Doha Guides Team regularly reviews this article to ensure the content is up-to-date and accurate. The last editorial review and update were on 26 October 2022.
According to the announcement by Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), on 8th May 2021, citizens of GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Araba and UAE) are now allowed to enter the State of Qatar at any time provided they follow the travel and return policy. Similarly, GCC residents with eligible professions can get visas on arrival.
This article explains the mandatory travel and quarantine rules for GCC citizens and residents to enter Qatar.
If you are a GCC resident and citizen of an eligible country, please read this article on Qatar’s visa-on-arrival scheme.
26 OCT 2022 UPDATE: As per the latest travel policy announced by Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), pre-travel and post-travel COVID testing and Ehteraz pre-registration are not required from 1 November. The Ehteraz mobile app is only required for entering public and private healthcare facilities.
21 SEP 2022 UPDATE: From 1 November to 23 December 2022, visitors’ entry into the State of Qatar will be restricted to holders of Hayya Card only. Visit visa services will be suspended during this period. The following categories will be excluded from the Hayya Card requirement:
– Qatari citizens, residents and GCC citizens holding a Qatari ID card
– Holders of personal recruitment visas and work entry permits
– Humanitarian cases through the airport (based on the approval from the official application platform)
Travel Requirements for GCC Residents
According to the MOPH travel and return policy, GCC citizens, their families, and their household workers are allowed to enter the State of Qatar anytime, provided they follow the travel and return policy.
Quarantine Rules for GCC Citizens
After 4 September 2022, quarantine is no longer mandatory for all travellers from abroad.
Ehteraz Pre-Registration for GCC Citizens
After 1 November 2022, Ehteraz pre-registration is no longer mandatory for all travellers from abroad.
Immunity Status
Covid vaccination / Immunity status is not a requirement for entry to Qatar.
Visitors who received any COVID-19 vaccine recognized in Qatar with at least 14 days since the last dose and present an official vaccination card or certificate are considered immune.
Only the following vaccines will be accepted by Qatar’s MOPH:
- Pfizer BioNTech (two doses)
- Moderna (two doses)
- AstraZeneca/Covishield (two doses)
- Janssen/Johnson & Johson (one dose)
- Sinopharm, Sinovac, Sputnik V and Covaxin are conditionally approved vaccines*.
*Serology Antibody test with a positive result is mandatory before travelling to Qatar for people with two doses of conditionally approved vaccines and 14 days after the second dose, in which case only the traveller will be considered fully immune. People who have received two doses of a conditionally approved vaccine followed by one dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and after 14 days from the last dose will be considered fully immune.
Travellers must present an official vaccination certificate with a valid QR Code that includes the following information:
- Name of the recipient as mentioned in their passport
- Vaccination date is clearly written as 1st and/or 2nd dose
- Type/Name of vaccine
- Serial number of the vaccine batch (if available)
Immunity Status For Previously Infected Persons
Anyone who had a medically confirmed COVID-19 infection acquired either locally or overseas is considered to have immune status valid for twelve (12) months from the date of the infection. There should be an official and verifiable laboratory test result as evidence of the past infection.
Please see the MOPH website for the latest updates. As the rules can be revised at any time, we strongly recommend you check this regularly for any changes that may affect your plans.
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Sources: MOPH, Ministry of Interior, Discover Qatar
