UAE Residents Can Now Get GCC Long-Term Visas: What You Need to Know

Residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) now have the opportunity to obtain long-term residency permits across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), following the UAE’s lead with its renowned Golden Visa program.

UAE Leads the Way with Golden Visa
Launched to attract investors, entrepreneurs, professionals, and exceptional talent, the UAE Golden Visa offers 5- or 10-year residency, renewable without requiring a local sponsor. Visa holders can live, work, and invest freely while also bringing their families.

Eligibility includes buying property worth AED 2 million or more, investing AED 2 million in public funds, holding business capital, or meeting professional criteria such as earning AED 30,000 per month with a university degree. Visa holders enjoy full business ownership and mobility across the UAE—a level of stability rarely available to expatriates in the past.

Saudi Arabia Introduces Premium Residency
Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency (Iqama) offers a similar long-term option. Applicants can choose a renewable annual permit costing SAR 100,000 (~$26,600) or a permanent residency with a one-time fee of SAR 800,000 (~$213,400).

Investors can qualify by purchasing property worth SAR 4 million (~$1.07 million) or committing SAR 7 million (~$1.87 million) to create at least 10 jobs. Special provisions exist for talented professionals, executives, and researchers. Holders can live, work, and own property without a sponsor—a significant change in a country historically tied to the Kafala system.

Qatar Focuses on Property Investment
Qatar’s Residence by Investment program prioritizes real estate. Temporary residency is granted for investments of $200,000, while $1 million can qualify applicants for permanent residency, subject to quotas. Applicants must be over 21, maintain a clean record, and pass a health check. Residency permits allow work, property ownership, and family sponsorship, with processing times of four to six weeks.

Bahrain Offers 10-Year Residency
Bahrain’s Golden Residency Visa provides 10 years of residency, renewable indefinitely, for property owners, high-income professionals, retirees, and recognized talents. Key requirements include owning property worth BHD 200,000 (~$530,000), earning BHD 2,000 per month after five years of residence, or demonstrating a monthly retirement income of BHD 4,000 (~$10,600).

Oman Revamps Investor Residency
Under Vision 2040, Oman revamped its Investor Residency Program to attract foreign capital. Tier One offers a 10-year visa for investments of OMR 500,000 (~$1.3 million), while Tier Two grants a 5-year residency for OMR 250,000 (~$650,000). Retirees with a fixed monthly income of OMR 4,000 can also apply. The program extends rights to spouses, children, and parents, including property ownership outside tourism zones, domestic worker employment, and fast-track airport access.

A Shift Toward Long-Term Residency
These programs mark a significant policy shift in the GCC, which historically relied on short-term expatriate labor. Golden and premium visas now offer long-term residents stability, investment opportunities, and the ability to build a lasting life in the region.

According to Brandeis University research, such schemes help governments diversify revenue, attract global talent, and create investment hubs. For UAE residents, these new options provide opportunities for property investments in Doha, business ventures in Riyadh, or retirement plans in Muscat, reshaping the definition of calling the Gulf home.