Exceptional Entry Permit To Return To Qatar (2021 Guide)

What is Exceptional Entry Permit to Return to Qatar?

Exceptional Entry Permit to Qatar is a temporary service provided to the residents who are currently stuck abroad due to COVID-19. This article explains the step-by-step process to apply for a permit to return to Qatar.

Who needs an Exceptional Entry Permit?

Qatar residents who are currently outside Qatar and wish to return to the country needs an exceptional entry permit due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

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UPDATE ON 27 NOVEMBER 2020: Residents who are currently in Qatar and wish to travel and return will automatically receive an exceptional entry permit upon departure.

• The resident or their employer will be able to printout the exceptional entry permit from the Ministry of Interior’s website at any point after the resident has departed Qatar.
• Requests will no longer need to be submitted through the “Qatar Portal” website.
• The permit will be available automatically upon registration of the resident’s departure from Qatar.

Here are the details on How to get an Automatic Exceptional Entry Permit.

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Who can apply for an Exceptional Entry Permit?

The Return Permit applications can be made by:

• a) Employers (whether individuals or companies, government or private sector) to apply for an entry permit for their employees.
• b) Residents to apply for an entry permit for their family members.

Conditions for Entry to Qatar

For Qatar residents: If the residents travelled from a low-risk country, then only “Exceptional Entry Permit” is required. If travelling from other countries, residents will not be able to board a flight to Qatar without approved “Exceptional Entry Permit” and a confirmed 7 days hotel* quarantine package.

For Qatari nationals and Permanent Residency holders: They do not require an “Exceptional Entry Permit”. However, 7 days hotel quarantine reservation is needed when travelling from one of the other countries.

Note: The approved hotel should be booked before booking the ticket. To confirm the approved hotel booking, please visit the “Discover Qatar” website.

• Related: Complete Guide To Qatar Quarantine Rules

Home quarantine rules

Travellers returning from one of the countries on the list of low-risk countries are eligible for home quarantine.

Also, travellers from any country with a COVID-19-free certificate from one of the MOPH approved testing centres can be home quarantined.​​

The minimum period for home quarantine is seven days. You need to be tested at one of the health centres on the 6th day of home quarantine.

Exceptions allowed to have home quarantine instead of hotel quarantine

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

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

Procedure to Apply Exceptional Entry Permit to Return to Qatar

If this is the first time you are using Qatar Portal, you need to create a new account. Part 1 below explains the steps to create an account. (If you already have an account, you can directly go to Part 2).

Part 1: How to create a new account on Qatar Portal

To login to Qatar Portal, you need an account on the National Authentication System (Tawtheeq). Here is how to create a Tawtheeq account:

Step 1: Go to Register new account link on NAS website.

Step 2: Select Account Type

Choose “Qatar citizens and residents” (unless you are a visitor or business representative).

Step 3: Enter QID and Mobile Number

Click on captcha and then on “Continue”

Step 4: Enter the verification code received on mobile

After entering the verification OTP, click on “Continue”

Step 5: Fill in your personal details

Details include Nationality, Name, Date of Birth, Gender, National Address, P.O.Box and Email ID. Click “Continue”

Step 6: Set a password

Re-enter the password and click continue.

Step 7: Confirmation message

Your Tawtheeq account will be activated after this step.

Part 2: Apply for Exceptional Entry Permit on Qatar Portal

Step 1: Go to Qatar Portal webpage

Step 2: Click on “Apply for Exceptional Entry”

Step 3: Click on “Apply Online”

Step 4: Login to Qatar Portal using NAS login page

Enter username and password. Click on “Continue”

Step 5: Select Type of Application

If you are applying for Company Employee, you have to enter Establishment ID and Applicant QID.

If you are applying for Family, you can select either all family members or a specific person.

Read terms and conditions and prepare all required attachments before starting the application.

Step 6: Fill in the application details

Enter the application page and fill in the required information correctly and completely as shown in passport. Enter your email correctly to receive approval on your application.

Step 7: Once approved, the entry permit would be sent to your email

After approval of the application, you will receive an email containing a copy of the entry permit. The resident can also contact the employer to obtain a copy.

The time frame for approval varies from person to person. While some applicants were approved within days, some applicants need a few weeks to be approved.

The permit and quarantine undertaking sent to the email must be printed out to be presented to the airport officials.

How to Check Status of Qatar Exceptional Entry Permit

You can check the status of the application by logging into Qatar Portal (as done during the application process above) and clicking on “My Applications” button on the top right.

Alternatively, you may call the Government Contact Center on 109 inside Qatar or +974 44069999 outside the country.

Applying Entry Permit for Family Members

If the sponsor is in the country, he/she can apply for an entry permit for his/her family members directly through Qatar Portal.

If the sponsor is outside the country, he/she must obtain an entry permit from his/her employer first. Only after obtaining the permit, the sponsor can apply for his/her family members through Qatar Portal.

For newborns up to six months, a visa upon arrival will be granted. So it is not required to apply for an entry permit.

Exceptional Entry Permit Validity

The validity of the entry permit is one month (30 days) from the date of its issuance.

UPDATE ON 27 OCTOBER 2020: Exceptional Entry Permit for residents stuck abroad due to Covid-19 can now be extended for another 30 days. The extension of the entry permit can be done via Qatar Portal as explained below:

How to Apply for Extension of Exceptional Entry Permit

• Log in to your existing account on Qatar portal, and access “My Applications” screen.
• Click on “Extend Application” to extend the validity of the targeted permit.
• Pay appropriate fees if available (Depending on the duration of staying outside the country and the validity of Qatar Residence card).
• Print the permit that got automatically extended by the electronic system for 30 days and that includes the new expiration date.

Other Conditions

• The holder of the permit must download EHTERAZ application upon arrival.
• In the event that the resident is coming from a low-risk country, proof of stay for 7 consecutive days in the country from which the person is coming is required.
• The competent authorities reserve the right to accept or reject the permit application in accordance with the conditions and requirements of issuing the permits.
• The applicant must acknowledge that all data and information stated in the entry permit application are correct. If any discrepancy or misinformation is proved, legal liabilities for the same will apply, in accordance with the regulations and laws of the State of Qatar.
• Establishment data shall be updated at the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs before submitting the application.
• The Wage Protection System must be adhered to.
• There shall be existing projects and justifiable reasons for return.

Documents Needed At Airport

The following documents are needed at the airport:

1. Passport
2. Qatar residence card
3. Exceptional Entry Permit
4. Hotel quarantine undertaking
5. COVID examination certificate: In the event of coming from low-risk countries, a hard copy of the medical examination, conducted within a period not exceeding 48 hours in one of the accredited hospitals (if any), must be presented to concerned officials at the airport.
6. Copy of the hotel reservation for quarantine: In the event of coming from other countries, a hard or soft copy of the residence reservation must be submitted in one of the hotels approved for the quarantine.
7. Qatari and Permanent Residency holders and their families must complete and sign a Health Assessment Form. The form will be distributed among passengers by cabin crew onboard. On arrival back to Doha’s Hamad International Airport, the filled form must be submitted to the Medical team.

For more information, you can call on 109 inside Qatar or +974 44069999 outside Qatar.

You can also find more information on the MOPH website.

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FAQ on Qatar Exceptional Entry Permit

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