How To Get Travel Health Insurance For Visitors To Qatar?
Planning a trip to Qatar? From February 1, 2024, having Travel Health Insurance is a must for all visitors. Whether you’re seeking a visitor’s visa, such as the Qatar Family Visit Visa or the GCC Residents Visit Visa, insurance is essential. Even for stays under 30 days, securing travel insurance is strongly advised.
This mandatory health insurance policy aims to manage healthcare expenses and enhance the country’s healthcare services. It safeguards you against unexpected accidents or medical emergencies while in Qatar. The insurance provides coverage specifically for emergency and accident services and requires a monthly premium of QR50 upon visa issuance or extension.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to obtain the required health insurance for visiting Qatar, detail the approved insurance providers, discuss the costs involved, outline any exemptions, and offer useful tips. Let’s ensure you’re fully equipped for your trip to Qatar.
Law No. 22 of 2021 on Health Insurance
Qatar’s Law No. (22) of 2021 mandates that all travelers to Qatar must have Health Insurance. This legislation ensures that health insurance is a prerequisite for entering the country.
Under this law, Qatari companies are required to provide health insurance for their expatriate employees through private insurance providers (Article 11). For these foreign workers, renewing or extending work permits is contingent upon having valid health insurance coverage (Article 10).
Unlike expatriates, Qatari nationals are not obligated to rely on private health insurance companies. Instead, they are entitled to free healthcare services provided by the Qatari government, as specified in Article 6 of the law.
Mandatory Health Insurance for Qatar Requirement
As of February 1, 2023, all visitors to Qatar applying for a visa must obtain health insurance. This requirement extends to all categories of visit visas, including the Family Visit Visa, GCC Residents Visit Visa, and the Visa on Arrival. However, citizens of GCC countries are exempt from this health insurance mandate when visiting Qatar.
Why is Qatar implementing a health insurance scheme?
According to the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), ensuring the health and safety of tourists is a top priority. To protect visitors from unforeseen accidents and medical emergencies during their time in Qatar, the government has implemented crucial measures.
This initiative aims to regulate health insurance and foster ongoing improvements in healthcare. By establishing a sustainable and efficient healthcare system, the program seeks to manage healthcare costs effectively.
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How to Obtain Visitor Health Insurance for Qatar
When applying for or extending a visitor visa to Qatar, an additional step is required: securing health insurance.
Visitors Applying for a Visit Visa Online
When applying for a visit visa via the Metrash App, visitors will be directed to the Ministry of Public Health MOPH website. After fulfilling the necessary visa application steps, they can select an approved insurance provider from the list provided by the Ministry to purchase their visitor’s health insurance.
Once the insurance coverage is confirmed by the chosen provider, the Ministry of Interior will issue the relevant visit visa. The Health Insurance Policy will be accessible on the insurance provider’s website, allowing the visitor to download, print, and present it as required.
Visitors Who Are Eligible for a Visa On Arrival
To ensure a swift and smooth entry at any of Qatar’s border crossings whether by air, land, or sea—travelers are advised to secure their visitor insurance through the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) website before arriving. By following the outlined procedures in advance, tourists can expedite their arrival process at these entry points.
Health Insurance Approved by the MOPH
The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) website provides a list of approved insurance companies. Visitors can choose from any of these listed firms by following the links available on the MOPH website.
The following insurance firms are registered:
- Al Khaleej Takaful Insurance
- Beema Damaan Islamic Insurance Company
- Doha Insurance Group
- Doha Takaful
- General Takaful
- Insurance that is Islamic
- Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance Co.Q.P.S.C
- Qatar Insurance Company
- QLM Life & Medical Insurance Company
The Ministry of Public Health has declared that travelers with international health insurance must ensure their policy covers Qatar, remains valid for their entire stay, and is issued by one of the insurance providers approved in Qatar.
Prices of Visitor’s Health Insurance Policy:
The standard cost for a 30-day health insurance policy in Qatar is QAR 50. Visitors wishing to extend their visa beyond 30 days will need to buy additional health insurance. Various plans are available, with prices differing according to the specific insurance provider’s rates. It is important to note that if your stay is shorter than the length of your visa, the premiums paid for health insurance are non-refundable.
