I did the Ehteraz registration while flying to Qatar in March 2022, along with my wife.
In this article, I would walk you through the whole process, starting from why you would need it to the step-by-step application process and the required documents.
We were traveling from Colombia and did it a few days before boarding the flight. The approval definitely helped us with a smooth entry to Qatar and get to know this beautiful country.
I will also keep on updating the article based on new info that I come across.
What is Ehteraz?
So, like many other countries around the world, Qatar kicked off Ehteraz pre-travel registration system to facilitate the arrival process in Qatar, verify the vaccination status and decide if a traveler would need to quarantine.
This has been in place since July 2021.
Using an online platform, travelers can upload the required documents and submit the application.
Why Do Enteraz Registration?
Personally speaking, we were never asked for the Ehteraz pre-approval at the time of boarding the flight. And note that, I flew with Qatar Airways.
That being said, you can certainly get asked for it when boarding your flight.
Along with that, you should do it to
- Make sure of a smoother entry to Qatar at the immigration.
- Use the designated fast-track routes without stopping at the Ministry of Public health’s counters
- Use the faster routes in customs to leave the airport and ensure whether you need to be quarantined or not easily.
Table of Contents
Who Needs Pre-Travel Registration for Qatar?
Registering on the Ehteraz website is mandatory only for travelers without a valid Qatari ID or passport, although the MOPH recommends Qatari citizens and residents to do it as well.
GCC and European Union nationals and residents who meet the criteria for immunity can use the authorized health info app from their countries when entering Qatar. They wouldn’t need to do the pre-approval registration on Ehteraz.
When to Do Ehteraz Registration?
You should submit the Ehteraz registration at least 3 days before you travel, as the approval process can sometimes take time, depending on where you are from and the number of passengers.
The Ehteraz website, however, does not accept applications if your date of arrival in Qatar is more than 7 days from the date of application submission.
So, ideally, you should submit the application for Ehteraz 6 days or so before the date of your travel.
Required Documents for Ehteraz Application
Here are the mandatory documents for Ehteraz that you need to upload.
1. Passport copy
If you are a visitor, you need to upload a copy of your passport bio page.
If you are a Qatari/resident, you can simply provide the QID and retrieve it.
2. Vaccination Certificate for Ehteraz
A vaccination certificate issued by the competent authorities in the country departing from or any other country (for those who received the vaccine doses completely).
Optionally, you would also need to upload
3.Valid negative PCR test
It is not obligatory to upload the RTPCR test results, especially if you are fully vaccinated.That being said, depending on your nationality, you might need to provide the PCR test from laboratories approved by the health authorities taken maximum of 72 hours before time of arrival.
4. Hotel Booking
If you are subject to quarantine, then you would need to provide the proof of hotel booking through the Discover Qatar website.
5. Certificate of recovery
A certificate of recovery from the Covid-19 issued by the approved health authorities in the country departing from for those who were affected by it and recovered within a period not exceeding twelve months.
6. Entry Exit Stamps
If you are not in your country of origin, in certain cases, you would need to provide the entry exit stamps to prove that you are not in your home country. This is to make sure whether or not you should be quarantined.
7. Bank Statements
Depending on your nationality, you can be asked to upload the bank statements to prove that you can sustain yourself in Qatar.
How to do Ehteraz Registration in 6 Steps
Step 1: Registration
Go to the Ehteraz official website: https://ehteraz.gov.qa
Scroll down to the section about Pre-entry registration. Click on the button that says Register new request. It will redirect you to another screen.
If you are trying from the Ehteraz mobile app, you can reach this page by clicking on the “Pre-registration System”.The process is going to be the same.
You will be redirected to another page.
Click on the New user registration.
On the next screen, choose your nationality and provide your email and password.
Click on the Signup button.
When you do that, it will send you an email with an activation link.
Sometimes, this email can take 10-20 minutes to get to your inbox. So you can go for some coffee or whatever you like to do when you need to kill time, and then come back and continue.
Step 2 : Account Activation
Go to the email and click on the activation link.
This will activate your email and ask you to log in.
Step 3 : Create a New Application
After logging in, choose New Application from the Applications menu.
You need to provide the following.
- Country of departure
- The date of arrival
- Number of passangers
- And whether you are flying or coming through a land border or sea.
If you are traveling as a family or a group, you can create one application for all travelers. The maximum number of people that can be added to one application is 15.
The advantage of doing this is that it would be easy to keep track of and take a little less time.
The disadvantage of doing a group application for Ehteraz is that, the application won’t get approved if one of you is missing a document or something is wrong with one of you.In my case, I was traveling from Colombia by air with my wife. I am from India and my wife is from Colombia.
