Qatar has announced a renewable Qatar 10-year residency for two groups: entrepreneurs endorsed by an approved incubator, and senior executives working for qualifying employers. It is not an investor visa and it is not open to general professionals, freelancers or retirees, according to Gulf News. The programme was announced earlier this year, and sources disagree on whether it is fully open, so founders should check the current position with Qatari authorities before planning around it.
Inside this guide
- The entrepreneur route
- The executive route
- Family and status
- How it differs from other Gulf options
- Preparing an application
- Qatar residency questions
The entrepreneur route
Gulf News says entrepreneurs must run high-impact or innovation-driven businesses and hold an endorsement from a recognised incubator, with Qatar Science and Technology Park given as an example. Vialto Partners lists the approved incubators as QFTH, QBIC, QSTP, Scale 7 or QDB, and a minimum bank balance of QAR 36,500 held over the last three months, plus a business model or investment plan. Deloitte Middle East says both local and overseas entrepreneurs may apply, though it gives no balance figure. Consider a hypothetical case. Camila is a Brazilian founder with a logistics start-up. Her first task is to win incubator endorsement, since the bank balance alone does not qualify her.
The executive route
For executives, Gulf News and Vialto agree on the core test: chairman, CEO, CFO, COO, CTO or executive director titles, at least five years of senior management experience, and a valid employment contract. Monthly pay must be at least QAR 50,000 for C-suite roles and QAR 80,000 for executive directors. The employer must be a listed company, a licensed bank or financial institution, a regulated insurer, or a consultancy serving government entities. Vialto and Deloitte add that executives need valid Qatari residency and employer nomination, so this is an upgrade path for people already in the country rather than an entry visa.
Family and status
Vialto says the permit allows sponsorship of spouses, children and parents, and Deloitte says dependents can be sponsored. Gulf News does not address family. The sources also differ on timing. Gulf News describes a rollout phase with no launch date, while Vialto and Deloitte describe the programme as introduced, and none cites a government notice with an effective date. Vialto notes it is not yet clear whether a separate work authorisation is needed. Whether existing five-year residents can upgrade is unconfirmed.
How it differs from other Gulf options
Qatar’s route is built around endorsed founders and senior staff, not property or capital deposits. Other Gulf states take different approaches, as set out in our guides to UAE company law changes, Saudi company registration and Oman free zone rules. If you are weighing where to set up, our company formation service page explains the options, and you can check wider routes with our visa eligibility checker.
Preparing an application
Gulf News says applications run through government platforms, naming the Ministry of Interior’s Hukoomi portal, Start from Qatar and Jusoor, while Deloitte points to the Jusour residency programme site. Expect to assemble credentials, contracts or a business plan, bank statements and attested documents. Because the sources are consultancy and press summaries from February and March 2026 rather than an official notice, treat the thresholds as indicative and confirm them with Invest Qatar or the Ministry of Interior. Legal and tax advice is specific to your situation, so speak to a qualified adviser.
Qatar residency questions
Who qualifies for Qatar’s 10-year residency?
Entrepreneurs endorsed by an approved incubator and senior executives at qualifying employers, according to Gulf News and Vialto Partners.
Is it an investor visa?
No. Gulf News says investors are not covered by this programme.
What bank balance do entrepreneurs need?
Gulf News and Vialto both report a minimum of QAR 36,500 maintained over the previous three months.
What salary do executives need?
QAR 50,000 a month for C-suite roles and QAR 80,000 for executive directors, according to Gulf News and Vialto.
Can my family come with me?
Vialto says spouses, children and parents can be sponsored, and Deloitte says dependents can. Gulf News does not address family.
Is the programme open now?
Sources differ. Gulf News describes a rollout phase with no launch date, while consultancies say it has been introduced. Confirm with Qatari authorities.
Sources
- Gulf News — Qatar’s new 10-year residency: who can apply and how it works. https://gulfnews.com/business/markets/qatars-new-10-year-residency-who-can-apply-how-it-works-helps-uae-workers-1.500433494
- Vialto Partners — Qatar: new self-sponsored 10-year visas open for certain categories. https://vialtopartners.com/regional-alerts/qatar-immigration-new-self-sponsored-10-year-visas-open-for-certain-categories
- Deloitte Middle East — Two new residency visas launched in Qatar for global executives and entrepreneurs. https://www.deloitte.com/middle-east/en/services/tax/perspectives/two-new-residency-visas-launched-in-qatar-for-global-executives-and-entrepreneurs.html