Qatar has taken a defining step in its mission to become the region’s premier destination for global talent. The country has officially launched a 10-year long-term residency programme — and if you are an entrepreneur, a founder, or a senior executive, this could be one of the most significant opportunities of your professional life.

At TBC Business Consultancy, we have been at the forefront of helping professionals and businesses establish, grow, and thrive in Qatar. In this guide, we break down everything you need to know about Qatar’s new long-term residency programme — who qualifies, what the benefits are, how to apply, and why now is the right time to make Qatar your permanent professional home.

What Is Qatar’s Long-Term Residency Programme?

Qatar’s long-term residency programme is a 10-year renewable residency initiative designed to attract the world’s most talented entrepreneurs and senior executives. The programme was officially unveiled by Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani at the opening of Web Summit Qatar 2026 on February 1, 2026 — a fitting stage for a policy aimed squarely at innovation leaders and business builders.

Applications are now live and open via the Jusour online platform, operated by the Qatar Manpower Solutions Company. This is not a pilot or a proposal — the programme is active, and eligible candidates can begin their applications today.

The initiative is central to Qatar’s broader national strategy to diversify its economy, reduce dependence on oil revenues, and establish the country as a regional and global hub for innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship. It reflects a clear message from Qatar’s leadership: the country wants skilled, ambitious, high-impact professionals — and it is willing to offer genuine long-term stability to attract and retain them.

Why Qatar Is Launching This Programme Now

To understand the significance of this programme, it helps to understand the context behind it. Qatar is in the midst of a profound economic transformation. Guided by the Qatar National Vision 2030, the country is actively diversifying away from hydrocarbon dependency and investing heavily in knowledge-based industries, technology, financial services, and innovation-driven sectors.

Attracting global entrepreneurial talent and experienced executives is not just a policy ambition — it is an economic necessity. By offering 10-year renewable residency, Qatar is making a long-term commitment to the professionals it wants to bring in, and in return, it expects those professionals to contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic and innovation ecosystem.

The timing of the announcement at Web Summit Qatar 2026 was deliberate. Web Summit is one of the world’s most influential technology and startup conferences. Launching a landmark residency programme at this event sent a powerful signal to the global startup and investment community: Qatar is serious about becoming a home for innovators, not just a destination for short-term contracts.

The Two Residency Tracks Explained

The 10-Year Long-Term Residency Programme is structured around two distinct tracks, each designed for a specific professional profile. Understanding which track applies to you is the first step in the application process.

Track 1: Entrepreneur Residency

The Entrepreneur Residency track is designed for founders, startup builders, and scaling business owners who are building ventures within Qatar’s growing innovation ecosystem. This track is ideal for:

• Early-stage founders with a validated business concept
• Scaling startups looking for a strategic base in the Gulf region
• Entrepreneurs seeking access to Qatar’s incubation and mentorship networks

To qualify for the Entrepreneur Residency, applicants must secure an endorsement from a recognised Qatar incubator. The approved incubators currently include:

• Qatar Development Bank (QDB)
• Qatar FinTech Hub
• Qatar Business Incubation Centre (QBIC)
• Scale7
• Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP)

Securing an endorsement from one of these institutions is a critical eligibility requirement. It ensures that the programme attracts founders who are genuinely committed to building within Qatar’s ecosystem — not simply seeking residency as a passport benefit.

Key benefits of the Entrepreneur Residency include:

• Up to 10-year renewable residency — giving founders the long-term stability needed to build and scale a business without the anxiety of short-term visa renewals
• Sponsorship of dependents and relatives — allowing your family to join you and build a life in Qatar
• Family visit visas and domestic worker sponsorship — practical support for day-to-day family life
• Asset ownership rights — enabling you to own property and build long-term wealth in Qatar
• Access to tailored mentorship and incubator support — connecting you with Qatar’s growing entrepreneurial community and its network of investors, advisors, and partners
• Exclusive merchant discounts — designed to lower the cost of living and support early-stage business growth

Track 2: Executive Residency

The Executive Residency track is aimed at senior professionals already living and working in Qatar who wish to transition from employer-sponsored residency to a more secure, long-term status. This track recognises that Qatar is already home to many of the world’s most experienced executives — and that retaining them requires offering something more than a residency tied to a single employer.

Eligible roles include CEOs, chairpersons, directors, and other senior leadership positions that meet the programme’s defined criteria. The transition is facilitated through employer nomination, making it a relatively streamlined process for qualifying executives already in the country with a valid Qatar ID (QID).