On the next screen, I chose visitor since I was planning to visit Qatar. If you are a Qatari resident, you would need to fill in QID.
I chose my nationality and provided my name, date of birth and passport number. I provided my phone number from Colombia.
After this, I filled out the details of vaccination and chose Colombia as one of the countries that I have visited recently.
You can click on the Add Dose button to add more than one dose, once you select Yes for Vaccinated.
After this, scroll down to the section for Attachments. Click on the Add button.
You can click on the Browse button to choose a document and select the type of document from the dropdown. Provide the description of the document afterward.
In this way, you can upload a copy of your passport and any other relevant documents.
Once done, click on the Continue button.
In my case, since I was applying for both me and my wife at once, I also filled in her details and uploaded the vaccination certificate as well as a copy of the passport.
After this, I clicked on the Continue button.
The documents must be in jpg, png or pdf format for uploading. The size of the documents shouldn’t exceed 2 MBs.
Step 4 : Undertaking and Submission
You need to tick the checkbox for undertaking after this and click on submit for approval.
Step 5: Track Application & Submit Other Documents (If Asked)
Once the application is submitted, you can see the application by going to the Applications menu and clicking on Search.
You will also receive an email that your application is under process.
After this, they will start reviewing your documents and approve the application or send it back to you to submit any other documents.
In my case, I didn’t hear anything from them for a couple of days. Then they kept on sending the application back to me for one or the other document, and I would provide the same and send it back to them.
Email 1: Vaccine certificate couldn’t be verified
So they couldn’t verify my vaccine certificate, while they could verify it for my wife. And both of us had the vaccine certificate from India only, for the same vaccine.
So I simply reuploaded the vaccine certificate and provided the description that it was authentic and I have taken the vaccines.
Email 2 : Entry Exit Stamp
Then they sent me an email asking me to upload the entry-exit stamps from India and Colombia. They misspelled Colombia, but I digress.
I believe this was the case to verify that I wouldn’t need to quarantine, if I would have been out of India for more than 14 days.
Email 3 : Bank statements
Then I got another email asking me to upload the bank statements for the last 3 months. I believe this is again a requirement for people from countries like India, Pakistan etc., who need to get a visa on arrival for Qatar.
The minimum balance should be QR 5000.
By this point, I was already a little annoyed with the whole process. I also had to travel within a day of getting this email.
So along with the bank statements, I also uploaded a copy of my hotel reservation and PCR test result and asked them to approve it asap in the document description.
Ideally, you shouldn’t need to upload these if you wouldn’t need to quarantine.
Step 6 : Receive Ehteraz Pre Approval
I received the Ehteraz pre approval a couple of hours before boarding my flight actually. I got an email notifying me of the same and a PDF containing the approval for both of us.
Ehteraz registration from India
If you are doing the Ehteraz registration from India, you would most probably have to submit the same documents that I did and you might need to do the quarantine depending on the rules.
In my case, since I was out of India for more than 14 days, I was exempted from quarantine.
Ehteraz Approval Time: How Long Does it Take?
Ehteraz approval can take anywhere between 2-5 days depending on the number of applicants and their nationalities.
The decision for each applicant is taken individually.
Ehteraz Application Fees
Ehteraz application is completely free of cost.
Entering Qatar with Ehteraz Pre Approval
Make sure to have the Ehteraz pre approval on your phone or tablet when you land in Qatar. They can ask for it in the immigration.
In our case, we were also asked for it at the time of leaving the airport through customs.
You can also carry a printout of the pre-approval.
Ehteraz Registration Problems
You can definitely run into some issues when doing the Ehteraz registration.
Why My Ehteraz is not Showing Vaccinated?
Ehteraz vaccine update can sometimes take time as the vaccine certificates from different countries are different. In my case, they returned my Ehteraz application with the comment that my certificate couldn’t be verified.
Then I simply resubmitted the same certificate, and it was validated.
Ehteraz App Download
Make sure to download the Ehteraz app as well. However, you don’t need to do it until you are inside Qatar.
You would be asked to show the status as green on the app in places like metro stations, hotels and restaurants and other places.
If for some reason, you are not able to register on the app, you can still show a copy of the vaccination certificates and/or the PCR test results for a few days.
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How many day outside vaccine approval ehteraz show
Hi Dipok,
If I get your question correctly, Ehteraz approval for you can take 3-7 days.
Hi, im traveling to qatar 4 days from now im a little bit worried about my vaccine as i have 2 dose of pfizer only (not yet with booster) will i get approved or not?
Hi,
Have you received the response by now?
Hi I am qatar resident and have private house with rent aggrement. My wife and daughter traveling to Qatar from India on family visit visa next month . my wife is fully vaccinated (covishield ) and daughter age is less than 1 year. Do we need to book a hotel quarantine for 1 day??
