Qatar Is First Gulf State to Offer Expat Permanent Residency
- Decree outlines eligibility requirements, limits to 100 a year
- GCC is dominated by expatriate workers, citizens guard rights
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Qatar has officially made permanent residency an option for a limited number of foreigners, a landmark development in the energy-rich Gulf.
Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued a decree allowing a maximum of 100 expatriates to gain permanent residency each year, giving them access to a generous welfare system and commercial rights previously reserved for citizens of the world’s biggest exporter of natural gas. The Ministry of Interior will decide on applications, according to the Sept. 4 decree.