The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has explained the Covid-19 testing policy for different categories of travellers coming to Qatar.
1. Exceptional Red List (Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, South Sudan and Sudan)
* Fully vaccinated citizens:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival: conduct a PCR test within 36 hours of arriving in Qatar (all age groups).
Places to take a test (PCR): Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) health centres or private clinics/hospitals licensed by the MoPH to conduct this test.
* Unvaccinated citizens:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar.
After arrival: a PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the Covid-19 test is negative (all age groups).
Places to take a test (PCR): PHCC health centres or private clinics/hospitals licensed by the MoPH to conduct this test.
* Fully vaccinated residents of Qatar and GCC citizens:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival: the PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (all age groups).
* Unvaccinated residents of Qatar and GCC citizens:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival - a PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the Covid-19 test is negative (all age groups).
Places to take a test (PCR): the quarantine hotel.
* Fully vaccinated visitors to Qatar with pre-approved and on-arrival visas:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival: the PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (all age groups).
2. Exceptional Red List (Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe)
* Fully vaccinated and unvaccinated citizens:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar.
After arrival: in the case of home quarantine (all age groups), a PCR test is to be conducted on arrival in Qatar at one of the ports. Then, a PCR test will be performed on arrival on the sixth day and if a negative test result appears, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day.
In the case of hotel quarantine (all age groups), a PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival. Then, a PCR test will be performed on the sixth day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day.
* Fully vaccinated and unvaccinated GCC citizens:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival: a PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (all age groups). Then, a PCR test will be performed on the sixth day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day (all age groups).
* Fully vaccinated residents of Qatar:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival: the PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (all age groups). Then, a PCR test will be performed on the sixth day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day (all age groups).
Places to take a test (PCR): in case of hotel quarantine, it will be at the hotel concerned; and in case of home quarantine, it will be at PHCC health centres or private clinics/hospitals licensed by the MoPH to conduct this test.
* Unvaccinated residents of Qatar:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival: a PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (all age groups). Then, a PCR test will be performed on the sixth day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day (all age groups).
* Fully vaccinated visitors to Qatar with pre-approved and on-arrival visas:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival to Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival: a PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (all age groups). Then, a PCR test will be performed on the sixth day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day (all age groups).
3. Green List
* Citizens and residents of Qatar who are fully vaccinated, within or outside Qatar, with a vaccine approved by the MoPH, or who have a conditionally approved vaccine, or who have recovered from Covid-19 in Qatar and 14 days have passed from the date of recovery:
Before arrival, such travellers are exempted from requiring a negative PCR result within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar. Passengers with a conditionally certified vaccine must perform a Serology Antibody test before arriving in Qatar and if the passenger is unable to take the test in the country of departure, the passenger must undergo home quarantine for seven days.
After arrival, the following categories of travellers must undergo a PCR test within 36 hours of arriving in Qatar as follows: everyone aged 12 years and older; children four years and older accompanying one or both their parents who are fully vaccinated; children aged three years and below accompanying one or both parents who are fully vaccinated are exempt.
PCR tests can be done at PHCC health centres or private clinics/hospitals licensed by the MoPH to conduct this test.
* Citizens and residents of Qatar who are not vaccinated, ineligible for the vaccine or who have not completed the necessary vaccine doses:
Before arrival: undergo a PCR test with a negative result 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival: a PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the Covid-19 test is negative.
PCR tests can be done at PHCC health centres or private clinics/hospitals licensed by the MoPH to conduct this test.
* GCC citizens who are fully vaccinated, within or outside Qatar, with a vaccine approved by the MoPH, or who have a conditionally approved vaccine, or who have recovered from Covid-19 within a GCC country and 14 days have passed from the date of recovery, provided that one dose of an MoPH-approved vaccine has been given:
Before arrival: conduct a PCR test with a negative result within 72 hours before arrival to Qatar (all age groups). Children aged three years and below accompanying one or both parents who are fully vaccinated are exempt. Passengers with a conditionally certified vaccine must perform a Serology Antibody test before arriving in Qatar and if the passenger is unable to take the test in the country of departure, the passenger must undergo home quarantine for seven days.
