Qatar has made a move that will likely affect thousands of foreigners living in the country.
Foreigners married to Qatari women, those who have performed great services for the state and other expatriates with special competencies will soon be eligible for permanent residency status and those who are granted the new status would be afforded the same education and health care rights as Qataris. They would also enjoy priority for government and military jobs after locals, and be allowed to own real estate in the country.
Qatar is the first gulf country to offer such type of status. This was suggested by Qatar’s National Development Strategy 2011-2016, as part of efforts to retain high-quality expat talent.
Dubai did announce similar plans in February of this year, mostly aimed at people with “extraordinary ability” in science, math and business
Foreigners can apply for the status with the Ministry of Interior.