Submission of applications for the 'Exceptional Entry Permit to Qatar' began on Saturday on the Qatar Portal website.
It is a temporary service provided to Qatar residents , who have been unable to return to the country because of the restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The service "allows employers, whether individuals or companies, government or private sector, to apply for an entry permit for residents and their family members holding QIDs to enable them to return to the State of Qatar".
A statement issued by the Government Communications Office last month had said residents would be allowed to return to Qatar from this month. Their entry would be organised based on a series of priorities, including public health indicators, the nature of the needs of the various government and semi-government sectors and humanitarian cases, and by submitting return requests for permits via the Qatar Portal website based on the above-mentioned priorities.
The validity of the entry permit is one month from the date of its issuance, according to information available on the website. In the event of expiration, a new application can be submitted.
The holder of the permit must download the Ehteraz application upon arrival.
In the event the resident is coming from a low-risk country, evidence of residence in that country for 72 hours or more must be attached to the application.
The competent authorities reserve the right to accept or reject the permit application in accordance with the conditions and requirements of issuing the permits.
The applicant must acknowledge that all data and information stated in the entry permit application are correct. If any discrepancy or misinformation is proved, legal liabilities for the same will apply, in accordance with the regulations and laws of Qatar.
People coming from low-risk countries should conduct a Covid-19 test at an approved hospital (if any) within a period not exceeding 48 hours from the date of departure, and submit a hard copy of the examination certificate upon arrival.
If the Covid-19 test was not conducted in the departure country, the test will be done at the airport upon arrival.
The applicant must upload proof of staying in a low-risk country for 72 hours or more. If the expatriate resides less than 72 hours in a low-risk country, they will be considered as coming from other countries (not low-risk) and will be treated accordingly.
Those coming from other countries (other than low-risk countries) should have a reservation in one of the hotels designated and approved for quarantine for one week from the date of arrival. They should undergo a Covid-19 test at the airport. In the event the result is positive, the expatriate will be directed for isolation. If it is negative, a compulsory period of one week has to be spent in the quarantine hotel.
Permit holders must adhere to hotel quarantine and all necessary procedures, including maintaining social distancing. In the event the resident fails to commit, the hotel quarantine will be extended for another seven days.
The permit will be automatically cancelled if there is a discrepancy in the data on the country of departure. This applies to people coming from low-risk as well as other countries.
The documents that residents must possess upon arrival at the airport are: passport, Qatar residence card, entry permit, hotel quarantine undertaking; Covid-19 examination certificate (hard copy) for those coming from low-risk countries.
The medical examination have to be conducted within a period not exceeding 48 hours at one of the accredited hospitals (if any).
To confirm the approved hotel booking, one has to visit the Discover Qatar website at https://www.discoverqatar.qa/welcome-home/
For more information, one can call 109 from within Qatar or +974 44069999 from outside the country.
Steps to apply
* Create a new account (https://www.nas.gov.qa/self-service/register/select-user-type?sp=MOTC-QSPORTS-PRD) on Qatar Portal or log in (https://portal.www.gov.qa/qsports-sp-nas/saml/sso?lang=en?lang=en) to your existing account (if available). "If the mobile is not under your ownership, your account will be created but not be active, and you have to contact the call centre to activate your account," according to information available on the registration page.
* Click on “Apply for Exceptional Entry Permit”.
* Read the terms and conditions and prepare all required attachments before starting the application.
* Enter the application page and fill in the required information correctly and completely as shown on the passport.
* Enter your email ID correctly to receive approval on your application.
* Print the permit and keep a copy of it and a copy of the quarantine undertaking to be presented to airport officials.
