How To Do PCR Test in Qatar for Travel

Updated on 1 March 2023 / By / 49 Comments

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.

Table Of Contents
  1. COVID-19 Testing at Government Clinics
  2. Where to Get the Fastest RT-PCR Test Result in Qatar?
  3. COVID-19 Testing at Private Clinics
  4. List of Approved Covid Test Centers in Qatar for Travel
  5. At the Airport
  6. Dedicated COVID-19 Hotline
  7. FAQ on Pre-Travel PCR Test in Qatar

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.

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.

Where to Get the Fastest RT-PCR Test Result in Qatar?

If you are looking for urgent testing for travel purposes, Sidra Medicine, a member of the Qatar Foundation, is one of the fastest private COVID-19 PCR testing centres in Qatar. They are offering the following packages:

QR 160 – Limited SlotsResults in 18 hours
QR 225Results in 8 hours
QR 660Results in 3 hours

Sidra does not accept walk-ins or provide in-person registrations. So you must make an online appointment for your COVID-19 tests at Sidra. Here is the link to make an online appointment at Sidra.

  • Location: Tower A, Mall level, Next to QNB
  • Timings: 7.30 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.

After your PCR result is ready, it may take more than 24 hours for your result to be reflected in Ehteraz. You will receive an SMS from Sidra Medicine on your registered mobile number with your test results.

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.

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.

PCR Test in Qatar -Swab Collection

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.

Cost of PCR Test in Qatar Private Clinics

4 OCTOBER 2021 UPDATE: The Ministry of Public Health has announced that the price for RT-PCR Tests at Government and Private Clinics will be fixed at a flat rate of QR160 starting from 4th October 2021.

List of Approved Covid Test Centers in Qatar for Travel

PCR Test Centers in Qatar: Below is the list of private health facilities in Qatar (in alphabetical order) accredited to conduct PCR tests (Updated 22 August 2021):

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.

READ NEXT: Ehteraz App Installation And Trouble Shooting

Copyright © DohaGuides.com – Full or partial reproduction of this article is prohibited.

FAQ on Pre-Travel PCR Test in Qatar

Where can I do the RT-PCR Test in Qatar?

From 4th April 2021, RT-PCR tests for travel can be done only at private clinics/hospitals approved by the Ministry of Public Health.

How much is the cost of the RT-PCR Test in Qatar?

At private clinics, the price is fixed at QR 160 with effect from 4th October 2021.

How much time is required to get the RT-PCR test result?

The entire process, from sample collection to results, can take between 24 to 48 hours in normal cases.

Would I lose my ticket price if my RT-PCR test result is positive?

If the test result is positive, you would not be allowed to travel. Most airlines will refund a portion of your ticket price or allow you to rebook for a different date by paying the cancellation charge.

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49 thoughts on “How To Do PCR Test in Qatar for Travel”

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  1. Rajesh Saud

    One of my friend going to travel to Nepal tomorrow at 7:30 am he has done PCR by 1 January 7:30 pm but until now he didn’t get report and they said come tomorrow morning by 8:00 am the problem is he has ticket already.. plz need useful support…thank you

    Reply
    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Rajesh, Unfortunately, all testing centres are busy nowadays and it is taking up to 3 days for results. Many travellers had to cancel or reschedule flights due to this.

      Reply
  2. Shahid

    Hi,
    I’m planned to travel to India on Jan 5th but my RTPCR result is positive now, so when I can take the next test for travel?
    Is it any possibility to get negative result on after 14 Days Quarantine??

    Reply
  3. Lorna O’Brien

    Hi
    I’m in Doha for 14 hours and I’m going out into Doha for the day.
    I’ll have a valid RT-PCR from Australia when I arrive, however, I have read that I cannot use the same RT-PCR test in Dubai, my final destination.
    Is there a fast turnaround RT-PCR testing facility in Doha (airport?) that I can use at Dubai immigration ?
    Appreciate your thoughts.
    Lorna

    Reply
    1. Alla

      In airport not possible. And fastest where you can do PCR test for traveling ONLY Sidra hospital. You have to book and pay online in advance , no walk in. Less than 3 hours 660 QR ( approximately 200 $ ), 6-8 hours 300 QR and 24 hours 160 QR.

      Reply
        1. Doha Guides Team

          Hi Ahmad Abuajineh, For the fastest test result you have to go to Sidra. Please check if they can provide result in 8 hours.

    2. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Lorna, As per the HIA website, PCR tests are currently not offered to transiting passengers until further notice. Please double-check if you can use the same result in Dubai.

      Reply
  4. Marlinda Honkanen

    hello,
    we have plan to travel from finland to the philippines and be transiting Doha is their a need to have pt-pcr test when transiting Doha? Our plan is by January next year please help because in Philippine they don`t need one because they will swab at the airport upon arrival.

