Applications to get the ‘Exceptional Entry Permit’, a temporary service is offered to residents who are stuck abroad and are unable to come back Qatar because of restrictions imposed due to coronavirus pandemic, this application can be submitted from Saturday (1st August2020)on the Qatar Portal. This 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.
Employer or resident should create an account and then login to the website to apply for a permit. If the mobile phone is not registered in your name you need to call the call centre to activate the account. After logging in, it will ask to choose if an employer or for family. All the details like country returning from, number of days stayed there and proof of the same has to be submitted along with email and contact number.
If it is a family sponsorship, it will show the names, QID numbers and charges if any.
For employers they need to furnish establishment ID and employee QID numbers and proceed to fill the rest of the information.
Return country and days spend in that country determines the kind of quarantine one has to go through on returning to Qatar.The validity of the entry permit is one month from the date of its issuance. In the event of expiration, a new application can be submitted. It is not mentioned in the website how soon the permit will be issued
Following are the steps to apply online:
1. Create a new account by visiting this link on Qatar Portal or log in to your existing account (if available).
2. Click on “Apply for Exceptional Entry Permit”.
3. Read the terms and conditions and prepare all required attachments before starting the application.
4. Enter the application page and fill in the required information correctly and completely as shown on the passport.
5. Enter your email ID correctly to receive approval on your application.
6. Print the entry permit and keep a copy of it and a copy of the quarantine undertaking to be presented to airport officials.
For Qatari Citizens and Residents:
The above screenshot of the portal explains that how a Qatari citizens and residents can apply for "Exceptional Entry Permit" . It shows that QID, Mobile number are needed to put for moving to the next step. It's also cleared that if the mobile is not under your ownership, your account will be created but not active and you have to contact the call center to activate your account.
For visitors and business representatives:
From the above screenshot it is clear that to create a new account for visitors and business representatives to apply for an entry permit an email address as well as the mobile number, are required to enter the next steps that include providing personal information, creating a password, and finally completing the procedures.
Terms and Conditions
The Permit:
1. The employer may apply for an "exceptional entry permit" for Qatar residents.
2. An application for an entry permit can be submitted through Qatar Portal website as of August 1, 2020.
3. The “exceptional entry permit” service is available for residents and family members.
4. The validity of the entry permit is one month from the date of its issuance. In the event of expiration, a new application can be submitted.
5. The holder of the permit must download EHTERAZ application upon arrival.
6. 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.
7. The competent authorities reserve the right to accept or reject the permit application in accordance with the conditions and requirements of issuing the permits.
8. 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 the State of Qatar.
9. Establishment information must be updated at the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs prior to presenting the application.
10. The Wage Protection System should be adhered to.
11. There shall be existing projects and justifiable reasons for return.
Categories:
1. For Family Members:
There will be two conditions,
(i) If the sponsor is in the country, he/she can apply for an entry permit for his/her family members directly through Qatar Portal.
(ii) If the sponsor is outside the country, he/she must obtain an entry permit from his/her employer first. Only after obtaining the permit, the sponsor can apply for his/her family members through Qatar Portal.
Children
Newborns up to 6 Months
Entry permit: This category is not required to apply for an entry permit. A visa upon arrival will be granted.
Quarantine: This category and all accompanying family members are excluded from the hotel quarantine. Home quarantine is applicable, regardless of the country individuals of this category are coming from.
Resident Children:
Entry permit: This category must apply for an entry permit.
Quarantine: Children aged 0 to 5 years old exclusively and their accompanying family members are excluded from the hotel quarantine. Home quarantine is applicable, regardless of the country individuals of this category are coming from.
Other Categories:
Citizens from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: This category does not need to apply for an entry permit to enter the State of Qatar.
Resident Students: The concerned universities can apply for entry permits for students through Qatar Portal. General terms and conditions apply to this category.
Terms for Those Coming from Low-risk Countries / Other Countries:
- Residents from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: This category does not need to apply for an entry permit to enter the State of Qatar.
- Resident Students: The concerned universities can apply for entry permits for students through Qatar Portal. General terms and conditions apply to this category.
Terms for Those Coming from Low-risk Countries / Other Countries:
People coming from low-risk countries should:
COVID-19 test has to be done from an approved hospital within a period not exceeding 48 hours from the date of departure. Applicant should submit a hard copy of the examination certificate upon arrival.
In the case applicant is unable to conduct COVID test in the departure country, then test will be conducted 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, then will be considered as coming from other countries (not low-risk) and will be treated accordingly.
Note: The permit will be cancelled automatically if there is discrepancy in the entered data of the country of departure.
Second: Other Countries
Those who come from other countries (outside the list of low-risk countries) should comply with the following:
1. Hotel reservation in one of the hotels designated and approved for quarantine for one week from the date of arrival.
2. Conducting a COVID test at the airport (In the event the result is positive, the expatriate will be directed for isolation, and if the test result is negative, a compulsory period of one week is spent in the quarantine hotel).
3. Permit holders must adhere to hotel quarantine and all followed procedures, including maintaining social distancing. In the event the resident fails to commit, the hotel quarantine will be extended for another period of 7 days.
Note: The permit will be cancelled automatically if there is discrepancy in the entered data of the country of departure.
The documents that residents must carry upon arrival at the airport
1. Passport
2. Qatar residence card
3. Entry permit
4. Hotel quarantine undertaking
5. COVID examination certificate: In the event of coming from low-risk countries, a hard copy of the medical examination, conducted within a period not exceeding 48 hours in one of the accredited hospitals (if any), must be presented to concerned officials at the airport.
Copy of the hotel reservation for quarantine: In the event of coming from other countries, a hard or soft copy of the residence reservation must be submitted in one of the hotels approved for the quarantine.
Additional Information:
To confirm the approved hotel booking, please visit "Discover Qatar" website.
For more information, please call on 109 inside Qatar or +974 44069999 outside Qatar.