IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Qatari government implemented new travel and entry policies on Feb. 28.

Key Points:

  • As of Feb. 28, Qatari health authorities have changed country classifications from green, red and exceptional red to “Standard Health Measures or “Red Health Measures.”
    • Red Health Measures. There are nine red countries, including Bangladesh, Egypt, Georgia, India, Jordan, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka.
    • Standard Health Measures. Countries that are not subject to Red Health Measures will be subject to Standard Health Measures.
  • Foreign national visitors who are traveling from a country on the red list and are not fully vaccinated or have not previously recovered from COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter the country. Qatari citizens, residents and nonresidents who are fully vaccinated or previously recovered visitors will be allowed to enter Qatar if they follow the appropriate entry and health requirements.
  • A full list of entry and health requirements for those traveling to Qatar is available here.

Additional Information: Travelers arriving in Qatar must download and activate the Ehteraz app on their mobile phones upon entering the country. Travelers who must complete a hotel quarantine can book their stay on this website.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Qatari government has updated its Green, Red and Exceptional Red country lists.

Key Points:

  • Green List. There are 117 Green Countries, including China, Japan, Russia, Singapore, South Africa and South Korea.
  • Red List. There are 86 Red Countries, including Australia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the U.K. and the U.S. as well as the majority of the EU and Schengen area.
  • Exceptional Red List. There are 6 Exceptional Red Countries, including Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Nepal, Pakistan and the Philippines.
  • Entry requirements for each color list of countries can be found here.

Additional Information: Travelers must complete the Undertaking and Acknowledgement Form before arriving to Qatar unless they were fully vaccinated in Qatar and coming from a green-list country. Non-resident travelers must complete all pre-registration requirements on this website at least three days before arrival. More information on Qatar’s entry requirements can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Qatari government has updated its Green, Red and Exceptional Red country lists.

Key Points:

  • Green List. There are 143 Green Countries, including Australia, China, Russia and Singapore, and South Korea.
  • Red List. There are 57 Red Countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the U.K. and the U.S. as well as the majority of the EU and Schengen Area.
  • Exceptional Red List. There are nine Exceptional Red Countries, including Bangladesh, Botswana, Egypt, India, Lesotho, Namibia, Nepal, Pakistan and Zimbabwe.
  • Travelers who are not fully vaccinated from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe remain barred from entering the country.
  • Entry requirements for each color list of countries can be found here.

Additional Information: Travelers must complete the Undertaking and Acknowledgement Form before arriving to Qatar unless they were fully vaccinated in Qatar and coming from a green-list country. Non-resident travelers must complete all pre-registration requirements at least three days before arrival. More information on Qatar’s entry requirements can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Qatari government has announced that it will reduce the validity of vaccinations from 12 months to nine months in February.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Feb. 1, individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccination will be considered not fully vaccinated nine months after the date of their last applicable dose.
  • Individuals who are considered unvaccinated will lose their Gold Frame status within the Ehteraz health app.
  • Authorities will consider those who have received a booster vaccine to be vaccinated for an additional nine months.

Additional Information: The Qatari government has updated its green and red lists. There are 47 Red Countries, including Germany, the U.S. and the U.K. There are 153 Green Countries, including Australia, China, Russia, and Singapore. Those planning to travel to Qatar should check the lists before departure. More information regarding Qatar’s entry and travel requirements is available here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Qatari government has updated its Green, Red and Exceptional Red country lists and continues to enforce additional restrictions on individuals traveling from six countries in Southern Africa.

Key Points:

  • Green List. There are 175 Green Countries, including Australia, China, Russia, and the U.S. as well as the majority of EU and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
  • Red List. There are 21 Red Countries, including Ireland, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the U.K.
  • Exceptional Red List. There are 16 Exceptional Red Countries, including Egypt, India, Indonesia and the Philippines.
    • Travelers who are not fully vaccinated from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe remain barred from entering the country.
  • Entry requirements for each color list of countries can be found here.

Additional Information: Travelers must complete the Undertaking and Acknowledgement Form before arriving to Qatar unless they were fully vaccinated in Qatar and coming from a green-list country. Non-resident travelers must complete all pre-registration requirements on this website at least three days before arrival. More information on Qatar’s entry requirements can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Qatari government has updated its Green, Red and Exceptional Red country lists.

