How To Get Travel Health Insurance For Visitors To Qatar?
Are you planning a trip to Qatar? Starting from February 1, 2023, visitors to Qatar are required to have Travel Health Insurance. If you are applying for a visitor’s visa, you must have health insurance. This applies to all types of visit visas, like the Family Visit Visa or the GCC Residents Visit Visa. Even if you are staying less than 30 days, it’s highly recommended to have travel insurance.
The goal of this mandatory scheme is to regulate healthcare costs and improve the healthcare system. It protects you in case of accidents or medical emergencies during your stay. This insurance covers just emergency and accident services and has a monthly payment of QR50 once the visitor’s visa is issued or when extended.
In this article, we’ll cover how to get mandatory health insurance for visitors to Qatar, the approved companies, the cost, exemptions, and recommendations. So, let’s make sure you’re prepared for your upcoming visit to Qatar.
Law No. 22 of 2021 on Health Insurance
- Qatar’s Law No. (22) of 2021 regulating healthcare services in Gytar stipulates the requirement of Health insurance to travel to Qatar.
- The law requires Qatari companies to give health insurance coverage to their foreign national workers who live and work in the country through private insurance companies. (Art. 11.)
- Foreign nationals’ work permits cannot be extended or renewed without proof of health insurance coverage. (Art. 10.)
- In contrast to foreign nationals, Qatari citizens are not forced to use services provided by commercial health insurance firms under Law No. 22 but are entitled to free healthcare services from the Qatari government. (Art. 6.)
Mandatory Health Insurance for Qatar Requirement
All travellers to Qatar who applied for a visitor’s visa after 1 February 2023 are obliged to purchase health insurance. This is required for all types of visit visas, including the Family Visit Visa, the GCC Residents Visit Visa, and the Visa On Arrival. While GCC citizens are spared from the health insurance requirement during their visit to Qatar.
Why is Qatar implementing a health insurance scheme?
The health and well-being of tourists are of the utmost concern, according to MOPH. As a result, the government has put in place the essential measures to safeguard visitors from accidents and medical emergencies during their stay. The program intends to control health insurance and assure continual improvements by developing a sustainable and effective healthcare system and managing healthcare expenses.
How to Obtain Visitor Health Insurance for Qatar
To obtain health insurance for your visit to Qatar, you will need to go through an additional step in the visitor visa application or extension process.
Visitors Applying for a Visit Visa Online
- Visitors using the Metrash App to apply for a visit visa will be forwarded to the MOPH website.
- After completing all other applicable visa procedures, they can choose one of the insurance providers registered with the Ministry to acquire the visitor’s medical insurance.
- The Ministry of Interior will grant the relevant visit visa after the insurance coverage is issued by the chosen insurance company.
- The visitor will obtain the Health Insurance Policy from the insurance providers’ websites. The policy can be printed, saved, and presented as needed.
Visitors Who Are Eligible for a Visa On Arrival
To guarantee a rapid completion of your processes upon arrival at all of the border crossings (airport, land, and seaports), tourists are requested to obtain visitor insurance coverage through the MOPH website before arriving at these ports and following the same protocols described.
Health Insurance Approved by the MOPH
The registered insurance firms are published on the website of the Ministry of Public Health. Visitors can select any of the mentioned insurance firms by using the links 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 stated that tourists who have foreign health insurance must also include Qatar, must be valid throughout their stay in the country, and must be supplied by one of the insurance firms permitted in Qatar.
Prices of Visitor’s Health Insurance Policy:
- Health insurance for visit visa in Qatar price is QAR 50.
- The regular price for a single health insurance policy for 30 days (about 4 and a half weeks) will be QAR 50.
- A traveller must purchase extra health insurance to extend a visit visa beyond 30 days.
- Travellers can also purchase extra health insurance plans, with varying rates based on the insurance company’s costs.
- If the duration of the stay is shorter than the duration of the visa, health insurance premiums cannot be repaid.
Exemptions and Recommendations
Visitors to Qatar may be exempt from the mandatory health insurance requirement if their stay is less than 30 days. However, it is highly recommended to purchase health insurance even for short trips as some airline staff may ask for it. If insisted, insurance can be purchased for QR 50. Australian citizens, who can get a visa on arrival, usually do not need health insurance for short-duration trips. To provide a clearer understanding, here is a table that summarizes the exemptions and recommendations for Qatar visit visa insurance:
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 note that this table is for reference purposes only, and visitors should always check the latest updates and requirements on the Government of Qatar’s website and Envoy’s website.
Health Insurance Validity Period
- Health Insurance Validity Period for Visitors to Qatar
- The visitor’s entrance date at any border is the date of commencement of insurance.
- If the tourist chooses to prolong his or her stay in the State of Qatar, a new health insurance coverage must be purchased.
- The tourist’s insurance coverage has a minimum period of 30 days (about 4 and a half weeks); a policy with a shorter duration cannot be purchased.
