Qatar Announces 10-Year Residency Programme for Entrepreneurs at the 2026 Web Summit

In a major announcement at Web Summit Qatar 2026, Qatar unveiled a new 10-year residency programme designed to attract entrepreneurs, investors and senior executives from around the world, reinforcing the country’s ambition to become a leading global hub for innovation and business.

The initiative was announced during the opening of the influential tech conference by H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. The long-term residency offer is aimed at providing stability and incentives for founders and business leaders to establish and grow their ventures in Qatar’s rapidly expanding economy.

Under the new programme, eligible entrepreneurs, investors and senior executives will be able to secure residency for up to 10 years — a move that breaks from traditional short-term work permits and provides a more predictable and sustained presence in the country. Qatar’s leadership highlighted the residency scheme as part of a broader strategy to foster long-term investment, attract international talent, and support the nation’s economic diversification goals.

The announcement follows similar long-term residency schemes recently launched by neighbouring Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which have also sought to lure global professionals and innovators with extended residency options.

The residency programme aligns with Qatar’s expanding support for the startup ecosystem. Officials at Web Summit outlined additional measures to bolster entrepreneurship, including streamlined procedures that allow company formation, banking set-up and residency processing to be completed within days for those registering during the event.

In his remarks, the Prime Minister stressed that these efforts reflect Qatar’s commitment to building a vibrant innovation ecosystem and encouraging global collaboration. He invited founders and investors to “put down roots and grow alongside a nation that invests in your future,” underscoring the long-term vision behind the initiative.

Now in its third year, Web Summit Qatar has emerged as a key international platform for technology, entrepreneurship and investment, drawing thousands of participants from more than 120 countries. The inclusion of the 10-year residency programme in its announcements highlights the event’s role not only as a forum for discussion but also as a launchpad for transformative economic policies.

As Qatar continues to elevate its profile on the global business stage, the new residency offering could reshape how innovators and executives choose where to locate and scale their ventures — with Doha swiftly becoming a compelling destination for those looking to build for the long term.