Only a limited number of foreigners can obtain the permanent residence permit, which is a landmark development among the Gulf countries. Interestingly, Emir Sheikh Tamim Hamad Al Thani allows only one hundred expat foreigners to become permanent residents per year. However, they will have access to the more than generous welfare system of Qatar, and they get commercial rights, which is allowed only for the citizens of the world's biggest natural gas exporter country. The responsible authority is the Ministry of Interior. The reason behind the unexpected new solution is the year-long boycott of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain against Qatar. So, Qatar has to encourage foreigners to stay in the country by granting them more rights. However, the new scheme only affects a small percentage of the 2,7 million expatriates, which form 90% of the population. Only those foreigners, who were born in Qatar and had lived for ten years there qualify for the residence permit. Meanwhile, those foreign workers, who were born abroad must prove that they have been residing for ten years in Qatar. Knowledge of the Arabic language and clear police clearance certificate are the other most essential requisites. Among the benefits of the programme, perhaps most important is the right to establish commercial companies without a local partner. These companies may also take part in economic projects on the national level. Another amendment of the current regulations is that Qatar abolished the famous "exit visa". Currently expatriates must have an exit visa to be able to leave the country. Practically, the employers can ask the relevant authorities not to let their employees leave Qatar "due to work necessities", but not more than five per cent of their workforce. The employees can appeal to an official committee, and they will decide within 3 working days, according to Bloomberg.

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