What to Know Before Medical Commission Appointment in Qatar

The Medical Commission is a department within Qatar's Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) that conducts mandatory health screenings for visitors and residents. It ensures that everybody staying permanently in the country is healthy and free from any infectious diseases. Its primary purpose is to safeguard Qatar and keep it free from epidemics. 

If you’re an expat applying for residency, enrolling in university, or working in food service, you’ll likely need to visit the Medical Commission. Here’s everything to know before that. 

The Medical Commission provides health check-ups for extending a visit visa, transferring from a visit to a residence visa, and obtaining residency permits in general. Qatar citizenship application, joining a university, and marriage (especially to a foreigner) require health checks as well.

Furthermore, certain professions, such as hairdressers, food workers, salonists, and health club workers, need a clean bill of health to handle customers. Moreover, medical practitioners need an examination to obtain a licence to practice or renew their certification. 

In addition, Medical Commission checkups are required when changing employment sponsor, traveling abroad, applying for public housing, and getting a license to own firearms. 

Physicians perform blood tests and X-ray scans as well as assess physical conditions, including height, weight, blood pressure, and general body fitness. They may ask you for general information about your previous health history.

Qatar Medical Commission is located in Mesaimeer, approximately 15 kilometers south of Doha City Center. It is along Industrial Area Road and near the Religious Complex Compound. It operates in two shifts and is open to the general public as follows:

• Morning shift: 7 AM–1 PM (Sunday to Thursday)

• Afternoon shift: 2 PM–7 PM (Sunday to Thursday)

You can contact Qatar Medical Commission via phone at +974 4467 9111 or email GHCC@moph.gov.qa. 

Furthermore, there are multiple MoPH-approved facilities that perform Medical Commission-related checks, including Red Crescent, Al-Ahly Hospital, Al Emadi Hospital, Doha Clinic, and Karwa Industrial Road.

New expatriate workers

All foreign nationals visiting Qatar for work are subject to mandatory medical screening after receiving approval from the Ministry of Interior (MOI) and obtaining a valid visa. This screening is conducted before obtaining a residency permit. 

You can only receive a Qatar identification card (QID) once you pass the medical screening at the medical commission, and you need to bring these documents to your appointment:

• Original passport

• Two copies of a residence visa

• Proof of medical examination fee payment (QAR 100 per person)

Family members of Qatar residents

If you secured family residence visas as an expat, you must then take them for examination before they receive their residency permits. 

Documents required for the visit are:

• Original passport

• Two copies of a residence visa

• Proof of examination fee payment (QAR 100)

Visitors extending their visas

In case you're in Qatar on a visitor visa and wish to extend your stay beyond the 30-day limit, you'll have to complete medical examinations. 

When doing so, bring the following documents:

• Original passport

• Copy of the visit visa

• Proof of medical examination fee payment (QAR 100)

Workers in specific professions

Residents in specific professions must undergo medical examinations frequently (usually every year) to ensure they are fit for work and receive health certificates before returning to their jobs. These are employees in health-sensitive operations, such as food handlers in restaurants and eateries, health club workers, saloon, laundry, and barbershop employees. 

Documents required during the visit are:

• Printed application form 

• Two recent passport-sized photos

• Copy of a valid residence permit or copy of a visa and original passport for first-time applicants

• Vaccination card

• Copy of registration certificate of establishment (hotel, health club, or salon)

• Previous health certificate (for renewals only)

• Medical examination fee receipt (QAR 20): Retain the original receipt and present it when picking up the health certificate

Workers changing sponsors

Part of the requirements for changing employers in Qatar includes completing a health check. All workers transitioning from one employer (sponsor) to another should visit the Medical Commission before the MOI approves and issues new residency permits.

You should carry the following documents to your appointment:

• Original passport

• Copy of visa

• Proof of payment (QAR 50)

Workers returning to Qatar after six months abroad

All expats with a residence permit who have been outside Qatar for more than six months have to undergo medical checks before restarting work. 

Returning workers must submit:

• Original passport showing the details of the return visa

• Receipt showing payment of examination fees (QAR 100)

Step 1: Register online 

The Medical Commission has an online appointment system that significantly reduces waiting time for clients visiting the facility. Sponsors and employers should register dependents or employees before visiting the Medical Commission using the department’s E-Services portal.

1. Go to the E-Services portal.

2. Click Register/Login with NAS. It redirects you to the National Authentication System (Tahwteeq). Fill in your username and password if you are already registered with NAS. You can also access NAS using Smartcard authentication (for companies). If you do not have an account, click on Create New Account to enable you to log in and access Medical Commission services. 

3. On the dashboard, select the User Type, then pick Company User or Individual User. 

4. If you are using an Individual User account, select Search to authenticate user details and access the E-services dashboard. In case you’re logging via a Company User account, choose the company name and confirm that you have read and understood the terms of service. This opens a dashboard that allows company administrators/sponsors to register candidates, book, and manage appointments.

5. Click on the Registration tab. Then, select Bulk Registration, which opens a new menu with two options. Choose Download Sample File.

6. This opens a file where you can input the details of all the people you intend to register on the Medical Commission portal. Enter their details, which include visa number/QID, passport number, mobile phone, application type, job type, and pregnancy indicator (for women). The Application Type column has a drop-down menu where you can specify the type of request you are making on behalf of the registrant.

7. Select Upload Registration File after filling in the registration details. Verify all details before submitting. Choose Submit to finalize the registration process.

8. Next, upload photos for each registered entry. Click on the Upload Image tab and choose the corresponding image from the computer storage. Alternatively, you can select the Bulk Image Upload option when handling multiple entries. Verify that the correct photo is available for each entry, then choose Save to complete.

Step 2: Pay for the appointment 

Click on the Payment tab on the dashboard and verify the candidate’s details. You can select multiple entries at a time. Then, pick the Make Payment option on the top right side of the payment dashboard. A pop-up window appears showing the summary of all costs associated with the selected candidates.

Click Pay on the pop-up window to proceed to the payment screen. Input the details of your credit or debit card to confirm and finalize the fee payment.

Step 3: Book your slot 

1. Select the Appointment tab on the dashboard.

2. Type your name.

3. Click on the Check Availability option (top right side).

4. Specify the location, date, and time slot for the appointment and click Book to complete.

5. Click on the Print Receipt tab to print the payment receipt and complete the process.

Step 4: Arrive at the location

Head to the reception and show your passport, visa copy, and receipt to the receptionist. They will direct you to the medical examination rooms. The medical examination takes between one and three hours, depending on how busy the facility is.

Then, wait for your test results. They are available within 24 to 72 hours after the medical examination.

Step 5: Check your results

The Medical Commission sends electronic copies of examination results directly to the Ministry of Interior. You can also check the status of your results on the Ministry of Health website. You can only access medical examination results for the previous three months. On the website:

1. Select your identification type (visa number or QID number).

2. Input the corresponding visa or QID number.

3. Enter the date of the test.

4. Press Search. The website will direct you to your medical report.

Medical test results may be positive for diseases. Serious illnesses like tuberculosis or HIV/AIDS will result in the denial of residence permits. However, individuals with indications for temporary illnesses may be asked to undergo additional medical checks.