Travellers entering the State of Qatar for a stay of over 30 days are required to obtain health insurance with any insurance company that is registered with the Ministry of Public Health.
The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) implemented the first phase of the health insurance system in February 2023, under the provisions of Law No 22 of 2021 about regulating healthcare services in the State of Qatar, and which states that all visitors shall be covered by the mandatory Health Insurance Scheme.
The Ministry has launched the first phase of the Scheme, including enabling visitors to obtain a health insurance policy from MOPH registered health insurance companies. The insurance policy for visitors covers emergency and accident services only, with a premium of QAR50 a month at the time of initial issuance and upon extension of the visa. The Ministry of Public Health recommends that visitors purchase this insurance prior to travelling to Qatar.
How to obtain visitors’ health insurance
Visitors applying for a visit visa through the Ministry of Interior website or via the Metrash app will be redirected to the Ministry of Public Health website. Here they can select one of the insurance companies registered with the Ministry to purchase the visitors’ policy, after completion of all other relevant visa requirements. It is important to select the policy duration that matches or is in excess of the selected/eligible visa type.
Once the insurance policy is issued by the selected insurance company, the Ministry of Interior will issue the appropriate visit visa. The effective date of coverage is the date of entry of the visitor at any border. If the visitor wishes to extend the stay in the State of Qatar, a new health insurance policy must be purchased.
Visitors eligible for on-arrival visas at any of the border crossings of the State of Qatar (airport, land and seaports) should purchase a visitor insurance policy before arrival, following the same procedures. An insurance policy for multi-entry visas remains valid from the date of entry until the policy expires. For single-entry visas, the insurance policy expires upon leaving the State of Qatar through any border crossing.
Hayya Card holders and their companions are required to obtain visitors’ insurance policies that cover the remaining period of the Hayya card entry permit, ie until 24 January 2024. For example, if a Hayya Card holder is planning to enter the State of Qatar on 1 May 2023, he/she should obtain an insurance policy for nine months.
The cost of health insurance premium
The premium for the Mandatory Visitors’ Health Insurance policy is QAR50 a month. This is the single insurance policy premium for a period of 30 days (the minimum duration). The premium for other visas varies according to the duration and type of visas.
The visitor can purchase additional coverage (top-ups) for extra premiums. This will be determined by the insurance companies.
What is covered by the policy
• Emergency medical treatment: Up to QAR150,000 for the policy period and within the State of Qatar.
• Emergency medical assistance with a sub-limit of QAR35,000, includes:
• Emergency ambulance transportation within the State of Qatar, and where necessary.
• Medical evacuation to the individual’s country of residence.
• COVID-19 and quarantine:
• Sub-limit up to QAR50,000.
• Covid-19 treatment for positive cases.
• Quarantine expenses (for confirmed cases) are up to QAR 300 per day.
• No waiting period is required.
• Repatriation: In the event of the visitor’s death within the State of Qatar, the cost of repatriation is covered up to an amount of QAR10,000.
• No copayment/deductibles/excesses are required for any covered services as per the terms and conditions stipulated in the visitor’s health insurance policy.
It should be noted that healthcare providers must by law provide emergency services without asking the patient for payment, whether the service provider is included or not in the network list.
International health insurance policies
In addition to the visitor obtaining health insurance policy issued by an insurance company registered with MOPH, a health insurance policy issued by an MOPH approved international insurance company is also accepted. The visitor must ensure that the international insurance policy fulfils the acceptance criteria defined by the MOPH:
• The geographical coverage must include the State of Qatar.
• The policy is valid and covers the full duration of the visitor’s stay in the country.
• The policy covers emergency and accident healthcare services with a limit of QAR150,000, without copayment/deductibles/excesses.
• The policy covers COVID-19 with a limit of QAR50,000.
• Physical proof of health insurance coverage (paper format of the policy) must be presented to the border authority and healthcare providers on demand.
For more information on visitors’ health insurance:
> Visit Ministry of Public Health – Mandatory Health Insurance Scheme at moph.gov.qa or the VisitQatar Health Insurance page at visitqatar.com
> Call the MOPH Helpline on 16000 and choose Extension 1 dedicated to health insurance
> If outside Qatar call +974 4406 9963
By Ola Diab
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