QatarBusiness and self-employment
Qatar Entrepreneur Residency for start-up founders
Entrepreneur Residency (Invest Qatar with partner incubators)
In short
Founders and co-founders incubated by a recognised Qatari incubator can obtain long-term, renewable residency through Invest Qatar. The incubator nominates the founder to Jusour; applicants already in Qatar need a three-month balance of at least QAR 36,500, while overseas applicants show at least USD 10,000. Overseas founders receive an entry permit and complete medical, fingerprints and Qatar ID after arrival.
Apply on Invest Qatar – Residency Program checked 23 October 2026
Key facts
- Validity
- Long-term residency with a renewal option; no fixed term is published.
- Funds required
- QAR 36,500Minimum bank balance over the past three months for applicants in Qatar; overseas applicants need an attested statement showing at least USD 10,000.
- Work
- Yes, to run the incubated business.
- Family
- Sponsorship of dependants and relatives, including family visit visas, and of domestic workers.
- Path to permanent residence
- Years of legal residence count toward the 20 years needed for permanent residency.
- Where to apply
- From abroad or inside Qatar, after nomination by the incubator to Jusour.
Who is eligible
The programme targets early-stage or scaling entrepreneurs aged 18 or over who are endorsed by one of Invest Qatar's partner incubators: QBIC, Scale7 (QDB), QFH, QSTP, QDB and Startup Qatar. Being accepted into an incubator is the first condition; the residency cannot be requested without its endorsement letter.
Documents and attestation
Overseas applicants provide a passport valid at least six months, a photo, the attested bank statement, CV, an attested police clearance certificate and the incubator letter. Attestation means authentication by the issuing body, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country and the Qatari embassy.
Required documents
Identity
- Passport valid at least six months (overseas) or Qatar ID copy (residents), plus recent photo
Money
- Three-month bank statement: QAR 36,500 minimum (residents, stamped) or USD 10,000 minimum (overseas, attested)
Work
- Endorsement letter from a recognised Qatari incubator
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
Other
- Attested police clearance certificate (overseas applicants)
Supporting documents (where they apply)
Work
- Establishment card (applicants already in Qatar)
Money requirement
Applicants living in Qatar show a balance of at least QAR 36,500, or the equivalent, maintained over the past three months. Applicants abroad submit an attested three-month bank statement showing at least USD 10,000.
Application route
After incubation, the incubator nominates the founder to Jusour with an endorsement letter. The founder receives an application link and uploads the form and documents. Residents receive their updated Qatar ID on approval; overseas founders receive an entrepreneur entry permit and, after arriving, complete the medical test, fingerprinting and Qatar ID issuance.
- Apply to and be accepted by one of the partner incubators.
- Prepare the bank statement and have the police clearance and statement attested in the issuing country and by the Qatari embassy.
- The incubator nominates you to Jusour with an endorsement letter.
- Complete the online form from the link you receive and upload the documents.
- Overseas: receive the entrepreneur entry permit and travel to Qatar.
- Complete the medical test and fingerprinting and collect your Qatar ID.
Benefits
Invest Qatar lists long-term renewable residency, sponsorship of dependants and relatives including family visit visas, sponsorship of domestic workers, asset ownership, incubator mentoring and preferential commercial access.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a company before applying?
You need to be incubated by a recognised Qatari incubator; the incubator's endorsement is the basis of the application.
How much money do I need?
At least QAR 36,500 held over three months if you live in Qatar, or USD 10,000 shown on an attested statement if you apply from abroad.
Can my family join me?
Yes. Entrepreneur residents can sponsor dependants and relatives, including on family visit visas.
Who do I contact with questions?
The Jusour residency team, reachable by phone on +974 4401 1009 or by e-mail, Sunday to Thursday.
Official sources
- Invest Qatar – Residency Program (Entrepreneur and Executive Residency)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar – Qatar and Türkiye (embassy in Ankara, consulate in Istanbul)
Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.
Other visa types for Qatar
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa Maximum stay: Set by the Ministry of Interior at entry for each nationality; Qatar's visa-free visitors stay for varying periods depending on the passport.
- Transit visa Maximum stay: Up to 4 days
- Family and friends visit visa Maximum stay: One month on entry; longer only with an extension approved by the Ministry of Interior.
Study and training
- Student visa Validity: Qatar University residence permits are normally issued for one year and renewed.
Work
- Work visa Validity: Residence permits are renewed for one to three years at a time.
- Skilled worker visa Validity: Long-term residency with a renewal option; Invest Qatar does not publish a fixed term.
Family
- Family reunification visa Validity: Linked to the sponsor's residence; renewed for one to three years.
Residence
- Golden visa and residence by investment Validity: Five years, renewable, as long as the property is owned (Aqarat).
- Permanent residence Processing time: A committee at the Ministry of Interior reviews applications and recommends decisions to the Minister of Interior.
Online travel permits
- e-Visa Validity: Single entry; the permit can be used once and is non-transferable.