Health Insurance Scheme mandatory for visitors to Qatar from February 1
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has announced that the first phase of the Health Insurance Scheme for visitors to Qatar will begin from February 1, 2023, making it mandatory for all visitors to the country to have a health insurance policy.
First phase of the Mandatory Health Insurance Scheme in the State of Qatar pic.twitter.com/cbJ87IZIht
The ministry further stated that visitors eligible for an on arrival visa to Qatar at the various border crossings (airport, land and seaports) will be required to purchase a visitor insurance policy from insurance companies registered with the ministry prior to visit. The ministry noted that this was put in place to ensure speedy completion of all procedures during the visit.
The MoPH further noted the insurance policy for visitors will cover only accident and emergency services, with a premium of QAR 50 per month at the initial issuance and upon extension of the visa. Noting that visitors can obtain a health insurance policy that covers additional services, the ministry added that the premium for these policies will vary depending on the prices of the insurance companies.
Visitors to Qatar can choose one of the registered insurance companies from the MoPH website to obtain their insurance. The ministry reiterated the importance of having an insurance coverage when applying for a visit visa to Qatar, adding that it is one of the requirements for obtaining a visitor’s visa and the same procedure will follow during visa extension.
For visitors who hold international health insurance the ministry stated that:
- The insurance policy must be valid in Qatar
- The insurance policy must include Qatar
- The insurance policy must be valid during their stay in the country
- The insurance policy must be issued by one of the insurance companies approved in Qatar.
The Health Insurance Scheme which will be implemented in phases to ensure a smooth rollout is in accordance with Law No. (22) of 2021 regulating healthcare services within the State of Qatar, which stipulates that all visitors shall be covered by the mandatory Health Insurance Scheme.
The scheme was rolled out to ensure that Qatar’s population has continuous access to improved healthcare services while also regulating healthcare expenditures and health insurance.
The ministry has taken the necessary measures to ease out the insurance obtaining procedure for visitors to Qatar in the first phase of the scheme by listing out the insurance companies registered with the Ministry.
Click here for the list of insurance companies registered with the Ministry. Find more details about the procedure and insurance coverage here.
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