    Reply
    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Marlinda, Normally it is not needed for transit passengers. But, please check with your airline if pre-travel RT-PCR is required in your case.

      Reply
  6. Kishore K Sinha

    I am staying in Hotel Dusit Doha. I am travelling to US after a few days. Is there any lab which can collect the swab for PCR test before travel ? I don’t have local sim. Is it necessary to have a lical SIM card for the test? Kindly inform/ advise

    Reply
  7. Hetav Raval

    Hello there,

    My wife is travelling to Doha on August 13 from India and she will be quarantine for 10 days. She has her flight from Doha to canada on August 24 at 1:40am. She needs to get tested prior to boarding her flight on Aug 24 and she will be out of quarantine on Aug 23 around 12 in noon. Is it anyhow possible that any private clinic can come to quarantine facility to take her test sample for RT PCR so that she can have her result on time as she will not be able to leave hospital before 10 days period and she will only have 13 bourse time window after being discharged from quarantine facility. Can someone please help us out ? Much appreciated. Thank you.

    Reply
  8. Medini

    What are the payment options available in Qatar? How can I pay for RT PCR test and other expenses in Qatar?
    I am planning to take Thomas Cook forex card is that acceptable in most off the hotel and hospitals?

    Reply
  9. CHINTAN ASHWINBHAI PATEL

    Is there any RT-PCR collecting clinic on Doha airport. as I’m a international student and I’m going to Canada via Qatar.

    Reply
    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Chintan, As per HIA website PCR tests are currently not offered to transiting passengers until further notice.

      Reply
  10. SHANTANU CHATTERJEE

    I have booked for a RT-PCR test at Sidra to travel to Geirgia. Now rules have changed and fully vaccinated passengers do not need a test. Will my money be reimbursed ?

    Reply
  11. Pravina Sivasankarganesh

    If I am a passenger transiting via Qatar and the destination country makes it mandatory to do a pre-departure PCR test, how to handle the situation? Do they have facility at the airport to enable transit passengers to get test done before taking their flight out?

    Reply
  12. Anju Akalanka Madawala

    Any place to do the test and collect with in 24 hours.i am transiting to a another airline and they need pcr test before 72 hours.for that i need to take the test report at least within 36 hours

    Reply
    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Anju, Yes, it may be possible if you can do the test early morning. Please call the clinics directly to check.

      Reply
  13. Chitharanjandas

    I have done 2 rtpcr test but the result is reactive. Last 14 days I am in alone for quarantine. Now ethiraz color also change. Next what?

    Reply
    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Issa, PCR test can be done from any private clinic in the above list. Now the standard rate is QR 300 at all clinics.

      Reply
  15. Ryan

    I recently did a PCR Swab test, but I was also chewing gum. I asked the staff member whether the chewing gum will affect the test, he said that he didn’t know. I am flying on the 12th. I am also fully vaccinated. Should I be worried? Will the result be invalid? I am afraid that I will not be able to fly.

    Reply
  16. Emir

    Hello team, if I am flying 14th in the morning when do i have to do test? 12th in the morning or earlier? As I understood ehteraz will change colour, without green ehteraz i cant enter Airport and how many hours will take to change to green. what about certificate- 72 hours will be counted after we got certificate or from time when we did the test?
    thank you very much
    P.S. earlier then 12th morning my certificate will be expired when i will arrive to designated country.

    Reply
    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hello Emir, For almost all countries, the test must be conducted within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of your last direct flight (please confirm with your destination country’s immigration or airline website). It means that if your flight is at 6 am on 14th April, you can do the test after 6 am on 11th April. You can do it on the 12th also but note that the test result will take 24 hours (on average). So it is better to do it as early as possible but within the 72-hour frame. 72 hours will be counted from the time you took the test.

      Reply
  17. Saurabh

    I don’t have the Health card, but i applied on Nar’aakom site, got my health card number online.
    If I want to do PCR test where i have to go.
    Does this health card number work without printing the health card.

    Reply
    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Saurabh, The health card number would be fine. But please note that PHCC has stopped doing PCR Tests for travel. Now you can do it only at private clinics. Please read the updated article above.

      Reply
      1. reny

        hii is that all the traveler need to be done with pcr test ?? or just some destination need showing pcr test

        Reply
    1. Doha Guides Team

      Hi Mashhod, You have to do the test 72 hours before travel. The test result is usually available within 24 hours.

      Reply
  19. Umesh

    I dnt have health card and i have only health card number which they gave me while taking vaccine after paying 100riyal
    I am traveling this month i need pcr test so can they will allow me to do free pcr test after showing them my health card number.. reply please

    Reply
  20. Darcy

    We just called 107 to inquire about an appt (Saturday, March 20 at 7:50 PM). The person who answered said they do not make appointments for the PCR test and that you have to walk in for the testing?? How do we confirm what is the actual process?

    Reply
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