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Hisham Aljundi
Doha
Permanent Residency (PR) card holders will enjoy privileges similar to that available to Qatari citizens, a top official of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) has said.
At a press conference on Monday, the MoI explained the Permanent Residency Law No. 10 of 2018 and the procedures for granting PR card.
Director of the Legal Affairs Department Brigadier General Salem Saqr al Muraikhi and Director General of Passports Brigadier Mohammed Ahmed al Ateeq said the permanent residency law stems from the keenness of Qatar and its wise leadership to provide the best services to its residents.
Muraikhi said Permanent Residency Law was issued as an appreciation of and honour for the expatriates who have spent long years of service in Qatar and to entitle them certain rights and privileges.
"PR card holders can stay in the county without the sponsorhip of an employer or host, exit and return to the country at any time and can invest in the national economy and own real estate for residential and investment purpose," he said.
The PR card holders will be treated like Qatari citizens in government healthcare and educational facilities in the country as per the conditions applied.
When asked on the number of permanent residency cards granted per year, Muraikhi said as many as 100 permanent residencies per year or maybe more will be issued subject to the direction from the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani.
Muraikhi said investors and capital owners will benefit from the law which will have a positive impact on the economy.
On criteria for grant of PR card, Muraikhi said,"The applicant should have a continuous normal legal residency in Qatar for 20 years if born outside and 10 years if born in the country, provided that the period of residence is consecutive and prior to the date of applying for a PR permit."
He said the clause of continuous stay is not undermined by the applicant staying outside the country for 60 days in a year. In all cases, this period shall be deducted from the total time calculated as residency in the country.
"The applicant should have enough income to meet his needs as well as those of his dependents. The applicant should be of good conduct and reputationand not convicted by a final ruling inside Qatar or outside Qatar for crimes that undermine honesty, trust and fame unless he was reinstated to his former status. The applicant should be fluent in Arabic," he added.
Explaining the measures taken to implement the law, he said, a working group has been set up to prepare the implementation of this law.
Several meetings were held with different law enforcement authorities -- Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Municipality and Environment as part of implementation, he added.
Regarding the mechanism for applying for the PR card, he said, application submission will be made available online. The applications will be subjected to legal review and compliance to meet all requirements and other conditions by legal auditors of the committee.
Then the applications will be submitted to the committee which will issue its recommendations. In case of approval, the applications will be referred to General Directorate of Passports to issue Permanent Residency Card.
Director General of Passports Brigadier Mohammed al Ateeq said the MoI relies on providing its services through an electronic system. Therefore, an electronic network has been built to implement this law and has been tried and tested.
Brigadier Ateeq said as soon as the law is published in the official gazette, an electronic applying mechanism will be implemented to receive application online.
When asked about the financial stability of the applicant, Muraikhi said the committee will determine the financial situation of every individual applying for a permanent residency card and make sure he has a stable income for him and his dependents.
