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The Complete Guide to Investor Residency in the Gulf Countries (GCC) · IMI Podcasts

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: The Gulf Cooperation Council, also known as GCC countries, are not only financial powerhouses, but are also becoming prime destinations for wealthy foreigners and skilled professionals.
• 0:12
  SPEAKER_00: Due to its tax-friendly policies, competitive business environment, low levels of corruption, and high levels of safety and security, the US$2.3 trillion GDP region is becoming a magnet for foreign businesses and wealthy individuals.
• 0:30
  SPEAKER_00: Before 2019, residency in GCC countries was strictly based on employment and or sponsorship.
• 0:37
  SPEAKER_00: The UAE's introduction of the Golden Visa in 2019 was a turning point, introducing a path to long-term residency for wealthy individuals and skilled professionals, prompting similar moves across the region.
• 0:51
  SPEAKER_00: While residency options have since expanded, in some cases, including permanent residence, citizenship remains largely unattainable except in rare cases.
• 1:02
  SPEAKER_00: Here are the five established investor residency programs in the GCC.
• 1:07
  SPEAKER_00: 1.
• 1:08
  SPEAKER_00: United Arab Emirates, the Golden Visa Program.
• 1:11
  SPEAKER_00: In 2019, the UAE introduced its Golden Visa program to grant long-term residency to investors, entrepreneurs, and specialized talents.
• 1:22
  SPEAKER_00: The government designed the program to help the country remain competitive in an increasingly globalized world.
• 1:28
  SPEAKER_00: Depending on the qualification type, the visa remains valid for five or ten years and is renewable.
• 1:34
  SPEAKER_00: However, the UAE does not provide a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship, granting them only by a royal order.
• 1:43
  SPEAKER_00: Its investment routes are invest 2 million durum in real estate or investment funds.
• 1:53
  SPEAKER_00: Entrepreneurs must own an economic project worth$500,000 durings, or$136,000, supported by an accredited UAE incubator.
• 2:04
  SPEAKER_00: Non-investment routes are specialized talents.
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_00: The program welcomes individuals excelling in medicine, science, arts, commerce, sports, and other fields.
• 2:15
  SPEAKER_00: Abu Dhabi Golden Key.
• 2:18
  SPEAKER_00: This initiative offers golden visas to super yacht owners, minimum of 40 meters in length, and executives in the yacht industry.
• 2:27
  SPEAKER_00: Dubai Creators HQ.
• 2:30
  SPEAKER_00: This program targets digital influencers, podcasters, and visual artists, backed by a US$40.8 million Content Creators Support Fund.
• 2:40
  SPEAKER_00: Benefits are, investors and talents do not need to meet physical presence requirements.
• 2:46
  SPEAKER_00: The program includes immediate family members in the residency.
• 2:50
  SPEAKER_00: Residents enjoy full access to the UAE's tax-free business environment.
• 2:55
  SPEAKER_00: Golden visa holders gain free movement across GCC countries.
• 2:59
  SPEAKER_00: Application processing time is typically one month or less.
• 3:04
  SPEAKER_00: Next, Saudi Arabia, Premium Residency Investor Visa, or the Saudi Green Card.
• 3:11
  SPEAKER_00: In 2024, Saudi Arabia officially launched its Premium Residency Investor Visa, often called the Saudi Green Card, as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 initiative that aims to wean the country's economy off its chronic oil dependence.
• 3:28
  SPEAKER_00: The program aims to attract foreign investment and talent by offering permanent residency immediately upon approval, a first for the country.
• 3:38
  SPEAKER_00: Real estate investment.
• 3:40
  SPEAKER_00: You need to purchase property worth 4 million Saudi real or$1.1 million.
• 3:47
  SPEAKER_00: Government-accredited appraisers must assess the property and confirm full payment.
• 3:52
  SPEAKER_00: And business investment requires to invest$7 million Saudi real or$1.9 million in economic activities within two years of obtaining residency and employ at least 10 Saudi nationals in the business.
• 4:09
  SPEAKER_00: Investors receive permanent residency immediately after approval.
• 4:13
  SPEAKER_00: Residents can live, work, and own property or businesses.
• 4:17
  SPEAKER_00: The program extends residency to immediate family members.
• 4:21
  SPEAKER_00: Lastly, application processing time is at least one month.
• 4:26
  SPEAKER_00: Third, Qatar Residence Visa for Real Estate Owners.
• 4:30
  SPEAKER_00: Qatar introduced its residence visa for real estate owners program in 2021, enabling foreign investors to obtain long-term residency through property investments.
• 4:41
  SPEAKER_00: For larger property purchases, the program also offers permanent residency with greater benefits.
• 4:48
  SPEAKER_00: Investment requirements are invest 730,000 Qatari Rial to obtain renewable residency without sponsorship.
• 5:00
  SPEAKER_00: Invest 3,650,000 Qatari Rial to qualify for permanent residency, including a permanent residency card.
