* Committee formed to deal with applications
* Benefits cover health, education, investment, exit/entry etc
* PR Card to be valid for five years, after which it can be renewed
The initiative to grant permanent residency to non-Qatari individuals will help increase investments and attract more capital, contributing to further economic growth in the country, while the State can also benefit from people with special competencies.
This was highlighted by Brigadier Salem Saqr al-Muraikhi, director of the Ministry of Interior (MoI)’s Legal Affairs Department, at a press conference held by the MoI in Doha Monday to discuss various aspects of the recently issued Permanent Residency Law No 10 of 2018 and the procedures for granting the Permanent Residency (PR) card.
The press meet was also attended by Brigadier Mohamed Ahmed al-Ateeq, director-general of Passports.
Brigadier al-Murakhi explained the rights and privileges a PR cardholder would enjoy in accordance with the law in terms of health, education, investments, etc. The card will be valid for a period of five years, which is renewable.
For instance, the PR cardholder may receive treatment and education in government institutions within the State on a par with Qataris, in accordance with the terms and conditions, according to the MoI. Also, the spouse of the cardholder and his/her children shall enjoy the privileges granted to the PR cardholder pertaining to residence, health and education until the age of 18 years.
The holder of the PR card shall have the right to invest in sectors of the national economy without a Qatari partner. The establishment of a company shall be in accordance with the law governing commercial companies, the statement notes. Besides, the PR cardholder may own real estate for housing and investment purposes in accordance with stipulations.
The cardholder may leave the country and return to it during the period of its validity without obtaining any consent or permit.
The terms and conditions for such benefits will be issued at a later date by the Cabinet, the official Qatar News Agency said.
Brigadier al-Muraikhi noted Qatar's continuous efforts to provide better services to citizens and residents. He said the idea of the PR Card has been in the works for some time, and is not the result of any specific event.
“Officials in the country always wanted to provide better services for those living on this land,” he stressed. “The importance of the Permanent Residency card lies in its appreciation and recognition of some categories of long-term residents. It is an extension of the fundamental constitutional concepts as it appears clearly in the speeches of His Highness the Amir where citizens are paired with residents,” he said.
Brigadier al-Ateeq said the MoI relies on providing its services through an electronic system. In line with this, an electronic network has been built, tried and tested to implement the permanent residency law.
“A committee has been formed based on this law, which will decide on these applications, receive them, discuss them and issue the relevant decisions,” he said.
He noted that a working team was formed to implement the mechanisms for receiving applications and hand over cards on completion of the relevant procedures. A PR card application form has also been prepared with all required data, he added.
MoI officials at the press conference.
