Qatar Announces New 10-Year Residency Visa! What Is It, Who Can Apply & More Inside

Qatar is planning to roll out a 10-year residency programme. This would target entrepreneurs and senior executives, which would mark a shift in how the country approaches long-term expatriate residence. As revealed in a report of the news, the announcement was made during the Web Summit Qatar 2026.

Qatar Rolls Out 10-Year Residency Programme

As Qatar prepares to roll out 10 year residency programme, targeting entrepreneurs and senior executives, it’s evident that only they can apply for this programme. This means it is now open to general professionals, freelancer or retirees.

What About Eligibilty?

Entrepreneurs and startup founders are included in this programme. However, they must be building high impact or innovation-driven business that aligns with the private sector priorities of Qatar. In order to qualify, the applicant must obtain an official endorsement. This must be from a recognised Qatari business incubator like Qatar Science & Technology Park. Moreover, the applicants should also demonstrate financial stability. Their bank statement should show a minimum balance of AED36,500 that has been maintained over the previous three months.

For Senior Executives leaders, those leadership roles, such as Chairman, CFO, COO, CTO, CEO and executive directors are included. Basically, applicants should have at least five years of experience in Senior Executive Management. This could either be within or outside Qatar. The valid local employment contract is mandatory. The salary thresholds are among the highest in the region, so the minimum monthly income should be QAR50,000 for chairman and C-suite roles. It can rise to QAR80,000 for other Executive Director titles.

Also Read: Saudi Arabia Announces New AI Rules, Scholarships & More At The 5th Media Forum

What Could The Process Involve?

For those who fall under these categories and are eligible for the programme, the applicants can expect the process to involve:

• Preparation of professional and financial documentations
• Incubator and institutional endorsement for entrepreneurs
• Online submission through the government platforms

However, these are just speculations as the programme had not been officially launched yet. Currently in its rollout phase, the launch date is yet to be announced.

So, with the launch of the new visa programme, this allows expatriates to make Qatar their home.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/GordonBellPhotography from Getty Images