Moving to Qatar
8 ways to move to Qatar in our guide: 3 investor routes, 1 business / startup route, 1 work visa, 1 student visa, 2 spouse visas.
No digital nomad visa. Smallest investment: Property residence · QAR 730k, QAR 730k+ ≈ $201k. Tax for newcomers: Qatar: source-based income tax, 10% tax. Checked against official sources on .
The country runs a source-based tax system, so the rules focus on income generated inside Qatar rather than worldwide income. Visas and tax are separate here: a residence permit does not by itself change how your income is taxed.
Investing · 3
Investor residence
First stay: 5 yrs
Property residence
Investment needed: from QAR 730k ≈ $201k
Business / Startup · 1
Not yet in force
10-year residency (founders)
Details
Ten-year residency for entrepreneurs, founders and senior executives
- The programme is for entrepreneurs, founders and senior executives
Ten-year residency programme announced by the Prime Minister on 1 February 2026 for entrepreneurs, founders and senior executives. 1
Requirements
- The programme is for entrepreneurs, founders and senior executives. 1
Stay
- Ten-year residency.
- Visa validity: 120 months. Validity is the window to use the visa, not the length you may stay.
Fine print
This is an announcement only. The Government Communications Office report of 1 February 2026 says who the programme is for and that it runs for ten years. It gives no conditions, fees, start date or way to apply.
Checked against official sources on Change log
Work · 1
Student · 1
Spouse visas · 2
For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident.
Free movement and visa-free stays · 1
GCC citizens · Lets you live here
Open to 5 passports: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates.
Tax
Qatar taxes income derived from sources in the State, and the Income Tax Law excludes salaries, wages and allowances from the charge. Income of a resident from abroad is outside the charge unless it falls within the named exceptions, such as bank interest and returns realised abroad that derive from the taxpayer's Qatari activity, or commissions earned abroad from Qatari activities. Tax is imposed on Qatar-source income irrespective of residence, so the visa route and the tax position are separate matters.
Standard rules
Income Tax Law No. 24 of 2018: 10% on Qatar-source net income
10% tax
Details
- On: Net income generated in Qatar
- Who: Income Tax Law No. 24 of 2018 applies to income generated in Qatar
The General Tax Authority lists income tax of 10% on net income generated in Qatar, 5% withholding on payments to non-residents for services or rights, and 10% on the sale of real estate or securities within Qatar.
Taxed on
Net income generated in Qatar; non-resident service and royalty payments (5%); real estate and securities disposals (10%).
Who it applies to
- Income Tax Law No. 24 of 2018 applies to income generated in Qatar; the oil and petrochemicals sector pays 35%.
- Taxpayers register on the Dhareeba tax portal and file within 4 months after the fiscal year end.
Exclusions
- A Qatari partner share in a joint company is fully exempt; a foreign partner pays 10% on its share of net profit.
- Free zones offer a 20-year corporate tax exemption and no personal income tax.
- Strategic and project-based exemptions of 5 to 10 years can apply by project type and location.
Tax residence
Tax is charged on Qatar-source income; the individual residence tests are in Income Tax Law No. 24 of 2018.
Visas
Residence permits, including real-estate residence, do not themselves set tax status.
Other taxes
Qatar has not applied value added tax; excise tax of 100% applies to tobacco and energy drinks and 50% to soft drinks.
Checked against official sources on Change log
Standard rules
Qatar: source-based income tax; salaries and wages outside the tax
10% tax
Details
- Who: Applies to taxpayers with taxable income from Qatari sources
Qatar taxes income derived from sources in the State at 10% of taxable income; salaries, wages and allowances are outside the Income Tax Law, and bank interest of natural persons who carry on no taxable activity is exempt.
Taxed on
Annual taxable income arising from sources in Qatar: activity carried out in Qatar, contracts performed wholly or partly there, Qatari real estate, shares of Qatari companies (Art. 2-3). Since Law No. 11 of 2022 (Art. 2 Bis) the base also includes income of a Qatari project (a project managed by a Qatari resident) from foreign real estate, distributed profits, interest, royalties and technical service fees paid from abroad.
Who it applies to
- Applies to taxpayers with taxable income from Qatari sources, including non-resident persons through withholding provisions.
Exclusions
- Salaries, wages, allowances and the like are outside the Law (Promulgating Law Art. 2(3)).
- Gross income of Qatari natural persons resident in the State is exempt (Art. 4).
- Interest and bank returns of natural persons who do not conduct a taxable activity in the State are exempt, resident or not (Art. 4).
- Ministries, government bodies, international organisations and charities are outside the Law.
Days in the country
- More than 183 days in the year · An individual is resident if a permanent home is available in Qatar, or he stayed in Qatar continuously or intermittently for more than 183 days in the year, or he holds Qatari nationality.
Tax residence
Tax is imposed on Qatar-source income. A resident individual is one with a permanent home available in the State, or with a stay of more than 183 days in the year, or with Qatari nationality (Art. 1 as amended by Law No. 11 of 2022).
Visas
A residence permit does not itself create tax liability; salary income is outside the Law.
Other taxes
Qatar has not applied value added tax, per the General Tax Authority guide.
Checked against official sources on Change log
Checked against official sources on Change log
Qatar in pictures
Path to permanent residence · 1
- PR after 20 years · Permanent residency card (Law No. 10 of 2018)
Arriving in Qatar: first steps
- Arrange health cover, since the higher-value route carries the healthcare privileges of a permanent-residency card holder.
- Secure a qualifying property in a designated area or a detached unit in a residential or commercial complex.
- Plan your stay so you meet the annual residence requirement for the route you use.
- If you buy vacant land, note that it must be built on within the stated period.
- Keep your Qatar-source income and any foreign-source income separate for tax purposes, as only Qatar-source income is in the charge unless an exception applies.
Questions people ask
How much do you need to invest for residency in Qatar?
Qatar has 3 investor routes. Investor residence gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. Property residence · QAR 3.65M asks for an investment of at least QAR 3,650,000 (≈ $1,000,000) and gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. Property residence · QAR 730k asks for an investment of at least QAR 730,000 (≈ $201,000) and gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed.
Can I move to Qatar by starting a business?
Qatar has 1 business or startup route. It is 10-year residency (founders).
What work visas does Qatar offer foreigners?
Qatar has 1 work visa. Work visa gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed.
How do I get a student visa for Qatar?
Qatar has 1 student visa. It is Student residence.
Can I join my spouse or partner in Qatar?
Yes. Qatar has 2 spouse visas. There is also PR via marriage and Spouse of a citizen.
Compare with
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
Ask the AI about Qatar AI
An AI assistant answers from the published records on this page and cites them. It can't assess your personal eligibility. Don't include personal details.
Sources (1)
Official sources
- Prime Minister inaugurates Web Summit Qatar 2026 · Government Communications Office, Qatar · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2026-02-01