QatarResidence
Qatar golden visa through property ownership
Residence permit for real estate owners (Cabinet Decision No. 28 of 2020): QAR 730,000 and QAR 3,650,000 tiers
In short
Foreigners who buy property in the areas open to non-Qatari ownership can obtain a residence permit linked to the property. From QAR 730,000 the owner receives a residence permit without a sponsor; from QAR 3,650,000 (about USD 1 million) the permit carries privileges similar to permanent residency, including public health care and education. Both tiers require at least 90 days a year in Qatar, and the licence is issued for five renewable years.
Apply on Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Aqarat) checked 23 October 2026
Key facts
- Validity
- Five years, renewable, as long as the property is owned (Aqarat).
- Funds required
- QAR 730,000Minimum property value for a residence permit without a sponsor; QAR 3,650,000 for the tier with permanent-residency-type benefits.
- Work
- The permit is a residence permit; the top tier adds investment rights in certain commercial activities. Employment still needs a work arrangement.
- Family
- The Ministry of Justice states that owners are granted residency for themselves and their family for as long as they own the property.
- Path to permanent residence
- The QAR 3,650,000 tier grants benefits similar to the permanent residency card but is not itself a permanent residency card.
- Where to apply
- After registering the purchase in Qatar, through the one-stop window for non-Qatari owners.
Two value tiers
Cabinet Decision No. 28 of 2020 sets the areas, conditions and benefits of non-Qatari ownership and use of real estate. The Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Aqarat) describes two categories. Category one covers property worth QAR 3,650,000 or more and gives a real estate residence permit with privileges similar to permanent residency: health care, education and investment rights. Category two covers property worth QAR 730,000 or more and gives a residence permit without a sponsor.
Non-Qataris may buy freehold in the designated areas and, elsewhere, separate units in residential complexes and offices or shops in commercial complexes and malls. There is no fixed limit on the number of units in freehold areas.
Thresholds in other currencies
Aqarat gives the equivalents as about USD 200,000 for the QAR 730,000 tier and about USD 1,000,000 for the QAR 3,650,000 tier. The property value is assessed in Qatari riyals.
Where transactions are handled
Aqarat states that a one-stop window handles the procedures and the associated privileges. The Ministry of Justice's Real Estate Registration Department processes transactions for non-Qatari owners at its offices in the Al Mahara building on the Pearl and the Qatari Diar building in Lusail.
- Choose a property in an area open to non-Qatari ownership and check its value against the tier you want.
- Complete the purchase and register it with the Ministry of Justice Real Estate Registration Department.
- Apply for the owner residence through the one-stop window for non-Qatari owners.
- Complete the medical test and fingerprints and receive your Qatar ID.
- Add family members on the basis of your owner residence.
- Spend at least 90 days a year in Qatar and renew the five-year licence before it expires.
The 90-day rule
Both the Ministry of Justice and Aqarat require the owner to spend at least 90 days a year in Qatar, continuously or in several stays, to keep the residence benefits.
Family and inheritance
Residency is granted to the owner and family for the duration of ownership. Non-Qataris can inherit property in the designated foreign-ownership areas; elsewhere heirs must transfer it to a Qatari within two years unless the specific exceptions apply. Usufruct rights run for 99 years, renewable, and pass to heirs.
Documents
Required documents
Identity
- Valid passport
Money
- Registered title deed for property worth at least QAR 730,000 (or QAR 3,650,000 for category one)
- Valuation or purchase documents showing the property value
Family
- Marriage and birth certificates for family members, attested
Other
- Medical examination and fingerprints in Qatar
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum property value for residency in Qatar?
QAR 730,000 for a residence permit without a sponsor; QAR 3,650,000 for the tier with permanent-residency-type benefits.
How long is the residence permit valid?
Aqarat states a licence of five years, renewable.
Do I have to live in Qatar?
You must spend at least 90 days a year in Qatar, continuously or intermittently.
Is the QAR 3,650,000 tier the same as permanent residency?
No. It gives benefits similar to the permanent residency card, such as public health care and education, but permanent residency itself is a separate card under Law No. 10 of 2018.
Can my spouse and children live with me?
Yes. The Ministry of Justice says residency is granted to the owner and family while the property is owned.
Official sources
- Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Aqarat) – FAQs on non-Qatari ownership and residency
- Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Aqarat) – Own real estate in Qatar
- Ministry of Justice Qatar – FAQ on non-Qatari real estate ownership
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.
Business and self-employment
- Entrepreneur and start-up visa Validity: Long-term residency with a renewal option; no fixed term is published.
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
- 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.