Qatar: Mandatory Health Insurance Scheme Expanded to Holders of Multiple-Entry Work Visas

Effective immediately, the Qatari government has expanded the mandatory health insurance scheme to holders of multiple-entry work visas. Foreign nationals applying for multiple-entry work visas must obtain a health insurance policy from the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) website, in order for their visa to be issued. These foreign nationals may buy this health insurance policy before the visa is issued or at the time of approval, and the policy should be valid for up until the visa expires. Foreign nationals who already hold a multiple-entry work visa may be required to obtain the same type of health insurance policy prior to or upon arrival at any Qatari port of entries, at the border authorities’ instruction. Since this policy only came into effect in August 2023, it is expected that there may be some delays in visa issuance as it can take several days for the Ministry of Interior to receive confirmation that health insurance was purchased from the MoPH, which they must have in order to issue the visa.