Expats in Qatar will have to make a minimum of QR10,000 a month if they want to bring their families here, the Ministry of Interior has decided.

Previously, the minimum salary amount was QR8,000.

It is unclear whether expats already living in Qatar with their families will have to meet the new requirements. 

Citing Al Sharq, the Peninsula reports:

The salary requirement has now been revised taking into account the rising cost of living in the country, the daily said.

Expatriates bringing their families to Qatar should have the financial capacity to maintain a decent standard of living.

This rationale is interesting, given the government’s many reassurances following salary hikes for nationals that it would protect consumers from inflation and price increases.

The new requirement also goes against recommendations to allow bachelors to bring their families to Qatar as a way to improve the country’s gender imbalance.

What do you guys think? Anyone else scratching their heads over this?