Qatar is set to launch a new 10-year residency programme aimed at entrepreneurs and senior executives, signalling a shift in the country’s approach to long-term expatriate residence. The initiative was announced during Web Summit Qatar 2026 and is positioned as a targeted pathway rather than a broad-based residency option.
Who is eligible
The scheme is restricted to two categories only: entrepreneurs and senior executives. It does not apply to general professionals, freelancers, or retirees.
Entrepreneurs and startup founders
Applicants must be building high-impact or innovation-led businesses that align with Qatar’s private-sector priorities. Eligibility requires official endorsement from a recognised Qatari business incubator, such as Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP).
Entrepreneurs must also demonstrate financial stability by maintaining a minimum bank balance of QAR 36,500 ($10,000) for at least three consecutive months. Authorities have clarified that this requirement is intended to confirm basic financial capacity, not to replace investment thresholds.
Senior executives
The executive track is open to individuals holding top leadership roles, including chairman, CEO, CFO, COO, CTO, and executive directors. Applicants must have a minimum of five years’ experience in senior executive management, whether inside or outside Qatar.
A valid local employment contract is mandatory, and eligible employers are limited to specific entities, including publicly listed companies on the Qatar Stock Exchange, banks and financial institutions licensed by the Qatar Central Bank, insurance firms regulated by financial authorities, and consulting firms providing services to government or semi-government bodies.
Salary requirements are among the highest in the region. Minimum monthly income starts at QAR 50,000 ($13,700) for chairman and C-suite roles and rises to QAR 80,000 ($22,000) for other executive director positions.
Application process
The programme is currently in its rollout phase, and an official launch date has yet to be announced. Eligibility details, however, are already available through Invest Qatar.
Based on existing long-term residency frameworks, applicants should expect to prepare professional and financial documentation, including credentials, employment contracts, business plans, and bank statements. Entrepreneurs will need formal incubator endorsement, followed by online submission through government platforms such as the Ministry of Interior’s Hukoomi portal, Start from Qatar, or the Jusoor portal.
Processing timelines for long-term permits in Qatar typically range from four to eight weeks, including medical checks and security clearance. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether holders of existing five-year residencies will be able to upgrade to the new 10-year visa.
Alternative residency routes
Qatar already offers residency options linked to real-estate investment. Foreign nationals investing QAR 730,000 ($200,000) in approved freehold residential zones can obtain a renewable residency permit without a sponsor. Those investing QAR 3.65 million ($1 million) may apply for permanent residency, subject to annual quotas.
Permanent residency provides access to public healthcare and education and operates separately from the new entrepreneur and executive visa, forming part of Qatar’s wider long-term residency strategy.
Relevance for UAE residents
For UAE residents, Qatar’s new 10-year residency introduces an additional long-term option in the Gulf rather than a replacement for existing UAE visas. It is particularly relevant for founders, senior executives, and investors with regional operations.
Entrepreneurs based in the UAE who are active across GCC markets can use the Qatar residency to establish a secondary operational base linked to the country’s state-backed innovation ecosystem, reducing reliance on short-term business visas and sponsorship models.
Senior executives with regional mandates may also benefit, especially those managing Gulf-wide operations from Doha while maintaining professional or personal ties to Dubai or Abu Dhabi. While the high salary thresholds limit eligibility to top-tier leadership, the programme offers qualifying applicants long-term residency independent of project cycles.
