Qatar plans 10-year residency for entrepreneurs, investors to draw talent

New long-term stay plan and $2 billion VC expansion aim to attract founders, investors and global talent

Qatar will introduce a 10-year residency programme for entrepreneurs and senior executives, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Sunday.

 

Speaking at the Qatar edition of the Web Summit, he said the move would give long-term certainty to business leaders and founders looking to base themselves in the country.

 

The announcement places Qatar alongside regional peers such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both of which have rolled out long-term residency options in recent years to attract global talent and investment.

 

The prime minister also announced a $2 billion expansion of Qatar’s venture capital programme. This builds on the existing Fund of Funds initiative, currently valued at $1 billion, which was set up to attract international venture capital firms, support entrepreneurship and reduce the country’s reliance on gas revenues.

 

Why Qatar is moving to long-term residency now

 

The new residency programme is part of a broader push to position Qatar as a regional base for business, innovation and startups.

 

Alongside residency reform, the expansion of the venture capital programme is intended to support early-stage companies, draw global investors and accelerate the growth of local startups. The existing Fund of Funds was designed to anchor international VC players in Qatar and channel capital into innovation-led businesses.

 

While the government has not yet released detailed eligibility rules or timelines, the announcement follows a clear regional pattern, with neighbouring Gulf states offering longer stays to skilled professionals, investors and founders.

 

Saudi Arabia: Premium residency as an economic lever

 

Saudi Arabia’s long-term residency framework is closely tied to Vision 2030, the kingdom’s plan to diversify away from oil.

 

At the centre of this is the Saudi Premium Residency, often described as a green card-style system.

 

Key features include:

 

> Long-term or permanent residency without a local sponsor

> The right to own property and operate a business

> Freedom to change jobs and sponsor family members

 

Eligibility spans investors, entrepreneurs, specialised professionals and property owners who meet income or asset thresholds. The policy is designed to keep international talent in the country long enough to contribute to sectors such as technology, tourism and advanced manufacturing.

 

UAE: Golden visas and professional mobility

 

The UAE moved earlier, launching and steadily expanding its UAE Golden Visa programme. These visas typically run for five or ten years and are renewable.

 

Who qualifies:

 

Investors and entrepreneurs

Scientists, researchers and senior professionals

Doctors, engineers, creatives and outstanding students

 

Golden visa holders can live, work and study without a national sponsor, sponsor family members and, in many cases, own 100 per cent of their businesses. Over time, the UAE has widened eligibility beyond high-net-worth individuals to include mid-career professionals, reflecting labour market demand.

 

According to immigration law firm X-Axis, Qatar’s proposed 10-year residency is expected to mirror aspects of the UAE and Saudi models, offering greater certainty to entrepreneurs looking to set up startups, regional headquarters or investment operations in the country.