Qatar is launching a new residency-by-investment scheme that
allows property buyers investing a minimum of $200,000 to receive both a title
deed and residency visa within days. The programme offers two investment tiers,
with permanent residency granted for investments of $1 million or more,
facilitating fast-track property ownership and residency in Qatar.
Qatar’s New Residency-by-Investment Scheme Announced
As reported by the Times of India journalist, Qatar has introduced an innovative residency-by-investment programme aimed at simplifying and accelerating property ownership for foreign investors. His Excellency Eng. Khalid bin Ahmed Al Obaidli, Chairman of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), confirmed the details in an interview with the Arabic daily Al-Sharq, later shared via Zawya. Eng. Al Obaidli stated,
“All concerned entities are working together as one team to make property ownership in Qatar easier and more efficient”.
The announcement was made ahead of the Third Real Estate
Forum, where the initiative will be officially launched. The scheme is a
collaborative effort involving the Ministries of Interior, Justice, and Labour,
alongside the Investment Promotion Agency, highlighting a unified government
approach to investor facilitation.
Investment Tiers and Residency Benefits
The programme classifies property investment into two main
tiers, each linked to specific residency privileges:
- First
Class Investment:
Requires a minimum property investment of QAR 3,650,000 (approximately $1 million). This tier grants the investor permanent residency status, including comprehensive benefits such as access to healthcare, education, and further investment opportunities.
(As detailed by the Times of India and corroborated by Savory & Partners newsroom). - Second
Class Investment:
Involves a minimum property purchase of QAR 730,000 (approximately $200,000). This tier grants a residency visa linked to property ownership, which is renewable and provides rights of ownership and usage across various property types including shops, offices in commercial complexes, and residential units across Qatar.
Investors in both tiers benefit from the ability to complete
all related processes through a singular, digital one-stop platform. This
platform integrates documentation, verification, and approval protocols,
thereby enabling quick issuance of title deeds and residency permits within
days.
Streamlined Ownership and Realty Sector Growth
RERA emphasizes that all projects licensed for 2025 are free
from complications, assuring buyers of smooth property transactions and
documentation issuance. Furthermore, Qatar ranks first globally for ease of
real estate registration, with ownership documents and architectural plans
issued within 24 hours. Registration fees are the lowest in the region,
calculated at just 0.01% of construction costs, and the government operates a
fully electronic building permit system, expediting approvals and licenses.
Regarding real estate market performance, the second quarter
of 2025 saw transactions totalling QAR 8.9 billion, marking a 29.8% increase
year-on-year. Residential property sales surged by 114% compared to the
previous year, reflecting strong market vitality and investor confidence.
Eligibility, Property Types, and Regulatory Framework
The scheme allows both Qatari nationals and foreigners to
invest in various types of properties, including shops, offices in malls and
commercial complexes, as well as residential units across all regions of the
country. This broad coverage provides diverse investment opportunities tailored
to different investor profiles.
According to the Economic Times report quoting Gulf News
references, Eng. Khalid bin Ahmed Al Obaidli stressed “a unified government
approach” to ease property ownership processes. This integrated approach aims
to benefit investors through regulatory support, reducing bureaucratic hurdles,
and offering a robust investor-friendly environment.
The Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), established by
Amiri Decision No. (28) of 2023 issued by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim
bin Hamad Al Thani, oversees licensing, property registration, and investor
services, reinforcing Qatar’s commitment to modernise its real estate sector
and attract foreign capital.
Residency Rights and Additional Benefits
For the second-tier investors purchasing properties worth
$200,000 or more but less than $1 million, residency visas are renewable and
tied specifically to property ownership. The residency grant covers the
investor, with possibilities for family inclusion under certain regulatory
conditions.
Permanent residency holders under the first-class tier gain
benefits extending beyond residency rights, including access to public
healthcare systems, education, and opportunities to expand business and
investment activities within Qatar.
Global Context and Appeal to Investors
Qatar’s residency-by-investment scheme represents a
strategic move to attract international real estate investors, bolstering
foreign direct investment inflows and driving economic diversification. Given
the country's tax-free environment, strategic location, and expanding
infrastructure, this initiative is poised to enhance Qatar's global appeal as
an investment destination.
Savory & Partners Newsroom notes that the streamlined
one-stop platform is part of wider efforts to ease business and property
ownership processes for foreigners, reinforcing Qatar’s ranking as a leading
country for real estate registration efficiency globally.
With the introduction of the residency-by-investment scheme requiring a minimum investment of $200,000, which grants quick title deeds and residency visas, Qatar is setting a benchmark for investor-friendly real estate policies in the Gulf region. The availability of permanent residency for investments above $1 million further enhances the program’s attractiveness. Backed by strong government coordination and regulatory support, this initiative is expected to stimulate continued growth in Qatar's real estate sector and expand its footprint in international real estate investment markets with efficient, reliable, and transparent services.