Real Estate Ownership in Qatar: Permanent Residency Card vs. Residency Card

We receive a lot of questions regarding the two types of residency permits that are given to investors when purchasing property in Qatar. We wrote this blog to make it easier for investors to know the difference between the two. Hope the below helps!

Category 1 - Permanent Residency Card

Investors who purchase real estate for a minimum value of QAR 3,650,000 (three million, six hundred and fifty thousand riyals), are eligible for the privileges prescribed for holders of the permanent residency card (healthcare, education and investment), provided the residence period of stay in the State of Qatar is for a minimum of 90 days annually, whether it is continuously or intermittently.

The list of prerequisites and conditions issued by the Amiri Diwan in accordance with Law No. (10) of 2018 on Permanent Residency are listed below:

Article 1

1. The investor has resided in the State of Qatar for a minimum period of twenty years (20) if he/she were born outside of the state, and ten years if they were born inside the State of Qatar, provided that the period of residency is consecutive, and before the date of applying for a Permanent Residency Permit.

The exit of the permit applicant from the State of Qatar for a period not exceeding sixty days per year. In all cases, such period shall be deducted from the calculation of the duration of his residence in the country. If the applicant for the Permanent Residency Permit leaves the country after submitting his/her application for obtaining it, for a period exceeding six consecutive months, the Minister of Interior may not take into account the period of his/her previous residence in the country.

2. The investor has sufficient income to meet his/her needs and dependents, and the minimum value of this income and exceptions from it shall be specified by a decision of the Council of Ministers.

3. The investor is reputable and has a good standing in the state, who has never been convicted by any final judgment in the State of Qatar or outside for any crime against honor or honesty, unless he/she has been rehabilitated.

4. He/she is familiar with the Arabic Language.

The permit for Permanent Residency shall be for a number not exceeding one hundred persons per year. With the approval of the Emir, upon the proposal of the Minister of Interior, the number provided for in the preceding paragraph may be increased, for each year separately.

Category 2 - Residency Permit

In case of purchasing a real estate of the value of not less than QAR 730,000 (seven hundred and thirty thousand riyals), the owner of the property from this category can obtain a residency permit without a sponsor needed, provided that the residence period thereof in the State is for a minimum of 90 days annually, whether it is continuously or intermittently.

The list of freehold areas are listed below:

Area	Zone
West Bay (Legtaifiya)	*Zone 66*
The Pearl	*Zone 66*
Al Khor Resort	*Zone 74*
Al Qassar (Administrative Area)	*Zone 60*
Al Dafna (Administrative Area)	*Zone 60*
Al Dafna (Administrative Area)	*Zone 61*
Onaiza (Administrative Area)	*Zone 63*
Lusail (Excluding: Waterfront Residential, Waterfront West & Northern Residential Villas)	*Zone 69*
Al Khuraij	*Zone 69*
Jabal Thuaileb (Fox Hills - Lusail)	*Zone 69*

The list of 99 year ownership is listed below:

Msheireb - Zone 13
Fereej Abul Aziz - Zone 14
Al Doha Aljadeeda - Zone 15
Old Al Ghanim - Zone 16
Al Rufaa, and Old Al Hitmi - Zone 17
Al Salata - Zone 18
Fereej Bin Mahmoud - Zone 22
Fereej Bin Mahmoud - Zone 23
Rawdat Al Khail - Zone 24
Al Mansoura, and Fereej Bin Durham - Zone 25
Najma - Zone 26
Umm Ghuwailina - Zone 27
Al Khulaifat - Zone 28
Al Sadd - Zone 38
Al Mirqab Al Jadeed, and Fereej Al Nasr - Zone 39
Doha International Airport Area - Zone 48

The main benefit of this type of residency gives you the opportunity to reside in Doha without being employed.

Please contact us if you would like to receive our detailed factsheet and Q&A's forms relating to this topic.

With extensive knowledge and expertise in Qatar’s estate market, our 25 Spaces Real Estate team is ready to help you manage your property and maximise your ROI. Our estate agents can assist you in buying or selling properties in The Pearl to match your taste and preferences.