Green Countries:

  • There are 175 Green Countries, including Australia, China, Russia, the U.K. and the U.S. as well as the majority of EU and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
  • Qatari citizens, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens and residents who are fully vaccinated will be exempt from the seven-day quarantine but must take a PCR test within 36 hours of arrival.
    • These travelers are exempted from needing a negative PCR result taken within 72 hours before arriving to Qatar.
    • Passengers with a conditionally certified vaccine must perform a Serology Antibody test before arriving in Qatar and if the passenger is unable to take the test in the country of departure, the passenger must undergo home quarantine for 7 days.
  • Qatari citizens, GCC citizens and residents who are not fully vaccinated must have a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival and quarantine at home for seven days.
  • Visitors, regardless of their vaccination status, must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival. Fully vaccinated visitors will be exempt from the seven-day quarantine.

Red Countries:

  • There are 21 Red Countries, including, Austria, Belgium Ireland and the Netherlands.
  • Qatari citizens, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens and residents, regardless of their vaccination status, must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival. Fully vaccinated individuals will be exempt from the seven-day quarantine but must take a PCR test within 36 hours of entering the country.
  • Fully vaccinated visitors must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival, take another PCR test at their quarantine location and quarantine for two days or until they receive negative test results.
  • Unvaccinated visitors must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival and quarantine for seven days.

Exceptional Red Countries:

  • There are 16 Exceptional Red Countries (High Risk Countries), including Egypt, India, Indonesia and the Philippines and South Africa.
    • Individuals traveling from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe should check entry requirements found here before traveling to Qatar.
  • Qatari citizens, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens and residents who are fully vaccinated must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival, take another PCR test within 36 hours of arrival at their quarantine location and quarantine for two days or until they receive negative test results.
    • Qatar citizens must undergo a two-day quarantine at home; residents and GCC citizens must carry out the two-day hotel quarantine.
  • Qatari citizens, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens and residents who are not fully vaccinated must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival and quarantine for seven days.
    • Qatar citizens must undergo a seven-day quarantine at home; residents and GCC citizens must undergo a seven-day hotel quarantine.
  • Visitors who are fully vaccinated must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival, take another PCR test on the first day of the quarantine and quarantine for two days or until they receive negative test results.
  • Visitors who are not fully vaccinated will not be allowed to enter the country.

Additional Information: Travelers must complete the Undertaking and Acknowledgement Form before arriving to Qatar unless they were fully vaccinated in Qatar and coming from a green-list country. Non-resident travelers must complete all pre-registration requirements on this website at least three days before arrival. More information on Qatar’s entry requirements can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@balglobal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@balglobal.com.

The Qatari government has updated its Green, Red and Exceptional Red country lists.

Green Countries:

  • There are 181 Green Countries, including Australia, China, and the U.S. as well as the majority of EU and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Rules on travel from Green Countries are as follows:
    • Qatari citizens, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens and residents who are fully vaccinated will be exempt from the seven-day quarantine but must take a PCR test within 36 hours of arrival.
    • Qatari citizens, GCC citizens and residents who are not fully vaccinated must have a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival and quarantine for seven days.
    • Visitors, regardless of their vaccination status, must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival. Fully vaccinated visitors will be exempt from the seven-day quarantine.

Red Countries:

  • There are 21 Red Countries, including, Russia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the U.K. Rules on travel from Red Countries are as follows:
    • Qatari citizens, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens and residents, regardless of their vaccination status, must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival. Fully vaccinated individuals will be exempt from the seven-day quarantine but must take a PCR test within 36 hours of entering the country.
    • Fully vaccinated visitors must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival, take another PCR test at their quarantine location and quarantine for two days or until they receive negative test results.
    • Unvaccinated visitors must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival and quarantine for seven days.

