Qatar expat home owners qualify for residency

Qatar has just approved the first two expat residency permits linked solely to the ownership of property, a first for the Gulf States. In the UAE expat residents must be sponsored by a company, which they can set up cheaply for themselves, but property does not come with residency rights.

The Peninsula newspaper reported today that an Egyptian and Pakistani have become the first-ever foreigners to obtain residency in accordance with Cabinet Resolution No.6 of 2006 which allowed foreigners to own freehold and leasehold titles in designated areas.

Qatar first

The first five properties owned by non-Qataris were registered in 2009 and title deeds have been issued, said the report.  Al Sharq newspaper reported that 70 non-Qataris are seeking ownership under the decree that allows foreigners to own real estate and residential property but many more are expected to apply.

Provided the Ministry of Interior’s permission is granted then all non-Qatari property owners can apply for what is in effect permanent residency until the property is sold.

Many expatriate buyers in the UAE would like similar rights, although the ease with which they can set up companies to sponsor themselves does not make this a problem if they wish to stay long-term in the country.

UAE reality

Stroll along the Jumeriah Beach Residence’s The Walk and the Ras Al Khaimah Freezone is advertising trade licenses from around $4,000 which effectively allow self-sponsorship of residency.

Of course, the residency rights accorded by Qatar fall short of citizenship with its generous cradle-to-grave welfare system and political rights to vote in local elections. It is, however, a step closer and the practice in some Gulf countries is to invite long-term expats to become citizens eventually.