Hi Kevil,
Yes, you should book the quarantine hotel for 1 day to be on the safer side.
Hi Dipok ,
I missed my flight on th 1st May and had to reschedule for the 11 May , but how can I submit my all paperwork in 48 hours after receiving my pcr test , what can I do to speed up the process ? And get approval ?
Hi Dawood,
You don’t need to upload the PCR test if you are fully vaccinated. Depending on your nationality, you can upload the hotel reservation and bank statements when applying.
Hi Dipok
I hope you are doing well! Thank you for the useful information. I would like to ask as it was mentioned that we can do pre registration in EHTERAZ 72 hours before flying day and as I am travelling on 16 May shall I do my pre registration on 13 May . Will it be approved on time?
Thank you
Hi Sneh,
You could do it earlier. Yes, it can get approved in 72 hours but better to apply a bit earlier.
When am trying to activate my ehteraz it says that my passport has exceed the limit….. what should I do
Hi,
Can you elaborate on what exactly you tried? And at what step are you getting this error?
Hi Deb
Firstly, its a very informative article.
Secondly, in my Family scenario, i have a valid family visit visa for family with kids.
My Elder one is 13 yrs now, as a matter of fact in India only Corbevax is given for kids under 15 yrs. So my query is that if the Corbevax vaccine certificate is uploaded for Travel, will it be approved. As its the only vaccine for kids at present in India.
Thank you.
Hi Hamed,
I don’t think Corbevax is one of the approved vaccines in Qatar. You can apply for the Ehteraz in this case but there is a big chance that they would not approve. When you upload the vaccine certificate, mention in the description that it is the only vaccine for kids under 15 years in India.
But you should be prepared to quarantine. Do have the PCR test before traveling and carry the vaccine certificate.
Thank you very much for the info. I Appreciate it.
Hi again. Actually, i created ehteraz account, and in that there is no such area where i can put a remark of the corbevax vaccine, in the drop down list of vaccines too, covaxin is there but no corbevax.
Do u think if my family travels to Dubai for few days & then from there to Doha, as Dubai is in Green List, as a visitor will it work out to enter Doha with family members especially the Son, who has corbevax vaccine. Please let me know if u can. Thanks.
Hi Hamed,
No there is no specific field for remark. When you upload the document, you need to provide the description. In the description, you can write all this.
Even if you go from Dubai to Doha, you would need to fill in the Ehteraz. But if you are n Dubai for more than 14 days, your family would not need to quarantine.
Thanks Deb. I appreciate ur feedback. I shall first try to do the option 1 & see the outcome. Secondly, in any case of Dubai option, is 14 days really required or can it be 10 days or so, just to minimize the costs. If its surely 14 days then i don’t have a choice.
Hi Hamed,
Yes, it needs to be 14 days outside India. It would be cheaper to quarantine in Qatar probably if push comes to shove. 🙂
Hi again Deb, i am sorry to say that the ehteraz rejected my son’s corbevax vaccine today after uploading the necessary Doc’s & info.
So, now i need to try the second option only. I hope this time it will be alright.,
Just a query, if in case of arriving from UAE, as its a green list country, the ehteraz upload needs to be for my wife only, do we need to upload my son’s corbevax certif again or not required, only my wife can upload the covishield certif which is approved here. will my son get entry in qatar as he will be accompanying my wife. kindly, give me ur inputs.
Thanks.
Hi Hamed,
I wish I knew the answer to this, but I don’t unfortunately. I am positive that your son will be able to enter.
Hai I am Xin traveling from china to Qatar and have a valid work visa issued on my old passport.
How ever I have renewed my passport and currently hold a new passport.
So can I travel with same e-visa issued on my old passport number or have to apply for a new visa.
I have called immigration and they do not have a proper answer every time I call them they give a different answer.
One of the answers they give us , yes u can travel with visa issued with your old passport but carry along with u as a proof of evidence.
So kindly advice
Hi Xin,
Yes, that is right. You need to carry both your passports with you.
Hi
Please help
I am travelling from South Africa to London in October 2022 with Qatar Airways. On the return trip i would like to stop over in Doha for 4 nights
30th october to 3 November 2022.
I am confused with the Eteraz system
Please help
Hi Sagaran,
You still have a lot of time. You can fill in the Ehteraz application a week before you travel in October.
