Qatar will offer permanent residence for expats

The Cabinet approved draft legislation to this effect today, in a move that will likely affect tens of thousands of foreigners living in the country.

Those who are granted the new status would be afforded the same education and healthcare rights as Qataris.

Foreigners married to Qatari women, those who have “performed great services” for the state and other expats will soon be eligible for permanent residency status.

Qatar will introduce permanent residency identification cards to non-Qataris who meet certain conditions. The decision is taken in a cabinet meeting on Wednesday chaired by HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani. Ministry of Interior will institute a permanent committee called Permanent Residency ID Granting Committee to review requests for the card.

They would also enjoy priority for government and military jobs after locals, and be allowed to own real estate in the country.

According to QNA, foreigners can apply for the status with the Ministry of Interior.

In addition to spouses of local women, those with “special competencies” needed by the state can also qualify.

 
The draft law passed by the cabinet authorizes the Minister of Interior to grant a permanent residency ID to a non-Qatari if they meet the conditions specified in the law. The law has a provision to grant this ID to the children of a Qatari woman married to a non-Qatari. The card will also be granted to those who offered valuable services to the country and people with special capacities that the country needs, according to QNA.

A holder of the permanent residency ID will receive the same treatment as Qataris in education and healthcare at government institutions. They will also get priority behind Qataris in holding public military and civil jobs. They will also have a right to own property and practice some commercial businesses without the need to have a Qatari partner.