How to prepare your trip to Qatar under new travel rules
Exploring different cultures, food, people, and discovering the unknown: travel is a journey to yourself and an opportunity to get away from the bustle of everyday life.
Qatar has a diverse population and an experience unlike any other! There are several exciting activities for singles, families, and kids alike – from luxurious getaways to cheap thrills!
According to the Numbeo Crime Index by Country 2022, Qatar is ranked as the Safest Country and Doha the second-safest city. Moreover, the recent update of the Covid-19 travel and return policy ensures smooth entry for travelers into Qatar.
As you prepare to visit Qatar, we have compiled a list of the most important factors to consider when planning your trip under the new Covid-19 travel and return policy.
Plan your trip
Taking the time to carefully plan out your trip to a new country is extremely helpful. Although it can be exciting to explore a small country like Qatar without a proper plan, there are a few things to consider before visiting Qatar amidst the Covid-19 era.
Covid-19 Travel Policy
According to the country of departure, different health measures are applied. Red-listed countries require their citizens to adhere to red health measures, while non-red-listed nations follow standard health measures. Hence, it is vital to review the travel policies to determine what applies to you.
The red-listed countries include Bangladesh, Egypt, Georgia, India, Jordan, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, and Sri Lanka.
The standard health measures for travelers arriving from non-red listed countries are as follows: Vaccinated/recovered travelers are required to submit a negative pre-travel PCR lab result that must be valid for 48 hours from departure. However, they are exempted from quarantine, and a PCR test on arrival is optional.
Unvaccinated or non-immune travelers are required to submit a negative pre-departure PCR lab result that must be valid for 48 hours from departure time at the country of origin. A five-day hotel stay or home quarantine is offered to those with first-degree relatives (providing proof of residence and relationship), along with a rapid antigen test on the fifth day of quarantine.
A negative PCR test result and a one-day hotel quarantine are required of fully vaccinated or recovered travelers arriving from red-listed countries. A rapid antigen test will be performed following quarantine.
Unvaccinated and non-immune travelers arriving from a red list country cannot enter Qatar.
Ehteraz
Ehteraz is Qatar’s authorized health information app for COVID-19 - here is a short guide.
All travelers must adhere to downloading and activating the Ehteraz app to acquire entry to public places in Qatar.
Visa
Ensure that you comply with Qatar's visa requirements before you travel. More than 95 countries are eligible for visa-free entry into the State of Qatar, so chances are you won't need one.
Upon arrival in Qatar, eligible nationals do not require a visa beforehand and can obtain a visa waiver which is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance valid for a single trip or multiple trips, and be extended for a further 30 days.
Budget
With the legalities out of the way, we can now focus on the other aspects of your trip which you may want to plan ahead of time.
The budget depends entirely on what you are looking for. Qatar has a wide range of prices for almost everything, including affordable and expensive options. Hotels and accommodations are easily accessible and affordable.
Public transportation is the least expensive form of transport, and Qatar has experienced significant growth in recent years. However, the majority use private transport due to convenience.
Careem, the region’s leading multi-service platform, recently reduced its ride fares by 10% and is now an affordable alternative for private transport.
Nevertheless, we still recommend that you at least explore the metro, buses, trams, and upcoming water taxis in Qatar as these options are also reasonable and make for a great experience.
Things to do
Due to the recent decline in Covid-19 cases, most restrictions have been eased. Qatar has several exciting activities and events throughout the year – tourist attractions, unique infrastructures, and a range of fun activities such as paragliding, jet ski rides, camel rides, desert adventures, and much more!
The highly anticipated FIFA World Cup is getting closer and several other major sporting events are held throughout the year!
Is Qatar on your shortlist as a potential home? If so, then we have a guide on relocating to Qatar.
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