Qatar has launched two new categories of Residency Visas for high growth entrepreneurs and senior executives, in line with Qatar’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its position as a leading global hub for talent, innovation and investment. 

The new visa were announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar during his official remarks at the opening night of Web Summit Qatar 2026. 

These new categories reinforce Qatar’s commitment to attracting exceptional global talent and empowering industry leaders to set up, operate and scale high impact ventures from Qatar, he said.

The Residency Visa for Executives targets talented senior professionals contributing to Qatar’s private sector growth and development. This category offers a simplified employer nominated pathway for long-term residency, ensuring business continuity and supporting the development of a strong leadership talent base across national priority sectors. 

The Residency Visa for Entrepreneurs provides a dedicated pathway for founders, partners and innovators who aim to establish their investment projects or expand their businesses within Qatar’s thriving and fast-growing business environment. Holders of this residency are offered an array of benefits, including long-term residency with renewal options, access to the national ecosystem of business incubators and accelerators, as well as additional benefits that help reduce cost of living through an extensive network of partners.

The new residency visas have been designed to offer streamlined and simplified procedures, preferential services and direct access to facilitation platforms that allow business leaders to focus on scaling their operations and contributing to the country’s long term economic transformation, a statement said. 

Sheikh Ali bin Alwaleed Al Thani, CEO of Invest Qatar, said: “Qatar’s growth story is powered by people, by innovators, leaders and builders who recognise the opportunities created by our future focused economy. The launch of these Residency Visas represents a significant step in attracting global talent and enabling them to thrive in Qatar, contributing to the development of high impact ventures, while strengthening Qatar’s position as a leading, attractive, and highly competitive global destination closely connected to international business hubs, in line with the Third National Development Strategy.”

Abdulrahman bin Hesham Al‑Sowaidi, CEO of Qatar Development Bank, said: “The introduction of the new Residency Visas marks an important milestone in strengthening Qatar’s entrepreneurial and private sector landscape. It paves the way toward achieving the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 to build a knowledge-based economy. This new residency also enables entrepreneurs to establish and expand their businesses in Qatar, which offers high quality of life, world-class infrastructure and a supportive business environment.”

He added: “At Qatar Development Bank, we are committed to supporting the attraction of global talent by providing access to funding, capital, capability development, and market opportunities that enable entrepreneurs and executives to innovate, grow, and contribute to diversifying the national economy and enhancing its competitiveness."

Driving economic diversification and innovation

The introduction of the new residency visas strengthens Qatar’s strategic ambition to expand its innovation, technology and private sector capabilities. By attracting highly experienced executives and high growth entrepreneurs, the programme accelerates economic diversification and reinforces the country’s position as a global hub for entrepreneurship and high-skilled talent.

Holders of the new residency visas can access a range of professional and lifestyle benefits, including a long term, self-sponsored residency for a five-year period with option to renew and priority access to business support programmes and innovation networks. The benefits also include structured pathways to facilitate onboarding, licensing and work permits, as well as direct engagement with Qatar’s ecosystem of incubators, accelerators and strategic partners, said a statement. – TradeArabia News Service