COVID-19 travel restrictions: Qatar

This article was published on May 5, 2022, and all the information in the article is correct as of this time. Before you book your trip, we highly recommend that you also check official sources for the most up-to-date travel requirements, as they are subject to constant change.

Can I enter Qatar?

As of April 2022, Qatar is open for tourism to travelers from all over the world. Take your time to learn the information presented below to determine what COVID-19 requirements you have to follow.

Qatar currently divides travelers into two groups:

Visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (please find the list below)
Visitors from all other countries

Can I enter Qatar if I am vaccinated?

You can enter Qatar if you are vaccinated. You are considered fully vaccinated at least 14 days after administering the last dose of the vaccine.

As of April 2022, the following vaccine drugs are approved in Qatar:

Pfizer / BioNTech (Comirnaty)
Moderna (SpikeVax)
AstraZeneca (Covishield / Oxford / Vaxzevria)
Jansen / Johnson & Johnson (only one dose)

All approved vaccines are valid in Qatar for nine months after the second dose and twelve months after the booster dose.

And the following vaccine drugs are conditionally approved:

Sinopharm
Sinovac
Sputnik V
Covaxin

What do “conditionally approved” vaccines mean? It means that:

The validation after the second and booster dose is limited to six months
A positive serology test result showing COVID-19 antibodies is required for people vaccinated with a conditionally approved vaccine. The test is valid for 30 days.

If the person gets the booster dose with vaccines approved in Qatar, the vaccination status is extended to twelve months, and a serology antibody test is not required.

Travel documents if you are vaccinated or recovered

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens and visitors

GCC includes the following countries:

Please, present the following documents:

A PCR test result taken within 48 hours before arrival or a rapid antigen test taken in a private clinic within 24 hours before arrival
A vaccination certificate or proof of recovery (valid for 12 months from the date of infection)

Visitors from all other countries

This section covers tips for travelers from all non-GCC countries.

They have to present:

A PCR test result taken within 48 hours before arrival
A vaccination certificate or proof of recovery (valid for 12 months from the date of infection)

Residents of a GCC country or EU nationals/residents who travel from other foreign countries can be exempt from a pre-travel PCR test. However, a rapid antigen test in a private clinic within 24 hours before arrival is mandatory in this case.

Red Health Measures countries

The list of Red Health Measures includes the following countries:

Visitors from Red Health Measures countries need to present

A PCR test result taken within 48 hours before arrival
A vaccination certificate or proof of recovery (valid for 12 months from the date of infection)

Can I enter Qatar if I am unvaccinated and unrecovered?

Most unvaccinated travelers can enter Qatar.

Travel documents if you are unvaccinated

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens and visitors

A PCR test result taken within 48 hours before arrival

This applies to travelers from:

Visitors from all other countries

This rule is valid for travelers from all non-GCC countries.

They have to present:

A PCR test result taken within 48 hours before arrival

Visitors from Red Health Measures countries

Please note that unvaccinated travelers from Red Health Measures countries are prohibited from entering Qatar.

Exemption: only unvaccinated residents and citizens of GCC countries can enter Qatar if they arrive from Red Health Measures countries.

Can I leave Qatar?

Currently, there are no tight restrictions on leaving Qatar. Both vaccinated, and unvaccinated travelers can depart from Qatar.

Travel documents if I am vaccinated

A document confirming vaccination

In addition, please check the requirements concerning COVID-19 tests for vaccinated travelers of the destination country in advance.

Travel documents if I am unvaccinated

If you are unvaccinated, please present one of the following documents:

A certificate of recovery from COVID-19 (no more than 180 days old before the day of crossing the border of a particular country)
A negative COVID-19 test result (the relevant period and kind of test may vary, please check the requirements of the destination country)

The measures applied to Qatari citizens and residents coming back to Qatar

If vaccinated or recovered Qatari citizens and residents come back from countries that are not in Red Health Measures, they have to:

Undergo a rapid antigen test within 24 hours after arrival

If unvaccinated Qatari citizens and residents come back from countries that are not in Red Health Measures, they have to:

Undergo a home quarantine for five days
Take a rapid antigen test on the fifth day

If vaccinated or recovered Qatari citizens and residents come back from countries that are in Red Health Measures, they have to:

Undergo a rapid antigen test within 24 hours after arrival

If unvaccinated Qatari citizens and residents come back from countries that are in Red Health Measures, they have to:

Get a PCR test 48 hours within departure to Qatar
Undergo a hotel quarantine for five days
Take a rapid antigen test on the fifth day

COVID-19 situation in Qatar currently

As of April 2022, the COVID-19 situation in Qatar is moderate.

FAQs

Is it safe to travel to Qatar right now?

Your travel to Qatar will be safe if you abide by the main COVID-19 regulations. Here are some of them:

Wearing masks indoors is mandatory
Keeping social distance depending on the venue and capacity

Is Doha open for travel?

Doha is open for travelers now. Nevertheless, please abide by all the nationwide COVID-19 restrictions while staying in the capital.

Do I have to quarantine if I go to Qatar?

Quarantine restrictions depend on your vaccination status and country of departure.

GCC citizens and visitors arriving from countries not in Red Health Measures

Vaccinated and recovered travelers are exempt from the quarantine.

Unvaccinated travelers have to:

Undergo a mandatory quarantine for five days in a hotel or at home
Take a rapid antigen test on day five

GCC citizens and visitors arriving from countries that are in Red Health Measures

Both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers have to:

Get a PCR test within 48 hours before departure to Qatar
Undergo a hotel quarantine for one day (vaccinated and recovered) or five days (unvaccinated)
Take a rapid antigen test on the last day of quarantine

Visitors arriving from other countries

Vaccinated and recovered travelers are exempt from the quarantine.

Unvaccinated travelers have to: