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Qatari nationality law

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Qatari Citizenship Act
Parliament of Qatar
  • An Act relating to Qatari citizenship
Enacted byGovernment of Qatar
Passedun
Status:Current legislation

Qatari nationality lawis based mostly onjus sanguinis.Qatari citizens enjoyfreedom of movementbetween otherGulf Cooperation Councilmember states.

By birth[edit]

Children born inQatarare not granted Qatari citizenship by virtue of their place of birth.[1]

By descent[edit]

  • Any person who can demonstrate Qatari descent may apply to be a citizen of Qatar, depending on certain conditions.
  • Any person born to a Qatari father irrespective of their place of birth are Qatari citizens by descent.

By naturalization[edit]

Foreignersmay be granted citizenship if they fulfil the following conditions[2]

  • Lawful residence in the State of Qatar for no less than 25 consecutive years before applying for citizenship.
  • Availability of legitimate means to earn one's living and meet one's needs.
  • Good conduct and behavior, in addition to absence of previous conviction by final ruling in a crime of dishonor or mistrust, whether inside or outside Qatar.

By marriage[edit]

The wife of a naturalized person may be, by an Emiri decision, granted Qatari nationality by virtue of her husband, provided that her stay with him in Qatar extends for a period of at least five years from the date her husband acquired Qatari nationality. The wife will not lose her citizenship in the event that the marriage contract is broken.[3]

Dual citizenship[edit]

Qatar does not recognizedual citizenship.Holding another citizenship that's not allowed may lead to the revoking of Qatari citizenship.[4]

Loss of Qatari citizenship[edit]

The person may lose Qatari citizenship in the following cases:

  • the person joins the military service of a foreign country.
  • the person works for a foreign government that is in war with Qatar.
  • the person takes up a foreign nationality.

Citizens are allowed to voluntarily give up Qatari citizenship.[1]

Travel freedom[edit]

In 2016, Qatari citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 79 countries and territories, ranking theQatari passport60th in the world according to theVisa Restrictions Index.

References[edit]

  1. ^ab"Qatari citizenship".Archived fromthe originalon 21 February 2015.Retrieved21 February2015.
  2. ^"How to Acquire Qatari Nationality?".hukoomi.gov.qa.Retrieved31 May2022.
  3. ^"Law No. 38 of 2005 on the acquisition of Qatari nationality".almeezan.qa.Retrieved31 May2022.
  4. ^"Dual citizenship 'is not allowed under Qatari law'".Gulf News.Retrieved21 February2015.