The Social and Legal Situations of the Second-Generation Arab Migrants in Qatar (SGAM) Case Study: Permanent Residency

Qatar has a population mainly composed of migrants, with more than 90% of the country's population being non-Qatari citizens. Qatar received many migrants from Arab countries during the 1970s and 1980s because of the oil boom; many remained there for decades. Therefore, the main characteristic of second-generation Arab migrants (SGAM) is that they are the offspring of migrants who migrated to Qatar within the last half-century. They were born and raised in Qatar, where they received their education and worked in the private and government sectors.

The SGAMs have high levels of productivity and engagement within Qatari society due to their predominantly young age and the expectation to live most of their life in Qatar, unlike most of the foreign migrants who usually stay for a temporary period. In addition, they could feel more attached to Qatar and bonded with Qatari citizens than other migrants because of the shared culture and language. Therefore, studying issues and policies related to their social aspects is essential.

This study evaluates the effects of the new migration laws in Qatar, particularly the introduction of the permanent residency law in 2018. Despite Qatar being a second home for most of the SGAM community, their residency situation is often considered temporary. They can return to their country of citizenship at any time. Qatar does offer some privileges to SGAMs born in the country, such as priority hiring status, especially in the government sector. However, the introduction of the permanent residency law in 2018 could alter the SGAMs' relationship with Qatar, fostering a stronger sense of attachment and belonging.