DOHA, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Qatar has approved a law to grant permanent residency to expatriates under certain conditions, said state-run Qatar News Agency on Wednesday.

The Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani approved the permanent residency law, stipulating that expatriates who fulfill eligibility criteria can apply for a permanent residency.

Candidates born abroad should complete 20 years in Qatar on a legal, ordinary residency, and for those born in Qatar, the time required will be 10 years.

Under the new law, non-Qataris will be allowed to get medical treatment and education in government institutions as well as other privileges, the report said.

The law will also offer permanent residency card to children of a Qatari woman married to a non-Qatari, as well as to foreigners who provide valuable services to Qatar.

The move was part of the country's efforts aiming at facilitating and attracting foreign investments, said the report.