Qatar will introduce a 10-year residency program for entrepreneurs and senior executives, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani announced on Sunday.
The initiative extends the country’s existing five-year entrepreneur track and brings Qatar closer to the long-term entrepreneur/business residency standards in other GCC monarchies.
The Prime Minister announced the entrepreneur residency program at Web Summit Qatar on Sunday, while the Qatar Investment Authority also revealed plans to expand its venture capital program by $2 billion.
Officials will issue additional circulars to clarify documentation requirements and the categories of eligible investors before launching the program.
Expansion of Existing Entrepreneur Framework
Qatar’s current entrepreneur residency program requires applicants to secure endorsement from recognized business incubators and to make a minimum investment of QAR 250,000 (approximately $68,671).
Entrepreneurs must present a compelling business plan for an investment opportunity and maintain at least 20% ownership in their ventures. Under this framework, authorities grant five-year, renewable residence permits.
For skilled professionals, Qatar’s existing talent category requires relevant government bodies to approve applicants and recognize their expertise in 13 designated fields spanning arts, entertainment, sports, education, and scientific research.
Qatar’s residency landscape also includes a property investment pathway. Foreign individuals who invest QAR 730,000 (approximately $200,000) or more in real estate within designated freehold residential zones can obtain a residency permit without a sponsor. Higher-tier investors who commit QAR 3.65 million (around $1 million) or more qualify for permanent residency cards.
Authorities have not specified an implementation date for the 10-year entrepreneur residency program or detailed whether existing five-year permit holders will have pathways to upgrade their status.
GCC Context
The move brings Qatar in line with competing Gulf Cooperation Council states that have, over the past few years, rolled out extended residency programs to attract foreign investment and talent.
The UAE offers 10-year Golden Visas for entrepreneurs with projects valued at AED 500,000 (approximately $136,000), while Saudi Arabia provides five-year and permanent residency tracks that require investments ranging from SAR 400,000 to SAR 15 million, depending on the tier.
Kuwait approved 10- and 15-year investor permits in November 2025, and Oman grants 10-year renewable permits for investments of at least OMR 200,000 (around $520,000).
The six GCC members have historically maintained restrictive naturalization policies for foreign residents. None of the current investor or entrepreneur residency programs in the region provides guaranteed pathways to citizenship, which remains highly discretionary across the Gulf.
IMI Pros Who Can Help with Qatar Residency
