After two years of preparation, Canada has finally opened its embassy to all Qatar residents.
The office, located on the 30th floor of Tornado Tower in West Bay, initially launched in 2012, but since then has only served in a trade capacity for commercial activities between Canada and Qatar.
That meant the country’s 7,200 Canadian expats – and those seeking visas to the North American country – needed to send their paperwork to Kuwait and the UAE for processing.
Last fall, an ongoing staff strike at these diplomatic missions slowed procedures down considerably for those living in the Gulf, including in Qatar.
Visa services
Though the embassy is officially open, services for non-citizens who wish to visit or study in Canada are still in the process of being set up, officials said in a statement:
“Regarding visa services, the Government of Canada is in discussions to open a Visa Application Centre in Doha that will assist people living in Qatar to apply for a visa for Canada. Until such time, visa applications still need to be sent to the Visa Application Centre in Abu Dhabi.”
However, last month, Canadian expats were sent an email stating that passport applications for citizens would start being processed on Sunday, June 8.
Speaking to Doha News, one resident called the development “awesome news for Canadians,” and said he was glad he’d no longer have to pay QR800 in courier fees to send his paperwork to Kuwait.
Thoughts?
7200 Canadians in Qatar of which 6999 were born out side of Canada and have no intention of returning…..
Don’t worry. When they need medical help or evacuation due to conflict, they will come flocking back on the taxpayer’s dime.
Hahaha true …
I remember interviewing one chap and the first thing he said to me was ‘I am Canadian citizenship’
I said, ‘sorry you mean Canadian citizen, not the whole citizenship process’
At the end of the interview he said, ‘don’t forget I am Canadian citizenship’
When I ask to see he passport he showed me his landed immigrant card. I said you have to live in Canada to get the passport and citizenship. He said no he couldn’t do that because he would have to pay tax.
Bizarre .
I have heard of instances where families have even pretended to live there after declaring landing, through keeping a valid mailbox at a home there. Throughout this period, they are actually elsewhere, biding the residence period out until they can get the citizenship.
That was certainly, and shamefully,very true up until about 4 years ago. Now they are being pretty rigorous about revoking PR of folks like that. There are still many many folks trying to work that con though. Doing a PR app through the Abu Dhabi office takes about 2 years and needs about twice as many documents as many other places because of how common this scam is in countries handled by the Abu Dhabi office; on the other hand, I know people who went through Australia in three months.
I still can’t believe Australia doesn’t have an embassy in Qatar !
Why? There is one in the UAE. No need for one here, Australians are here mostly working for govt or big companies, Australians would be silly to start his own business here due to the risk and inequity associated with the 51 percent ownership etc etc, although a small percentage have. Secondly trade arrangements are pretty much one way, Qatar needs Australia for food security, Australia does not need Qatars gas or oil, we have our own. Lastly Australians can get full consular assistance from Canadian embassies due to an MOU enacted in 1986 between the 2 countries that provides cross embassy assistance.
http://travel.gc.ca/assistance/emergency-info/consular/framework/canada-australia
“Secondly trade arrangements are pretty much one way, Qatar needs Australia for food security, Australia does not need Qatars gas or oil, we have our own.”
I would like to quote The Big Lebowski here and say: Well, you know, that’s just like.. your opinion, man!
Why am I saying that?
The Australian Ambassador (resident in AD but covers Qatar as well) met with the Minister of Economy and Commerce in Qatar a few days ago, and he begs to differ.
So what he met with him, big deal, people meet everyday the power difference, and reasons are all different…it could have just been a meeting to tick the box that he is doing the rounds of his area, could have been to discuss the upswell of the Australian publics opposition to live export and treatment of livestock in Qatar, could have been to discuss which does the best meal La Mer or Gordan Ramsay, and anyway thats like your opinion man. Qatar needs Australia more than Australia needs Qatar , its international trade and relations 101 my man, it is pretty much one way. If Qatar stopped buying Australian produce it would hardly make a ripple and the produce would just go to China, UAE, etc… Australian knowledge and skills are required here in Qatar, Qatar knowledge and skill are not required in Australia. Australia does not require anything from Qatar. Lastly how do you know he begs to differ and how do you know I don’t know the opposite?
Because I attended the meeting 🙂
That was easy. Security breach anyone!
Security breach? Hahaha..If you follow the right news sources related to world trade, you would know why Australia among other countries would have an increasing interest in the region now. It’s alright mate, accept this new piece of information and you’re welcome.
“No need for one here” You cut me so deep :'(