Exemptions and Recommendations
Travelers visiting Qatar for less than 30 days may be exempt from the mandatory health insurance requirement. Nevertheless, it is advisable to obtain health insurance even for short stays, as airline personnel may request it. If necessary, insurance can be purchased for QR 50. Typically, Australian citizens arriving on a visa on arrival basis for short visits do not require health insurance. For a clearer overview, here is a table summarizing exemptions and recommendations for health insurance when applying for a Qatar visit visa:
| Duration of Stay | Exemption from Health Insurance | Recommendation to Purchase Insurance |
| Less than 30 days | Yes | Recommended |
| Instant visa | Yes | Recommended |
| Australian citizens | Yes | Not usually required |
Please be aware that this table is provided for reference purposes only. Visitors are advised to regularly check the latest updates and requirements on the Government of Qatar’s website and Envoy’s website.
Health Insurance Validity Period
Validity Period of Health Insurance for Visitors to Qatar:
- The date of entry at any border serves as the commencement date for the visitor’s insurance.
- If a tourist opts to extend their stay in Qatar, they must purchase new health insurance coverage.
- Health insurance for tourists is valid for a minimum period of 30 days (approximately 4 and a half weeks); policies for shorter durations are not available.
- For single-entry visas, the basic visitor insurance ceases upon departure from Qatar, whether through air, sea, or land ports.
- Multiple-entry visas offer insurance coverage effective from the entry date until the policy expires.
Hayya Cardholders and their Companions:
Hayya cardholders and their companions must acquire visitor insurance plans that cover the remaining duration of their Hayya card entrance permit, which expires on January 24, 2024. For instance, if a Hayya cardholder plans to enter Qatar on March 1, 2023, they should purchase an insurance plan for 11 months. Similarly, if entering on April 1, 2023, they would need a 10-month insurance policy, and so forth.
Visitors from Abu Samra:
Apart from the mandatory health insurance, visitors arriving from Abu Samra must also obtain automobile insurance. This can be purchased online for convenience.
Coverage under the Visitor’s Health Insurance Policy
The mandatory health insurance for visitors covers only emergency medical procedures and accidents.
Emergency Medical Assistance:
The policy covers up to QAR 150,000 for emergency medical care, with a sub-limit of QAR 35,000 for emergency ambulance transportation within Qatar and any other required location.
Acceptance Criteria for International Health Insurance Companies:
1. In addition to the aforementioned insurance providers, Qatar MOI may consider certain foreign health insurance companies if they comply with the regulations set by the Ministry of Public Health:
2. It should be issued by one of the insurance providers listed by the Ministry of Public Health.
3. The coverage area should include the State of Qatar.
4. The insurance policy must be valid for the entire duration of the visitor’s stay in the country and should cover emergency services and accidents up to 150,000 Qatari Riyals per year, with no deductibles or additional charges.
5. The policy should also contain a QR code for verification purposes.
6. The insurance policy can either be uploaded to the Ministry of Interior’s website or presented in printed form to the authorized officer at the point of entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Exceptions to the Mandatory Health Insurance Requirement for Visitors to Qatar?
All visitors to Qatar must have health insurance, without any exceptions, when applying for a visa, regardless of the length of their stay.
Can Visitors Purchase Health Insurance From Any Insurance Company, or Are There Specific Approved Companies They Must Choose From?
Health insurance must be obtained from companies that are approved by the Ministry of Public Health. It is not permissible to purchase insurance from any company other than those on the approved list. Be sure to select from the list of approved providers.
Is the Cost of the Health Insurance Policy the Same for All Visitors, Regardless of Their Duration of Stay?
The price of the health insurance plan can fluctuate based on the pricing of the insurance company. Whether you are staying for a brief or extended period, the cost for a sole policy is QAR 50 (USD 13.73) for a 30-day period.
Conclusion
When planning a trip to Qatar beginning on February 1, 2023, it is crucial to take into consideration the recent implementation of mandatory health insurance. This initiative is intended to manage healthcare costs and enhance the overall quality of healthcare services.
The primary goal is to provide coverage for unforeseen accidents and medical crises while you are in Qatar. To adhere to the regulations and guarantee a smooth visit, it is essential to purchase health insurance for visitors from authorized insurance providers.
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