The benefits of the Executive Residency mirror those of the Entrepreneur track, with one particularly significant addition: executives retain their residency status even if they change or lose their employment. This is a landmark provision. It means that for the first time, senior professionals in Qatar are not entirely dependent on their employer for their right to remain in the country. This single feature transforms the professional calculus for executives considering Qatar as a long-term home — and for their families who have built lives here.

Who Should Apply and When

If you fall into either of the following categories, the time to act is now:

You are an entrepreneur if:

• You are building a startup or growth-stage business and are seeking a long-term base in the Middle East
• You are already working with or can secure endorsement from one of Qatar’s recognised incubators
• You want access to Qatar’s business ecosystem, investor network, and government support structures
• You are looking for a stable, family-friendly environment to grow your company

You are an eligible executive if:

• You currently reside in Qatar with a valid QID in a senior leadership role
• You hold a position at CEO, chairperson, director, or equivalent level
• You want long-term residency security independent of your current employer
• You have family in Qatar and want to ensure their stability regardless of employment changes

Applications are live on the Jusour platform now. Given that this is a newly launched programme with strong international interest, early applications are advisable. Being among the first to apply positions you ahead of what is likely to be growing demand as awareness of the programme spreads globally.

What This Means for Qatar’s Business Ecosystem

The launch of the 10-Year Long-Term Residency Programme has broader implications beyond individual applicants. For Qatar’s business ecosystem as a whole, this initiative is expected to:

• Increase the depth and diversity of entrepreneurial talent available to Qatar-based incubators, accelerators, and investors
• Reduce talent attrition among senior executives who previously left Qatar due to residency uncertainty
• Attract international venture capital by creating a more stable and predictable environment for portfolio companies to operate
• Strengthen Qatar’s startup ecosystem by giving founders the confidence to make long-term infrastructure, hiring, and investment commitments
• Position Doha as a genuine competitor to Dubai and Riyadh as the Gulf region’s leading hub for global business talent

For businesses already operating in Qatar, this means access to a deeper talent pool, more stable senior leadership teams, and a more vibrant local startup ecosystem to partner with, invest in, or recruit from.

How TBC Business Consultancy Supports Your Residency Application

Navigating a new government programme — even one designed to be accessible — involves complexity. Understanding eligibility criteria, preparing documentation, securing incubator endorsements, and managing the application process correctly from the start can make the difference between a smooth approval and costly delays.

TBC Business Consultancy offers end-to-end support for professionals pursuing Qatar’s long-term residency programme:

• Eligibility Assessment: We evaluate your profile against both the Entrepreneur and Executive tracks to determine the most appropriate pathway for you
• Incubator Endorsement Advisory: For entrepreneurs, we guide you through the process of engaging with Qatar’s recognised incubators and positioning your application for endorsement
• Document Preparation: We ensure your application documentation is complete, accurate, and presented in line with official requirements
• Employer Nomination Coordination: For executives, we liaise with your HR and legal teams to facilitate the employer nomination process smoothly
• Application Submission Support: We guide you through the Jusour platform and ensure your application is submitted correctly the first time
• Post-Approval Compliance: Once residency is granted, we provide ongoing advisory services to help you maintain compliance and take full advantage of the programme’s benefits

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the programme open to all nationalities? 

Yes. The programme is designed to attract global talent and is open to eligible applicants of all nationalities.

Q: Can I apply if I am not currently in Qatar? 

The Entrepreneur Residency track is open to founders internationally who can secure incubator endorsement. The Executive Residency is designed for senior professionals already residing in Qatar with a valid QID.

Q: Where do I apply? 

Applications are submitted through the Jusour online platform operated by Qatar Manpower Solutions Company.

Q: What happens to my residency if I lose my job as an executive? 

One of the most significant features of the Executive 10-Year Long-Term Residency Programme is that your status is retained even if you change or lose employment — giving you and your family genuine long-term security.

Q: How can TBC Business Consultancy help me?

We provide complete advisory and application support for both residency tracks. Contact our team for a personalised eligibility consultation.

Make Qatar Your Long-Term Home — with TBC Business Consultancy

Qatar’s 10-Year Long-Term Residency Programme is more than a visa — it is an invitation to build something lasting in one of the world’s most dynamic and forward-thinking economies. Whether you are a founder ready to scale your startup in the Gulf or a senior executive who has already made Qatar home and wants the security to stay, this programme was designed for you.

TBC Business Consultancy is ready to help you navigate every step of the process — from eligibility to approval and beyond. Our team combines deep local expertise with a genuine understanding of what international professionals and entrepreneurs need to succeed in Qatar.

Contact TBC Business Consultancy today and take the first step toward securing your long-term future in Qatar.