Qatar Reopens Borders for Fully Vaccinated Travelers

Qatar has reopened its borders to international travelers. If you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with vaccines that are approved for use by the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar, you can now visit the peninsula in the Persian Gurf. The country has implemented new streamlined set of measures designed to make travelling to Qatar as easy as possible, while maintaining the necessary precautions. The new measures will allow people who are fully vaccinated to visit Qatar without the need for quarantine.

However, it is important to note that travelers should check the entry requirements of the country they are travelling from and will return to from Qatar, before booking any flights. These policies can change with very little notice and its possible that will not be allowed to return if Qatar is not considered a Covid-safe country.

In order to visit Qatar – international visitors, citizens and residents – must register and upload required documentation such as a vaccination certificate, valid PCR test up to 72 hours prior to travel, and personal details through the Ehteraz website (www.ehteraz.gov.qa). Travelers have to apply for the authorization through the Ehteraz website (free of charge) at least 12 hours before their planned departure to Qatar. All inbound travelers are advised to submit their application as soon as they have all their required documentation, to ensure they can board their flights as planned. Airlines are advised to only let passengers board who have a valid travel authorization for Qatar from the above effective date.

In addition, visitor visa rules apply for certain nationalities. Over 80 nationalities can visit Qatar with a free ‘visa on arrival’, including US citizens. Those requiring a visitor visa are advised to first obtain a visitor visa via: https://qatar.vfsevisa.com/Qatar-Online/QROnline/VisaCategoryAndPricingDetails/DisplayVisaCategoryAndPricingDetails/#no-back and then apply for their travel authorization on the Ehteraz website. Visitors will require a confirmed hotel booking to visit Qatar.

All travelers are required to download and activate the Ehteraz mobile app, which requires a domestic Qatari SIM card. A SIM card can be purchased from either Ooredoo or Vodafone on arrival at Hamad International Airport (HIA). Upon activation, visitors will be able to participate in public activities such as visiting malls, restaurants, museums, or using taxis or public transportation.