Skip to content

Qatar Opens to International Travel

Joining a handful of other destinations in Asia, Qatar has re-opened its borders to international travelers.

Joining a handful of other destinations in Asia, Qatar has re-opened its borders to international travelers who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 with vaccines that are approved for use by the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar, without being subject to quarantine. 

All visitors – vaccinated or unvaccinated – will be required to undertake a PCR test up to 72 hours prior to travel and must apply for the authorization through the Ehteraz website at least 12 hours before their planned departure to Qatar. 

Qatar Tourism is looking forward to welcoming international visitors back to the State of Qatar and showcasing the best of the country, a press release from Qatar Tourism stated, as Qatar prepares to welcome the world for the FIFA World Cup 2022.

In preparation for one of the world’s biggest sporting events, Qatar officially received the World Cup trophy that will be awarded to the winner of the global tournament last week, marking just 500 days till the highly anticipated event, set for between November 21 and December 18 at eight different stadiums.

The World cup will be held during the winter season, due to extreme humidity and heat of summer in Doha.

An extraordinary landscape located south-east of the country’s capital, Doha, the Qatari desert features both sand dunes and seabeds and is recognised by UNESCO as Qatar’s largest natural reserve.

Camel experiences are part and parcel of any traveler’s visit to Qatar; camels have graced the Qatari deserts for centuries, having been introduced to the country by the nomadic Bedouin tribes, and are an important part of Qatar’s culture and heritage. Initially the only mode of land transport, these sturdy animals are perfectly adapted to exploring the desert.

The animals can be spotted in large herds in the desert around Khor Al Adaid, also known as The Inland Sea, which is a unique tourist attraction in Qatar. The impressive ‘Inland Sea’ or Khor Al Adaid lies to the south of the city, and is one of the few places in the world where the sea encroaches into the desert, the QNTC says. Camel rides are a common desert experience, as are dune bashing in a 4×4 or quad bike and paragliding or kitesurfing.

Inside of the city, Doha is famed for its travel amenities, from the Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara for seaside fun to the whirlwind of the Mandarin Oriental, Doha. 

Widely known for its luxe hotels and desert sands, Doha is a jumping off point for many areas in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Neighboring United Arab Emirates is also open to vaccinated travelers from around the world and is gearing up for the 2021 Expo, which begins in October of this year.

Qatar Tourism in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health launched more than one year ago the “Qatar Clean” programme for the hospitality & tourism sector to ensure safe visitor experiences in Qatar. However, the Ministry of Public Health advises all visitors to continue to be vigilant and adhere to preventive measures including wearing face masks, which are mandatory in Qatar ; avoiding crowded places; and sanitizing hands regularly.