After arrival: Not required.
* GCC citizens who are not fully vaccinated, ineligible for the vaccine or who have not completed the required vaccine doses:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups)
After arrival: a PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the Covid-19 test is negative.
PCR tests can be done at: in the case of hotel quarantine, it is the hotel concerned.
In the case of home quarantine, it will be at private clinics/hospitals approved by the MoPH to conduct this test.
* Visitors to Qatar with pre-approved and on-arrival visas, who are fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the MoPH or who have received one of the conditionally approved vaccines:
Before arrival: conduct a PCR test with a negative result within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups). Children aged three years and below accompanying one or both parents who are fully vaccinated are exempt.
Passengers with a conditionally certified vaccine must perform a Serology Antibody test before arriving in Qatar and if the passenger is unable to take the test in the country of departure, the passenger must undergo hotel quarantine for seven days.
After arrival: Not required
* Visitors to Qatar with pre-approved and on-arrival visas, who are not fully vaccinated or who have not completed the required vaccine doses:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (All age groups).
After arrival: a PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the Covid-19 test is negative.
PCR tests can be done at: in the case of hotel quarantine, it is the hotel concerned. In the case of home quarantine, it will be at private clinics/hospitals approved by the MoPH to conduct this test.
4. Red List
* Citizens and residents of Qatar who are fully vaccinated, within or outside Qatar, with a vaccine approved by the Ministry of Public Health, or who have a conditionally approved vaccine, or who have recovered from Covid-19 in Qatar and 14 days have passed from the date of recovery:
Before arrival: conduct a PCR test with a negative result within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups). Passengers with a conditionally certified vaccine must perform a Serology Antibody test before arriving in Qatar and if the passenger is unable to take the test in the country of departure, the passenger must undergo home quarantine for seven days.
After arrival: conduct a PCR test within 36 hours of arriving in Qatar (all age groups).
Places to take a test (PCR): PHCC health centres or private clinics/hospitals licensed by the MoPH to conduct this test.
* Citizens and residents of Qatar who are not fully vaccinated or ineligible for the vaccine or who have not completed the required vaccine doses:
Before arrival: conduct a PCR test with a negative result within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival: a PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the Covid-19 test is negative (all age groups)
Places to take a test (PCR): PHCC health centres or private clinics/hospitals licensed by the MoPH to conduct this test.
* GCC citizens who are fully vaccinated, within or outside Qatar, with a vaccine approved by the MoPH, or who have a conditionally approved vaccine, or who have recovered from Covid-19 within a GCC country and 14 days have passed from the date of recovery, provided that one dose of an MoPH-approved vaccine has been given:
Before arrival: conduct a PCR test with a negative result within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups). Passengers with a conditionally certified vaccine must perform a Serology Antibody test before arriving in Qatar and if the passenger is unable to take the test in the country of departure, the passenger must undergo hotel quarantine for seven days.
After arrival: conduct a PCR test at the quarantine hotel (all age groups).
* GCC citizens who are not fully vaccinated or who have not completed the required vaccine doses:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival: a PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the Covid-19 test is negative (all age groups).
Places to take a test (PCR): in the case of home quarantine, it will be at private clinics/hospitals approved by the MoPH to conduct the test. In the case of hotel quarantine, it will be at the hotel concerned.
* Visitors to Qatar with pre-approved and on-arrival visas, who are fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the MoPH or a conditionally approved vaccine:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups). Passengers with a conditionally certified vaccine must perform a Serology Antibody test before arriving in Qatar and if the passenger is unable to take the test in the country of departure, the passenger must undergo hotel quarantine for seven days.
After arrival: conduct a PCR test at the quarantine hotel (all age groups).
* Visitors to Qatar with pre-approved and on-arrival visas, who are not fully vaccinated or who have not completed the required vaccine doses:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival: a PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the Covid-19 test is negative (all age groups).
Places to take a test (PCR): in the case of home quarantine, it will be done at private clinics/hospitals approved by the MoPH to conduct the test. In the case of hotel quarantine, it will be done at the hotel concerned.
1. Exceptional Red List (Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, South Sudan and Sudan)
* Fully vaccinated citizens:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival: conduct a PCR test within 36 hours of arriving in Qatar (all age groups).
