DOHA: Qatar, isolated by its neighbours in a diplomatic crisis, on Wednesday introduced a visa-free entry programme for 80 nationalities to stimulate air transport and tourism.

“The visa exemption sch­eme will make Qatar the most open country in the region,” tourism department official Hassan al-Ibrahim told a news conference in Doha.

Interior ministry official Mohamed Rashed al-Mazrouei said that nationals of 80 countries would only need to present a valid passport for entry.

The waiver programme, which came into immediate effect, affects countries of the European Union’s Sche­ngen zone, other Western states, Latin American and Asian nations.

Nationals of 33 countries will now be authorised to reside in Qatar for 180 days and the other 47 states listed for up to 30 days, periods which are renewable a single time.

Mazrouei said the countries were selected on the basis of security and economic considerations, or for the buying power of their nationals.

Qatar Airways chief Akbar al-Baker said his carrier, which this year plans to extend its network to 62 new destinations, would be a primary beneficiary.

On Aug 3, Qatar created a new permanent residents status for certain groups of foreigners, including those who have worked for the benefit of the emirate, a first for the Gulf.

Under the new rules, children with a Qatari mother and a foreign father can benefit from the new status, along with foreign residents who have “given service to Qatar” or have “skills that can benefit the country”.

Those deemed eligible for the new status will be afforded the same access as Qataris to free public services, such as health and education.

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2017