Cheers,
Deb
Hi Deb
Thanks a ton for your kind advice . My flight is on 21 st Nov 22 from Bangalore to Doha , can i apply for Ehteraz registration latest by 15 th of November 22 – i am fully vaccinated and booster dose also done so do i need to go for PCR test 48 hours before boarding from Bangalore . I am extremely worried as i came to know Ehteraz approval does not come on time as a results several passenger missed their flight and had to undergo severe issues – do you think if all the papers are uploaded correctly – approval comes on time . Please advice as this is really a point of concern after booking flights , hotel and world cup match tickets . Regards Abhra
Hi Abhra,
Yes, you should definitely receive the approval in a week if everything is in order. I got mine in 3 days really.
And regarding the tests and all, there is still a lot of time. The requirements for PCR test can change by then.
Hi,
Do i need to attach / upload my PCR test result for ehteraz approval because the PCr test will be expire because the ehteraz approval will take 3 to 7 days . then do ineed to get my PCR done one more time for flight
Hi Nazish,
The PCR test is not mandatory if you have both vaccines. But if you really need to, you would need to do it twice.
Hi, when i submit my application it says passport exceeded the registration limit, what should i do for this case?
Hi Tomas,
Did you try to do it before in the past? Can you try from a different browser?
And can you email me a screenshot at thevisaproject@gmail.com?
Hi Deb, Thanks very much for the detailed information. Could you help me with these questions please.
I will be transiting Doha twice in a gap of 3 weeks; once on way to Europe for 3 hr(waiting for next flight) and once on way back home to Australia. On the way back it will be 22 hr transit time and am keen to go out.
Do I need to apply Ehteraz twice? I have taken two vaccinations and two boosters. Do I need to take PCR test?
Hi Geetha,
You don’t really need the PCR test. But the Ehteraz approval expires the day after you reach Qatar. So you would need it twice.
Thanks Deb. That helps. On their site https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/travel-and-return-policy it says…..How should I interpret it?
For Visitors COVID-19 Test Required Before Traveling to Qatar
Optional:
Pre-travel RT-PCR if traveler is a resident of a GCC country, or an EU national/resident.
Mandatory:
negative RT-PCR is required for other travellers
For Visitors COVID-19 Test Required On Arrival in Qatar
If a resident of GCC country or an EU national/resident who does not have a pre-travel PCR, the traveler must proceed to any authorized private clinics for Rapid Antigen test within 24hrs of arrival; otherwise, not applicable.
Hi Geetha,
The interpretation would depend on your nationality and where you are flying from, but from my own experience, I would recommend doing a PCR test nevertheless. The airlines themselves can often come up with their own rules.
hi,
my wife and kids (8 and 4 years old) will be coming to Qatar on a family visa by themselves soon. They are from Taiwan. I have uploaded all the necessary documents for them, but my wife’s digital vaccine certificate with QR code on it only shows 3/3 doses with the booster dose details only (moderna and administered date). The digital certificate does not show details for the first and second doses.
For the sake of safety, I have also uploaded her paper certificate (all docs in PDF format) detailing all the 3 dosage specs and administration dates.
Will this work for my wife’s application? by the way, i was never approved on my pre-registration process, which really freaked me out at the first place, but I still managed to enter the country end of last year. I just don’t want my wife to go through the same trauma like i did.
thank you sir
Hi Bruce,
I would surely recommend providing these details in the description box when uploading in case they send it back to you. The PDF should surely work. It worked for me.
My etheraz application is rejected , How many days it will take to reapply
My family coming from UAE (Indian citizen) were denied check-in because of no ehteraz pre registration but we didn’t do it because MOPH website said GCC residents not required. But then we applied for it but didn’t receive approval before the flight and we changed the flight to tomorrow and still didn’t receive ehteraz approval.
Sorry to hear this Ruksaad.
AFTER APPROVAL FOR HOW MANY DAYS VALID EHTERAZ REGISTRATION
Hi,
Im travelling on the 14th july so when should i apply for ehteraz approval? Is 8th july a suitable date?
Thank you
Maybe 7th July.
Im coming from the united kingdom so I can use my NHS Covid Pass app to enter qatar but my son doesnt have the app so i need to apply ehteraz for him and he is only 12. Does Qatar approve ehteraz for 1 application for 12 year old?
Thank you
Hi Deb,
Thanks so much for this article. I am a resident of Qatar and I want my son who is in USA but an Indian citizen to come here for a week. I have a visa for him. He filled in the Ehteraz application but they have come back twice asking him to upload the entry (USA) and exit (India) stamps. He uploaded this as well, but they came back again asking for the same. Did you upload the stamps separately i.e. one pdf of entry stamp and one for Exit stamp? It’s a bit confusing.
Hi Munira,
No I uploaded the entry and exit together in one pdf. The trick is to write a detailed message in the description when he uploaded. In the description, clearly mention what you are uploading and the entry and exit dates. Would be great if they allowed people to leave a comment but they don’t. So the description is the only option.