The number of expats whose residency visa permits have expired while stranded outside the country has increased to around 75 thousand, because they did not renew their visas online through the Ministry of Interior’s (MoI) website, reports Al Rai daily. The expats or their sponsors are responsible for not renewing their residency visas through the MoI website that allowed them the opportunity to do so, taking into account all legal and humanitarian aspects, said the daily.

Regarding the fate of families whose residency visa (joining the family) is linked to the residency visas of expatriates which have expired, the daily said, quoting sources, “We are awaiting the decision to re-issue visas and return airport activities to normal, and are seeking solutions and studying their files separately.”

Regarding the new residency law, which was approved by the Council of Ministers the day before yesterday and submitted to the National Assembly, the daily reports that it is a great victory to address the imbalance in the demographic structure through practical steps, especially as it includes a complete plan and regulates the residence of expats in the country, each according to the community’s situation. It also takes into account the legal and humanitarian aspects, without affecting their presence in the country.

The daily reports that the law allows a foreign investor to reside for a 10-year period after studying the feasibility of his project, and he is granted an immediate residency visa and renewed as needed. In addition, there has been no amendment to Article 13 regarding the limiting of residency visas of foreigners to 5 years and to renew or not according to the procedures that the Ministry of interior is considering.

On the fees for renewing residency and entry visas, the daily said, quoting sources that their determination depends on the law, and then, the executive regulations that underline the fees for entry visas and visit cards.