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Quarantine restrictions and travel policies

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The State of Qatar currently is allowing inbound travel to the country. Quarantine restrictions and travel policies continue to be reviewed based on public health indicators in the State of Qatar and around the world.

What is the current entry policy for Qatari citizens, their families, and permanent residency holders?

Qatari citizens, their spouses and children, and permanent residency holders can travel outside the country and return at any time, while adhering to all the procedures and according to the countries of arrival.

Patients receiving treatment abroad at the expense of the State of Qatar and their registered companions, and employees who are dispatched for work assignments, will be exempt from bearing the cost of the hotel, as the relevant body will cover the costs of the hotel quarantine if the traveller meets the conditions of the hotel quarantine, as explained in the statement.

What is the current entry policy for expatriates with a Qatari residency permit?

Those who are abroad but hold a Qatari residency permit have been able to enter since 1 August. In order to re-enter, one must apply for permission to return via the Qatar Portal website, where permission is granted based on priority. Only with approval can you then board a flight and enter Qatar.

What is the quarantine process like for those entering from abroad?

The government has compiled a list of low-risk countries that require their own quarantine process. Please note that this low-risk list is subject to change at any time and is reviewed every two weeks.

Arrivals to Qatar from low-risk countries

Arrivals to Qatar from countries not listed as low-risk, but with accredited COVID-19 testing facilities

Arrivals to Qatar from countries not listed as low-risk and without accredited COVID-19 testing facilities

Who is eligible for home quarantine upon returning to Qatar?

The following vulnerable group returning from travel (Qatari and Residents) and their immediate family members living in the same household, including their domestic helpers returning with them, are eligible for home quarantine, regardless of the country from which they arrived:

  • Persons aged 55 years old and above.
  • Recipients of an organ or bone marrow transplant.
  • Patients with hypertension who are on treatment.
  • Patients with conditions that require immune-suppressive treatment.
  • Patients with heart failure or coronary artery disease.
  • Patients with moderate to severe asthma.
  • Cancer patients with metastasis and those on treatment (Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy).
  • Pregnant women (any trimester).​
  • Nursing mothers with children aged 0-5 years.
  • Patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRD) or on dialysis.
  • Patients with CLD (Chronic Liver Disease) and decompensation.
  • Patients with lower-limb amputations.
  • People with disabilities where they are dependent on others for their activities of daily living.
  • Children with disabilities and their mothers.
  • Patients with epilepsy and on treatment.
  • Patients with diabetic foot infections.
  • People with deceased first degree relatives in the last 10 days.
  • People with mental health problems on antipsychotic medications and whose condition is aggravated by staying in closed spaces
  • Diabetic patients on treatment.​​
  • Minor travelers (below 18 years old) traveling without an accompanied guardian​.

What countries are categorised as “low-risk”?

 

What is the process for people who have obtained a COVID-free certificate from an accredited COVID-19 testing centre?

Those returning to Qatar who have obtained a COVID-free certificate from an accredited COVID-19 testing centre no more than 48 hours before travel will be able to sign a formal pledge to adhere to quarantine at home for a week.

After a week of self-quarantine, arrivals will need to go to a dedicated health centre for a COVID-19 test.

If the result is negative, the quarantine period ends and the traveller’s status on the Ehteraz application will change to green.

If the result is positive, the traveller will be transferred to government isolation facilities.

Can I still leave Qatar?

Yes, outbound flights are still running.

Is public transport open in Qatar?

Public transport, including the Doha Metro, public transit bus and Metrolink, have resumed operation. Metro and public transport services are operating at 30% capacity, with certain lines functioning. For more information, please visit the Ministry of Transport and Communications website.

What happens if I have an expired tourist visa?

Visitors in Qatar on tourist visas can stay in Qatar without extending their visas or paying a fee due to the unusual circumstances caused by COVID-19.

Once conditions have returned to normal and flights begin operation to the visitor’s country, the visitor will be granted a grace period to leave Qatar.

The same policy applies to those who were unable to renew their residency permit. Should the resident be outside the country with an expired residency permit, they can re-enter the State of Qatar, following approval from the Qatar Portal. This policy applies to residents whose permit has been expired for no more than 6 months.

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