Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued, Law No.10 of 2018, which deals with permanent residency for expatriates with a long-time track record of staying and working in Qatar. The law added yet another feather on the cap of Qatar and makes the country mature and unique among the developing countries. The law is an honour to the citizens and residents of this generous country and an acknowledgment and appreciation of their service to the noble nation.
The issuance of a host of new laws attracted the attention of local and international media and political and legal circles at the regional and international levels. This is an indication of how the world is watching the developments in Qatar and how the international community is appreciating each positive action taken by the country.
According to the law expatriate residents in the country could apply for and obtain permanent residency permit (PRP), which will make them eligible for an array of state benefits. For getting the PRP, an expatriate should have completed 20 years in the country on a legal ordinary residency permit if he/she was born abroad and 10 years in case of those who were born in Qatar. The residency period should be uninterrupted prior to the date of the application. There are several other conditions to be fulfilled for an expatriate resident to be eligible for the PRP.
A Committee for Granting Permanent Residency Permit will be set up at the Ministry of Interior tasked with considering and vetting the applications for PRP. The Committee will submit its recommendations to the Minister of Interior who will take appropriate decision on the application. The Minister of Interior will grant ID card called Permanent Residency Permit to the eligible candidate. The maximum number of PRPs issued in a year should not be more than 100.
The PRP comes with a several benefits such as free health services in public hospitals and education in government institutions as per the terms and conditions to be issued by a Cabinet decision. The PRP holders can partake in the development and business activities through investments and establishing companies.
Qatar has an exemplary track record of ensuring the welfare of hundreds of thousands of its expatriate population, providing them with world-class healthcare, entertainment facilities, freedom to follow and practise their religion and education to name a few, which no other country in the region can claim. The expatriate community as a whole has welcomed the new law with gratitude towards the authorities of the country and they feel that the country they consider as their second home has now become their permanent home.
