If you are planning international travel by air, there is a chance you may require a COVID-19 PCR test for entry to your destination. Passengers to certain countries may be required to present a negative COVID-19 test result as a part of the entry requirements.
This article explains the procedure for getting an RT PCR test in Qatar. Also, you can see a list of private clinics and hospitals offering this service, the cost of PCR tests in Qatar, and the documents required for testing.
A COVID-19 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test is performed to detect genetic material from a specific organism, such as a virus. The test is used to directly detect the presence of an antigen and will show if a person has COVID-19.
1. COVID-19 Testing at Government Clinics
Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has stopped the provision of COVID-19 PCR swabs for people travelling abroad. Private sector hospitals will provide all COVID-19 PCR swabs for people travelling abroad.
2. COVID-19 Testing at Sidra Medicine
According to Sidra Medicine’s website, travel-related COVID-19 PCR testing is no longer offered at Sidra Medicine.
3. COVID-19 Testing at Private Clinics
How To Do PCR Test in Qatar for Travel
Step 1: Call the hospital or clinic to fix an appointment
Most private clinics in Qatar require you to call and make an appointment for an RT-PCR test. The clinic staff would give you an appointment depending on your travel date. Walk-in tokens are also available in some clinics but are not guaranteed.
Step 2: Visit the clinic with the required documents
The documents required for the RT PCR test in Qatar for travel are your Passport, Qatar ID, and a copy of the Flight Ticket.
Step 3: Go to the reception, take a token number and pay the fees
The Ministry has fixed the maximum fee for PCR testing at private clinics as QR 160, effective from 4th October 2021.
Type of Test | Cost Per Test |
PCR Test | QR 160 |
Rapid Antigen | QR 50 |
Serology Antibody test (point of care) | QR 50 |
Step 4: The medical staff will collect the swab and send it for testing
The staff will ask a few verification questions before swab collection. Then they would collect the swab from your nose and/or throat.
Swab collection involves inserting a long stick that looks like cotton buds into your nose and/or mouth. The swabs are then taken away securely for laboratory testing.
Usually private centres collect the swab and send it to Hamad Medical Corporation laboratories for testing.
Step 5: You will receive an SMS with the test result
You will receive an SMS after the swab is received and testing is done. Usually, the test result is available within 24-48 hours. Note that while you are awaiting the test results, your Ehteraz app may be showing grey colour.
If you are tested positive, you will be moved to an isolation facility or a designated treatment centre or instructed to do home quarantine depending on your symptoms.
If you are tested positive, the colour on your Ehteraz app would turn red. If the test result is negative the colour would change from grey to green.
Step 6: Collect the test certificate as advised by the clinic
In most cases, you can visit the clinic the next day to collect the test result certificate. Please ensure that the details on the test report (like your name, date of birth, date of the test, etc. are correct to avoid any issues during travel).
As per the protocol from HMC, a softcopy of the test result will not be considered a valid document. So you need to collect the hard copy from the concerned clinic.
Approved Covid Test Centers in Qatar
You can find a list of approved COVID test centers on the MOPH website.
4. Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT)
Private Medical Facilities: Rapid antigen tests are offered at over one hundred private hospitals and clinics across Qatar, priced at QR50 per test. Typically, results are available within 15 minutes of testing.
Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC): All 28 PHCC health centers provide rapid antigen tests. Results are delivered via SMS within two hours of testing, and the results are updated in the Ehteraz app.
5. Self-Testing With Rapid Antigen Kits
You can find self-testing rapid antigen kits at authorized pharmacies and Al Meera hypermarkets all over Qatar, priced at a maximum of QR35 each. Here’s when to use them:
- If you have mild or moderate COVID-19 symptoms, you can use these kits to check if you’re infected.
- Even if you don’t have symptoms but were in close contact with someone who tested positive, these kits can help you detect the virus early.
- Planning to visit a vulnerable friend or family member? Take a test beforehand to make sure you’re not carrying the virus.
- Before attending any social gatherings, use these tests to confirm your COVID-19 status and keep yourself and others safe.
With these self-testing kits, you can quickly and easily monitor your COVID-19 status in various situations, helping to prevent the spread of the virus.
At the Airport
If you are travelling to a country or using an airline that needs a pre-travel COVID-19 test, your airline will verify this information at check-in and retain a copy of the test result. Please have additional copies of the test result available with you for submission at departure and arrival airports.
In addition to a negative RT-PCR test result, many countries worldwide have specific regulations in place for arriving and departing passengers to limit the spread of COVID-19. Please ensure you understand how all these travel requirements affect you when planning your trip.
Dedicated COVID-19 Hotline
Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has a dedicated COVID-19 hotline 16000 to answer public queries regarding the disease. The Ministry urges individuals who display symptoms of COVID-19 to quickly contact the helpline.
The toll-free hotline is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is available in Arabic and English.
FAQ on Pre-Travel PCR Test in Qatar
Related Posts:
- How To Get Hamad Health Card in Qatar
- How To Renew Qatar Hamad Health Card Online
- How To Register For COVID-19 Vaccination in Qatar
- Guide To Tawtheeq National Authentication System
- How To Get Golden Frame on Ehteraz App
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Hi
I am British citizen & travelling from England to Doha on 10 March. I ll be in Doha at 7.30pm on 10 March. My next flight is for Pakistan on 12 March around 9pm.
Could you please advice me about the required tests for journey please.
Thanks
sir,I’m Rey ragas BABATUGOn I already exit to my company,teyseer security services,actually my flight Jan,11,2022 but the problem I failed the swab test result,now 3 days under quarantine in um salal isolation,when I releasing here,my problem I have no enought money to paying a swab test,because I already sending my money,into the phils,please give me and advice,thanks!!
Good morning,
11 th January i am giving sample for RTPCR test in lusail thru.12 th morning i get it SMS for negative report.I don’t have qatar ID.I have business visa how to print out the report.
Hi Syed,
You can directly go to health centre and show the sms that you received they will take print out and give to you.
Thanks for the reply, Mohammed.
Hi,
Can someone confirm whether visitors can use the Lusail drive through?
Thanks
Is the PCR valid after 72hrs. Bcuz I have to do the test 4 days prior to get the results.
Hi Rauf, For most countries, PCR is valid for 72 hours only. For some countries, it is 72 hours of departure while for some it is 72 hours of arrival. Nowadays you can get PCR results in 24-36 hours as there is not much rush.
Hi.
Thnx for the great article needed much at this tym.
I hv also cancelled two tickets as pcr reports took long time.
As u hv mentioned Lusail drive thru… Documents req…. medical card, ID card n ticket.
I am on visit visa… Dont have medical card.. I have only my passport, Ehteraz on mobile and my ticket.. Will i be allowed for the test??
Waiting in distress for you reply.
Any update if test taken for visit visa people??
I’ve canceled my ticket even after 72 hours ,not getting RTPCR report . I’ve checked in Sidra, there are full booked slots upto 16th. So please help me when can i go for RTPCR and where I’ve go as I’ve emergency case for travelling.
Hi Vishal, You can try the new Lusail Drive Through Center. They are giving results in 24-48 hours. Details are in the above article.