Qatar Announces Launch of 10-Year Residency Program

Qatar will introduce a 10-year residency program aimed at entrepreneurs and senior business figures, as announced during Web Summit Qatar, according to official statements.

The initiative expands the country’s existing five-year entrepreneur residency framework and moves Qatar closer to the long-term business residency models already adopted across the Gulf.

Alongside the announcement, Qatar Investment Authority confirmed plans to expand its venture capital program by $2 billion, underscoring a broader effort to attract founders, investors, and growth-stage companies.

Officials indicated that further circulars will be issued ahead of launch to clarify eligibility categories, documentation requirements, and investment thresholds. No implementation date has yet been confirmed.

Current Residency Framework in Qatar

Under existing rules, entrepreneur applicants must:

• obtain endorsement from recognised business incubators
• invest a minimum of QAR 250,000 (≈$68,700)
• submit a viable business plan
• retain at least 20% ownership in the venture

Successful applicants are granted a five-year renewable residence permit.

Qatar also operates a talent residency track for skilled professionals, requiring approval from relevant authorities across 13 designated fields, including education, science, arts, sports, and research.

GCC Residency Context

The move aligns Qatar with broader trends across the Gulf Cooperation Council, where extended residency programs are increasingly used to attract foreign capital and talent.

The United Arab Emirates offers 10-year Golden Visas for qualifying entrepreneurs, while Saudi Arabia provides multi-tier residency options ranging from fixed-term to permanent status.

Kuwait approved 10- and 15-year investor permits in late 2025, and Oman grants 10-year renewable residency for qualifying investments.

Despite these developments, none of the GCC residency programs offer guaranteed pathways to citizenship, which remains highly discretionary across the region.