- In the situation of a single-entry visa, the basic visitor insurance package expires upon exiting the State of Qatar whether it’s air, sea, or land port.
- For multiple-entry visas, there is insurance coverage that is effective from the date of entrance until the policy expires
Hayya Cardholders and their Companions:
Hayya cardholders and their companions must get visitors’ insurance plans that cover the remaining duration of the Hayya card entrance permit, which expires on January 24, 2024. For example, if a Hayya Cardholder intends to join the State of Qatar on March 1, 2023, he or she should buy an insurance plan for 11 months, and if intends to enter Qatar on April 1, 2023, he or she needs to purchase an insurance policy for 10 months, and so on.
Visitors from Abu Samra:
In addition to the mandatory Health Insurance, visitors from Abu Samra must get automobile insurance. Vehicle insurance may be purchased online.
Coverage under the Visitor’s Health Insurance Policy
Visitors’ compulsory health insurance is limited to covering emergency medical procedures and accidents.
Emergency Medical Assistance:
• Up to QAR 150,000 throughout the policy and inside the State of Qatar.
• Emergency medical care with a sub-limit of QAR 35,000 includes Emergency ambulance transportation inside Qatar and anywhere necessary.
COVID-19 and Quarantine:
• Sub-limit up to QAR 50,000.
• Treatment of Covid-19 in positive cases.
• The cost of quarantine (for confirmed illnesses) could exceed QAR 300 per day.
Repatriation:
If a tourist dies within the State of Qatar, the expense of repatriation will be covered up to a maximum of QAR 10,000.
Is there a waiting time before this policy is activated?
No, the visitor’s health insurance coverage will not have a waiting period.
Is there a copayment or deductible related to this policy?
According to the terms and conditions of the tourist’s health insurance policy, no copayment or deductible will be paid for any covered services.
In the event of an emergency, what should I do?
You can go to a service provider who is part of the insurance company’s network. The policyholder can contact the registered insurance company for assistance in locating the nearest treatment centre that can offer the necessary care.
Acceptance Criteria for International Health Insurance Companies:
Besides the above insurance providers, Qatar MOl may accept some foreign health insurance companies if the following rules and regulations established by the Ministry of Public Health are met:
1. Must be granted by one of the insurance providers on the Ministry of Public Health’s authorized list.
2. The State of Qatar is included in its geographical coverage.
3. It must be valid and cover the duration of the visitor’s stay in the country.
4. To pay for emergency services and accidents up to 150,000 Qatari Riyals per year, with no deductibles or surcharges.
5. Must Include a QR code.
The policy can be posted to the Ministry of Interior’s website or printed and shown to the designated officer at the point of entry.
Helpline for MOPH
If you have any questions concerning the required health insurance coverage, please call the MOPH Helpline at 16000 (from inside Qatar). The first extension is for health insurance.
International tourists can contact the hotel at 00974-44069963.
Email your complaint to [email protected].
We hope you found this information useful! Please contact us if you have any more queries concerning health insurance for tourists to Qatar. We’d be delighted to assist you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Exceptions to the Mandatory Health Insurance Requirement for Visitors to Qatar?
There are no exceptions to the mandatory health insurance requirement for visitors to Qatar. All visitors applying for a visa must have health insurance policies, regardless of the duration of their stay.
Can Visitors Purchase Health Insurance From Any Insurance Company, or Are There Specific Approved Companies They Must Choose From?
You must purchase health insurance from specific approved companies listed by the Ministry of Public Health. It is not possible to buy insurance from any company. Ensure you choose from the approved list.
Is the Cost of the Health Insurance Policy the Same for All Visitors, Regardless of Their Duration of Stay?
The cost of the health insurance policy may vary depending on the insurance company’s prices. Whether you stay for a short period or longer, the premium for a single policy is QAR 50 (USD 13.73) for 30 days.
What Happens if a Visitor’s Stay in Qatar Exceeds 30 Days? Are They Required to Purchase Additional Health Insurance?
If your stay in Qatar exceeds 30 days, you will need to purchase an additional health insurance policy. This ensures that you are covered for the entire duration of your visit and comply with the mandatory health insurance requirement.
Are There Any Specific Recommendations or Guidelines for Visitors Regarding the Health Insurance Requirement?
It is highly recommended that you obtain health insurance when visiting Qatar, even if your stay is less than 30 days. This will protect against accidents and medical emergencies during your time in the country.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you’re planning a visit to Qatar starting from February 1, 2023, it’s important to be aware of the new requirement for health insurance.
This mandatory health insurance scheme aims to regulate healthcare expenditures and ensure continuous improvements in the healthcare system. It’s designed to protect against accidents and medical emergencies during your stay in Qatar.
Make sure to obtain visitors’ health insurance from approved insurance companies to comply with the regulations and ensure a safe and secure visit.