Places to take a test (PCR): Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) health centres or private clinics/hospitals licensed by the MoPH to conduct this test.
* Unvaccinated citizens:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar.
After arrival: a PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the Covid-19 test is negative (all age groups).
Places to take a test (PCR): PHCC health centres or private clinics/hospitals licensed by the MoPH to conduct this test.
* Fully vaccinated residents of Qatar and GCC citizens:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival: the PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (all age groups).
* Unvaccinated residents of Qatar and GCC citizens:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival - a PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the Covid-19 test is negative (all age groups).
Places to take a test (PCR): the quarantine hotel.
* Fully vaccinated visitors to Qatar with pre-approved and on-arrival visas:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival: the PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (all age groups).
2. Exceptional Red List (Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe)
* Fully vaccinated and unvaccinated citizens:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar.
After arrival: in the case of home quarantine (all age groups), a PCR test is to be conducted on arrival in Qatar at one of the ports. Then, a PCR test will be performed on arrival on the sixth day and if a negative test result appears, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day.
In the case of hotel quarantine (all age groups), a PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival. Then, a PCR test will be performed on the sixth day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day.
* Fully vaccinated and unvaccinated GCC citizens:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival: a PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (all age groups). Then, a PCR test will be performed on the sixth day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day (all age groups).
* Fully vaccinated residents of Qatar:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival: the PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (all age groups). Then, a PCR test will be performed on the sixth day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day (all age groups).
Places to take a test (PCR): in case of hotel quarantine, it will be at the hotel concerned; and in case of home quarantine, it will be at PHCC health centres or private clinics/hospitals licensed by the MoPH to conduct this test.
* Unvaccinated residents of Qatar:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival: a PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (all age groups). Then, a PCR test will be performed on the sixth day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day (all age groups).
* Fully vaccinated visitors to Qatar with pre-approved and on-arrival visas:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival to Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival: a PCR test will be done on the first day at the quarantine hotel after arrival (all age groups). Then, a PCR test will be performed on the sixth day and if the test result is negative, the person will be released from quarantine on the seventh day (all age groups).
3. Green List
* Citizens and residents of Qatar who are fully vaccinated, within or outside Qatar, with a vaccine approved by the MoPH, or who have a conditionally approved vaccine, or who have recovered from Covid-19 in Qatar and 14 days have passed from the date of recovery:
Before arrival, such travellers are exempted from requiring a negative PCR result within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar. Passengers with a conditionally certified vaccine must perform a Serology Antibody test before arriving in Qatar and if the passenger is unable to take the test in the country of departure, the passenger must undergo home quarantine for seven days.
After arrival, the following categories of travellers must undergo a PCR test within 36 hours of arriving in Qatar as follows: everyone aged 12 years and older; children four years and older accompanying one or both their parents who are fully vaccinated; children aged three years and below accompanying one or both parents who are fully vaccinated are exempt.
PCR tests can be done at PHCC health centres or private clinics/hospitals licensed by the MoPH to conduct this test.
* Citizens and residents of Qatar who are not vaccinated, ineligible for the vaccine or who have not completed the necessary vaccine doses:
Before arrival: undergo a PCR test with a negative result 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival: a PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the Covid-19 test is negative.
PCR tests can be done at PHCC health centres or private clinics/hospitals licensed by the MoPH to conduct this test.
* GCC citizens who are fully vaccinated, within or outside Qatar, with a vaccine approved by the MoPH, or who have a conditionally approved vaccine, or who have recovered from Covid-19 within a GCC country and 14 days have passed from the date of recovery, provided that one dose of an MoPH-approved vaccine has been given:
Before arrival: conduct a PCR test with a negative result within 72 hours before arrival to Qatar (all age groups). Children aged three years and below accompanying one or both parents who are fully vaccinated are exempt. Passengers with a conditionally certified vaccine must perform a Serology Antibody test before arriving in Qatar and if the passenger is unable to take the test in the country of departure, the passenger must undergo home quarantine for seven days.
After arrival: Not required.
