Qatari nationality law
| Qatari Citizenship Act | |
|---|---|
| Parliament of Qatar | |
| |
| Enacted by | Government of Qatar |
| Status: Current legislation | |
Qatari nationality law is based mostly on jus sanguinis. Qatari citizens enjoy freedom of movement between other Gulf Cooperation Council member states. For a period of time though, this was stopped unless there were extenuating circumstances.[1]
By birth
[edit]Children born in Qatar do not automatically acquire Qatari citizenship by virtue of their place of birth.[2]
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]There is no defined process for applying for Qatari citizenship by naturalization. Grants are rare, and since 2005, there has been a cap of a maximum of 50 people per year.[3]
Foreigners may be granted citizenship if they fulfil the following conditions[4]
- 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.[5]
Dual citizenship
[edit]Qatar does not recognize dual citizenship. Holding another citizenship that's not allowed may lead to the revoking of Qatari citizenship.[6]
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.[2]
Travel freedom
[edit]In 2025, Qatari citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 111 countries and territories, ranking the Qatari passport 48th in the world according to the Visa Restrictions Index.
References
[edit]- ↑ "Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Bahrain cut ties to Qatar | News | Al Jazeera". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Qatari citizenship". Archived from the original on 21 February 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
- ↑ "The (narrow) path to Qatari citizenship – Doha News | Qatar". dohanews.co. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ "How to Acquire Qatari Nationality?". hukoomi.gov.qa. Archived from the original on 23 May 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
- ↑ "Law No. 38 of 2005 on the acquisition of Qatari nationality". almeezan.qa. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
- ↑ "Dual citizenship 'is not allowed under Qatari law'". Gulf News. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
