Qatar Unveils 10-yr Residency Visa for Entrepreneurs and C-suite Executives

Qatar is set to introduce a 10-year residency programme aimed exclusively at entrepreneurs and senior executives, signalling a major shift in the country’s approach to long-term expatriate residence. The initiative was announced at Web Summit Qatar 2026.

 

The visa is not open to general professionals, freelancers or retirees, and is designed to attract high-impact business founders and top-tier corporate leadership aligned with Qatar’s economic priorities.

Who is Eligible?

The programme is limited to two categories: entrepreneurs/startup founders and senior executives.

Entrepreneurs and Startup Founders

Applicants must be building innovation-led or high-growth businesses aligned with Qatar’s private-sector strategy. A key requirement is formal endorsement from a recognised Qatari 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) over the previous three months. This threshold is intended to establish baseline financial capacity rather than serve as an investment requirement.

Senior executives

The executive pathway applies to roles such as chairman, CEO, CFO, COO, CTO and executive directors. Applicants must have at least five years’ experience in senior executive management, either in Qatar or internationally.

A valid local employment contract is mandatory. Eligible employers are limited to:

• Public shareholding companies listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange
• Banks and financial institutions licensed by the Qatar Central Bank
• Insurance companies regulated by the Qatar Central Bank or the Qatar Financial Markets Authority
• Consulting firms providing management, financial, legal or accounting services to government or semi-government entities
  
  

Salary thresholds are among the highest in the region, starting at QAR 50,000 ($13,700) per month for chairman and C-suite roles, and rising to QAR 80,000 ($22,000) for executive director positions.

How the application process works

While the programme is still in its rollout phase and no official launch date has been confirmed, eligibility details are already available through Invest Qatar.

Based on Qatar’s existing long-term residency processes, applicants can expect:

• Preparation of professional and financial documents, including contracts, credentials, business plans and bank statements
• Incubator or institutional endorsement for entrepreneurs
• Online submission via government platforms such as the Hukoomi portal, Start from Qatar, or the Jusoor platform
  
  

Processing timelines for long-term residency permits typically range from four to eight weeks, including medical examinations and security clearance. Authorities have not clarified whether holders of existing five-year residencies will be eligible to upgrade.

Alternative Residency Pathways

Qatar already offers residency through real estate investment. Foreign nationals investing QAR 730,000 ($200,000) in approved freehold zones can obtain a renewable residency permit without a sponsor. Investments of QAR 3.65 million ($1 million) may qualify applicants for permanent residency, subject to annual quotas.

Permanent residents gain access to public healthcare and education. This route operates separately from the new entrepreneur and executive visa but forms part of Qatar’s wider long-term residency framework.

What it Means for UAE Residents

For UAE-based professionals, Qatar’s 10-year residency visa is best viewed as a complement, not a replacement, to existing UAE visas. It is particularly relevant for founders, senior executives and investors with cross-GCC exposure.

UAE-based entrepreneurs operating across regional markets can use the visa to establish a second operational base in Qatar, anchored to the country’s state-backed venture ecosystem. This reduces dependence on short-term business visas and local sponsorship models.

For senior executives with Gulf-wide mandates, the visa offers long-term stability independent of project cycles. While the high salary thresholds and employer restrictions limit eligibility, those who qualify gain a durable residency option -- especially relevant for leaders managing regional operations from Doha while maintaining professional or personal ties to Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

 

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