* GCC citizens who are not fully vaccinated, ineligible for the vaccine or who have not completed the required vaccine doses:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups)
After arrival: a PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the Covid-19 test is negative.
PCR tests can be done at: in the case of hotel quarantine, it is the hotel concerned.
In the case of home quarantine, it will be at private clinics/hospitals approved by the MoPH to conduct this test.
* Visitors to Qatar with pre-approved and on-arrival visas, who are fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the MoPH or who have received one of the conditionally approved vaccines:
Before arrival: conduct a PCR test with a negative result within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups). Children aged three years and below accompanying one or both parents who are fully vaccinated are exempt.
Passengers with a conditionally certified vaccine must perform a Serology Antibody test before arriving in Qatar and if the passenger is unable to take the test in the country of departure, the passenger must undergo hotel quarantine for seven days.
After arrival: Not required
* Visitors to Qatar with pre-approved and on-arrival visas, who are not fully vaccinated or who have not completed the required vaccine doses:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (All age groups).
After arrival: a PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the Covid-19 test is negative.
PCR tests can be done at: in the case of hotel quarantine, it is the hotel concerned. In the case of home quarantine, it will be at private clinics/hospitals approved by the MoPH to conduct this test.
4. Red List
* Citizens and residents of Qatar who are fully vaccinated, within or outside Qatar, with a vaccine approved by the Ministry of Public Health, or who have a conditionally approved vaccine, or who have recovered from Covid-19 in Qatar and 14 days have passed from the date of recovery:
Before arrival: conduct a PCR test with a negative result within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups). Passengers with a conditionally certified vaccine must perform a Serology Antibody test before arriving in Qatar and if the passenger is unable to take the test in the country of departure, the passenger must undergo home quarantine for seven days.
After arrival: conduct a PCR test within 36 hours of arriving in Qatar (all age groups).
Places to take a test (PCR): PHCC health centres or private clinics/hospitals licensed by the MoPH to conduct this test.
* Citizens and residents of Qatar who are not fully vaccinated or ineligible for the vaccine or who have not completed the required vaccine doses:
Before arrival: conduct a PCR test with a negative result within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival: a PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the Covid-19 test is negative (all age groups)
Places to take a test (PCR): PHCC health centres or private clinics/hospitals licensed by the MoPH to conduct this test.
* GCC citizens who are fully vaccinated, within or outside Qatar, with a vaccine approved by the MoPH, or who have a conditionally approved vaccine, or who have recovered from Covid-19 within a GCC country and 14 days have passed from the date of recovery, provided that one dose of an MoPH-approved vaccine has been given:
Before arrival: conduct a PCR test with a negative result within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups). Passengers with a conditionally certified vaccine must perform a Serology Antibody test before arriving in Qatar and if the passenger is unable to take the test in the country of departure, the passenger must undergo hotel quarantine for seven days.
After arrival: conduct a PCR test at the quarantine hotel (all age groups).
* GCC citizens who are not fully vaccinated or who have not completed the required vaccine doses:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival: a PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the Covid-19 test is negative (all age groups).
Places to take a test (PCR): in the case of home quarantine, it will be at private clinics/hospitals approved by the MoPH to conduct the test. In the case of hotel quarantine, it will be at the hotel concerned.
* Visitors to Qatar with pre-approved and on-arrival visas, who are fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the MoPH or a conditionally approved vaccine:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups). Passengers with a conditionally certified vaccine must perform a Serology Antibody test before arriving in Qatar and if the passenger is unable to take the test in the country of departure, the passenger must undergo hotel quarantine for seven days.
After arrival: conduct a PCR test at the quarantine hotel (all age groups).
* Visitors to Qatar with pre-approved and on-arrival visas, who are not fully vaccinated or who have not completed the required vaccine doses:
Before arrival: conduct a negative PCR test within 72 hours before arrival in Qatar (all age groups).
After arrival: a PCR test is required on the sixth day of quarantine and the individual will be released on the seventh day if the result of the Covid-19 test is negative (all age groups).
Places to take a test (PCR): in the case of home quarantine, it will be done at private clinics/hospitals approved by the MoPH to conduct the test. In the case of hotel quarantine, it will be done at the hotel concerned.