The following shall be deemed to be Qatari Nationals:
 

1.1  Those residents of Qatar who have been resident in the country since 1930 and who maintained regular legal residence in the country until the enforcement date of the aforementioned Law No. 2 of 1961. 

1.2  Any person who is proved to be of Qatari descent, albeit inthe absence of the conditions set forth in the preceding sub-article, and additionally, any person in respect to whom an Emiri decree has been promulgated.

1.3  Persons to whom Qatari nationality has been reinstated in accordance with the provisions of law.

1.4  Any person born in Qatar or in a foreign country to a Qatari father in accordance with the preceding Articles.

Any non-Qatari may acquire Qatari nationality, by decree of the Emir, provided that:     

1.      On the application date for Qatari nationality he has been a regular resident in Qatar for not less than twenty-five consecutive years. This provision shall not be prejudiced by the applicant being absent from Qatar for not more than two months in a single calendar year, provided the applicant has the intention of returning. These periods of absence shall be deducted from the actual cumulative residence period. Should the applicant leave Qatar following the submission of the nationality application, and remain absent from Qatar for longer than six months, the Interior Minister reserves the right to disregard his previous residence, and discount his application.

2.      He has a lawful means of income.
3.      He is of good repute and has not been convicted of any offence impugning his honour or integrity.
4.      Has good knowledge of the Arabic language. 

In the application of the Qatari nationality rules, in pursuance of the provisions of this Article, priority shall be given to those applicants who have a Qatari mother.
Those born to a naturalised Qatari father in Qatar or outside Qatarshall be deemed to be a naturalized Qatari.
Those born in Qatar to unknown parents shall also be deemed to be a naturalised Qatari. Foundlings shall be considered as born in Qatar unless proven otherwise.

In the event that an applicant for Qatari nationality dies before the nationality is granted, and his application satisfies the required conditions, his widow and their minor children may be granted Qatari nationality, contingent on the Emir’s decision, upon an application by the widow and upon the recommendation of the Minister of the Interior. Minor children shall inform the Minister of the Interior, in writing, of their choiceof their original nationalitythe year after they reach the age of majority (adulthood).. 

 

Qatari nationality may be granted, by a decision of the Emir, to the minor children of a naturalized person who are residing outside the country, after five years from the date of their first residence in Qatar, provided that they had not reached adulthood at the time of the application.

Minor children of naturalized persons, who are granted Qatari nationality in accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, shall declare in writing to the Minister of Interior their choice of their original nationality within one year of reaching the age of majority.

The children of a naturalised person, who have reached the age of majority, may be granted Qatari nationality, byan Emiri decision, afterfifteen (15) years have elapsed since taking up residence in Qatar.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 2 and 18 of this Law, by an Emiri decision Qatari nationality may be granted to those who have rendered great service to the country, or who have particular skills the country need, or students who excel by showing promising scientific ability. Based on the requirements of the public interest, Qatari nationality may be granted in such cases to the persons concerned, who may also retain their original nationality.

 

 

 

Qatari nationality may be reinstated, by an Emiri decision, to such person who proves to be of Qatari origin in accordance with sub-articles 1.1, 1.2, and 1.4 of Article 1 of this Law, provided that:

1.      The person has resided in Qatar for at least three consecutive years.

2.      The person has a lawful means of income sufficient to meet his needs.

3.      The person has a reputation for honesty and is of good reputation. 

In the event that the marriage is terminated by divorce or the death of the husband before the end of this aforementioned time period, and the wife is left with one or more children, she may be, by an Emiri decision, granted Qatari nationality if her residence in Qatar continued until the competition of this period. Based on the requirements of public interest before the elapse of the aforementioned period, the Minister of Interior mayissue a decisiondeferring the wife’s immediate acquisition of nationality for a renewable period of one (1) year.

11.1 Joins the military forces of another country, and persists in this enlistment despite an orderto desist therefrom.

11.2Is employed by a country with which Qatar is at war.

11.3 Joins any authority, organization, association or group whose purpose is to undermine the social, economic or political structure of Qatar.

11.4 Is convicted of a crime which impugns his loyalty to the State of Qatar. 

11.5 Acquires the nationality of another country.

The Qatari nationality may be, by an Emiri decision, reinstated to the person who has lost it in accordance with the preceding sub-article 11.5, if the public interest so requires.

Without prejudice to the circumstances in the aforementioned Article, Qatari nationality may be withdrawn from a naturalized Qatari in any one of the following circumstances:

12.1 If nationality has been acquired by fraudulent means, false testimony, concealment of essential information, or support has been given to others to fraudulently obtain Qatari nationality;

12.2 Conviction for crimes pertaining to honour and integrity;

12.3 Dismissal from a public office as a result of an irrevocable disciplinary decision or order for reasons pertaining to honour or integrity;

12.4 Upon departing from the State for a period exceeding one year without presenting lawful justification for this absence.

Under any circumstances and on the proposal of the Minister of the Interior, Qatari nationality may be withdrawn from a naturalized person if this withdrawal is considered, with sufficient supporting justification, to be in the public interest.

 

Save as otherwise provided for in the removal or withdrawal decision, the forfeiture of nationality shall only apply to the person concerned.

 

Naturalized Qataris shall not be equated with Qatari nationals in terms of the right to work in public positions or work in general until five (5) years after the date of naturalization. Naturalized Qataris shall not be entitled to participate in elections or nominations or be appointed in any legislative body.

 

In accordance with the provisions of Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, Qatari nationality shall notbe granted to more than fifty (50) applicants in one calendar year.

Save as by a decision of the Emir, it shall be prohibited for any person to have in addition to theQatari nationality another nationality.

 

Naturalized Qataris, immediately after being granted the nationality, shall swear the following oath of allegiance before the judges of a Court of First Instance:

“I swear by God Almighty to be loyal to the State of Qatar and the Emir, to respect the laws and regulations of the State, to serve my country with honour,truthfulness and loyalty, and to protect its security and stability.”  

 

 

 

The Qatari Nationality Law No. 2 of 1961 shall be repealed.

 

All competentauthorities, each within its respective jurisdiction,shall implementthis Law, which shall be published in the Official Gazette.