• 5:12
  SPEAKER_00: Its benefits are: permanent residents gain access to public health care and education.
• 5:18
  SPEAKER_00: The program eliminates the need for sponsorship, or kafala.
• 5:22
  SPEAKER_00: Applicants must meet a physical presence requirement of 90 days per year.
• 5:27
  SPEAKER_00: Citizenship becomes possible after 25 years, though the process requires meeting strict criteria and approvals and eventually falls to the discretion of the government.
• 5:38
  SPEAKER_00: Application processing time ranges between 2 to 6 weeks.
• 5:42
  SPEAKER_00: Qatar also has a five-year residency program for entrepreneurs who invest an equivalent of$70,000 to launch startups there.
• 5:52
  SPEAKER_00: Next, Oman, Investor Residency Program.
• 5:57
  SPEAKER_00: Oman launched its investor residency program in 2021 to attract capital and reduce dependence on oil and gas.
• 6:05
  SPEAKER_00: The program offers five and 10-year residency permits depending on the investment category.
• 6:10
  SPEAKER_00: The investment options are Tier 1, KITH 10-year residency.
• 6:16
  SPEAKER_00: It's requires to invest 500,000 Omani Real, or$1.3 million, in real estate, business ventures, or government bonds, and establish a company that employs at least 50 Omani nationals.
• 6:31
  SPEAKER_00: Second, Tier 2, with 5-year residency.
• 6:35
  SPEAKER_00: Invest 250,000 Omany Real in real estate or business ventures.
• 6:44
  SPEAKER_00: Retirees must prove a monthly income of 4,000 omni real or$10,400.
• 6:51
  SPEAKER_00: Its benefits is that main applicant can include direct family members in the application.
• 6:57
  SPEAKER_00: Residents enjoy low taxes, a mild climate, and high levels of safety.
• 7:03
  SPEAKER_00: Applicants must meet a physical presence requirement of 180 days per year.
• 7:09
  SPEAKER_00: Application processing time is around two months.
• 7:12
  SPEAKER_00: Lastly, Bahrain, Golden Residence Program.
• 7:16
  SPEAKER_00: In 2022, Bahrain introduced its Golden Residence Program to provide long-term residency options for foreign investors, retirees, and talented individuals.
• 7:27
  SPEAKER_00: The program offers multiple pathways based on property ownership, retirement, or employment history.
• 7:33
  SPEAKER_00: Qualifying routes are property ownership.
• 7:36
  SPEAKER_00: Purchase properties worth at least 200,000 Bahraini dinar or 530,000 US dollars.
• 7:44
  SPEAKER_00: Retirees, non-residents, should prove a monthly income of at least 4,000 Bahraini dinar or 10,600 US dollars.
• 7:54
  SPEAKER_00: Resident employees show a minimum five-year work history with an average monthly salary of 2,000 Bahraini dinar or$5,300.
• 8:06
  SPEAKER_00: Local retirees must demonstrate a 15-plus-year work history in Bahrain with a pension exceeding 2,000 Bahraini dinar or$5,300.
• 8:16
  SPEAKER_00: Talented individuals should receive a nomination from a government agency.
• 8:21
  SPEAKER_00: Benefits are the program includes immediate family members in the residency.
• 8:26
  SPEAKER_00: Residents face no physical presence requirements.
• 8:29
  SPEAKER_00: Bahrain provides long-term stability with renewable 10-year permits.
• 8:34
  SPEAKER_00: Investors gain access to Bahrain's free trade agreements and tax-friendly environment.
• 8:40
  SPEAKER_00: Application processing time is around three weeks.
• 8:43
  SPEAKER_00: The GCC's foray into the residency by investment scene has helped transform the region into one of the world's most critical and fastest-growing economic hubs.
• 8:54
  SPEAKER_00: Countries, especially the UAE, have continued developing their golden visas to include non-traditional qualification criteria, allowing them to target specific niches of high net worth individuals or talented professionals.
• 9:10
  SPEAKER_00: That innovation and quick implementation have helped the GCC programs carve out market shares and compete against established golden visas in Europe or elsewhere.
• 9:21
  SPEAKER_00: But they still lack when it comes to naturalization.
• 9:25
  SPEAKER_00: The vast majority of GCC countries do not offer a direct path to naturalization, and although Qatar does have a mechanism in place, it falls under government discretion, and that usually ends up in a roadblock for many of those who do apply.
• 9:41
  SPEAKER_00: The Gulf Cooperation Council represents one of the world's most integrated supranational settlement blocks, allowing citizens of each member state to reside and travel freely across borders without visas or permits.
• 9:54
  SPEAKER_00: This 58 million strong economic powerhouse offers substantial advantages to its citizens.
• 10:02
  SPEAKER_00: This episode first appeared as an article by Mustafa Daily on IMIDaily.com.
• 10:07
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