Qatar first Gulf nation to grant permanent residency to expats

DOHA: In a landmark development, Qatar becomes the first GCC state to allow some of its long-time expatriates to become permanent residents.

Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued on Wednesday, the Law No. 10 of 2018 that will now permit a maximum of 100 expats every year the right to obtain “Permanent Residency Permit” (PRP) of Qatar.

According to the new law, the chosen band of expatriates will be entitled to



several privileges that were once only reserved for Qatari citizens.

The holders of PRP card would be allowed to have Free State education, healthcare and be given the right to own property and can do business, without a Qatari partner, known as a kafeel.

Like other nations in the region, Qatar relies massively on foreign labor. The landmark law also allows most foreign labors to leave the country or change jobs without an exit visa.