DOHA: Three foreign investors on The Pearl-Qatar have obtained Qatari residence permits, under the sponsorship of their properties, according to the new rule that allows non-Qataris to own real estate and residential property in the country.
A Jordanian, an Indian and a Briton have become the first property owners in the luxury island to receive Qatari residence permits under the new rule.
They join the few foreigners who have already been issued residence permits under Cabinet Resolution No. 6 of 2006 that allowed non-Qataris to own real estate and commercial properties in 18 locations in the country including The Pearl. The first two expatriates -- a Pakistani and an Egyptian -- had been granted residence permits under the new rule in April this year.
Another eight investors on the Pearl have also applied for residence permits and more are expected to follow suit, Abdulrahim Al Ibrahim, director of the The Pearl-Qatar Central Authority Directorate (TCAD) said yesterday.
The residence permit has been granted for one year initially and will be extended for three years, renewable, he added. The beneficiaries would be able to hold their residence permit as long as they own the property.
"This announcement is considered a major achievement for The Pearl-Qatar and the United Development Company (UDC), because it provides security to those investors who are waiting to receive residency permits. Today's announcement makes it clear that the process is now well underway," said Al Ibrahim, addressing a press conference yesterday.
Residence permit is granted regardless of the number or size of property owned, and for the first time in the region, investors are able to sponsor their dependents and next of kin.
Property owners seeking residence permits under the new rule have to undergo the mandatory medical check up that are applicable to all foreign workers seeking the Qatari residence permit.
They can however do the tests in the three private hospitals -- Al Ahli, Al Emadi and Doha Clinic -- that recently started conducting the check up for certain segments of foreigners, in collaboration with the Medical Commission.
"This will help them complete the test procedures fast and without visiting the Medical Commission premises. The private hospitals will transfer the test results to the Medical Commission electronically. The applicants would be called in by the Medical Commission only in case of any serious problems in the results," said Dr Bassam Ahmed Qouddara, Head of Medical Section, Medical Commission who was also present at the press conference.
Al Ibrahim said the TCAD was responsible for processing applications submitted by The Pearl-Qatar property owners and for facilitating completing other required procedures including the mandatory medical check up.
"We thank the Supreme Council of Health, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Justice for their concerted efforts, which has enabled us to start the process of issuing residency permits to our investors who have purchased residential units at The Pearl-Qatar," said Saeed Al Sulaiti, Head of Administration at the Pearl Qatar.
Abdul Azzuz Al Dehami, Head, Administrative Affairs at the Medical Commission also attended the press conference.
© The Peninsula 2011
