Review visit visa age bar

Review visit visa age bar
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=290453...
Dear Sir,

I feel that the bar on issuing visiting visas to expatriates’ parents over the age of 60 is not fair.

The visit visa application for my father had initially been rejected by the Immigration Department on the ground that he is over 60. After a couple of visits to the department, I got a chance to meet the officer in charge. At first he refused to approve my application but after my pleadings and arguments the kind-hearted officer finally granted me the visa. I would like to use this opportunity to thank him.

Qatar is a Muslim country and Islamic teachings and principles stress the importance of taking care of one’s parents in their old age. Unfortunately, this visit visa rule in Qatar goes against Islamic principles.

Human beings need support when they get old. In most parts of the world, including the UAE, the government, by easing the visa rules, gives an opportunity to the expatriate community to look after their parents by bringing them here to stay with them. In fact, the more the age, the easier their visa procedures.

So my request to the authority concerned is: please revise the visiting visa rule for the aged parents, and whoever involved in doing so, may Allah reward them and increase their blessings.

Ibrahim

(Address supplied)