Exceptional Red Countries:

  • There are ten Exceptional Red Countries (High Risk Countries), including Egypt, India, Indonesia and the Philippines. Rules on travel from these countries are as follows:
    • Qatari citizens, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens and residents who are fully vaccinated must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival, take another PCR test within 36 hours of arrival at their quarantine location and quarantine for two days or until they receive negative test results.
    • Qatari citizens, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens and residents who are not fully vaccinated must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival and quarantine for seven days.
    • Visitors who are fully vaccinated must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival, take another PCR test within 36 hours of arrival at their quarantine location and quarantine for two days or until they receive negative test results.
    • Visitors who are not fully vaccinated will not be allowed to enter the country.

Additional Information: Travelers must complete the Undertaking and Acknowledgement Form before arriving to Qatar unless they were fully vaccinated in Qatar and coming from a green-list country. Non-resident travelers must complete all pre-registration requirements on this website at least three days before arrival. More information on Qatar’s entry requirements can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Qatari government has announced that a mandatory health insurance system will be implemented for all foreign nationals coming to and already in the country.

Key Points:

  • The health insurance system will provide basic healthcare to all foreign nationals through public and private healthcare providers.
  • Employers will provide health insurance for non-Qatari employees through insurance companies registered with the Ministry of Public Health.
  • The law will take effect six months after it is published in the Official Gazette.
  • More details on the process, requirements and insurance policies will be provided by the government in the coming months.

BAL Analysis: The newly announced health insurance system is intended to alleviate the challenges facing the healthcare sector by incorporating both public and private healthcare providers. BAL will continue to monitor the developments for the health insurance system and will provide more information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Qatari government recently announced a grace period for foreign nationals who have violated entry and exit laws.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals or employers who have violated the provisions regulating the entry and exit of their residence must correct their legal status from Oct. 10 to Dec. 31.
  • Individuals can submit a request for reconciliation to be exempt from or reduce the fine for the following:
    • Violations of residency rules.
    • Violations visa rules.
    • Violations of family visit rules.
  • Foreign nations or employers must submit a request for reconciliation to the Search and Follow-up Department or service centers in Al Wakra, Al Rayyan, Mesaimeer, Umm Salal or Umm Sunaim. Individuals should visit these locations Sunday through Thursday between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. to submit a reconciliation request.

BAL Analysis: Foreign nationals and employers can use this grace period to correct their legal status and avoid legal procedures for not legitimizing their status. Qatari authorities have not said how this may impact highly-skilled foreign workers.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Qatari government announced that it would categorize countries into Green, Red and Exceptional Red country lists and update its entry requirements on Oct. 6.

Green Countries:

  • There are 188 Green Countries, including Australia, China, the U.K. and the U.S. as well as EU and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
  • Qatari citizens, GCC citizens and residents who are fully vaccinated will be exempt from the seven-day quarantine but must take a PCR test within 36 hours of arrival.
  • Qatari citizens, GCC citizens and residents who are not fully vaccinated must have a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival and quarantine for seven days.
  • Visitors, regardless of their vaccination status, must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival. Fully vaccinated visitors will be exempt from the seven-day quarantine.

Red Countries:

  • There are 15 Red Countries, including Egypt, Mongolia, Serbia and Seychelles.
  • Qatari citizens, GCC citizens and residents, regardless of their vaccination status, must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival. Fully vaccinated individuals will be exempt from the seven-day quarantine but must take a PCR test within 36 hours of entering the country.
  • Fully vaccinated visitors must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival, take another PCR test at their quarantine location and quarantine for two days or until they receive negative test results.
  • Unvaccinated visitors must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival and quarantine for seven days.

Exceptional Red Countries:

  • Qatari citizens, GCC citizens and residents who are fully vaccinated must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival, take another PCR test within 36 hours of arrival at their quarantine location and quarantine for two days or until they receive negative test results.
  • Qatari citizens, GCC citizens and residents who are not fully vaccinated must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival and quarantine for seven days.
  • Visitors who are fully vaccinated must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival, take another PCR test within 36 hours of arrival at their quarantine location and quarantine for two days or until they receive negative test results.
  • Visitors who are not fully vaccinated will not be allowed to enter the country.

Additional Information: Travelers must complete the Undertaking and Acknowledgement Form before arriving to Qatar unless they were fully vaccinated in Qatar and coming from a green-list country. Non-resident travelers must complete all pre-registration requirements on this website at least three days before arrival. More information on Qatar’s entry requirements can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global practice. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.