Qatar has announced a major initiative to grant property deeds and residency visas within days for foreign investors purchasing real estate worth at least $200,000. The move aims to attract international capital and intensify competition for investment within the Gulf’s booming property sector.
Doha Initiative Aims to Attract Global Investors
In a significant move to bolster its real estate market, Qatar will soon allow property buyers to secure both a title deed and residency by investing a minimum of $200,000 (approximately QR730,000). The initiative, unveiled by Eng. Khalid bin Ahmed Al Obaidli, Chairman of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), will be formally launched at the upcoming Third Real Estate Forum.
The streamlined process is a collaboration between Qatar’s Ministries of Interior, Justice, and Labour, alongside the Investment Promotion Agency. According to Al Obaidli, the new system reflects “a unified government approach” to provide a seamless and transparent experience for investors.
“All concerned entities are working together as one team to make property ownership in Qatar easier and more efficient,” he stated, confirming that all projects licensed by the authority in 2025 are ready for the new system.
Two Tiers of Residency Offered
Under the new framework, investors have two main options:
- Real Estate Residency: Awarded for property purchases valued at $200,000 or more.
- Permanent Residency: Available for buyers investing $1 million (QAR3.65 million) or more, which includes benefits such as access to healthcare, education, and other investment privileges.
The programme is open to non-Qataris for various property types, including shops, offices, and residential units. A one-stop digital platform will manage all ownership and residency procedures, simplifying the entire process.
A Competitive Regional Market
This initiative comes as Qatar’s property sector experiences robust growth, recording QR8.9 billion in transactions in the second quarter of 2025—a 29.8% year-on-year increase. The surge was primarily driven by a 114% rise in residential deals.
The move places Qatar in direct competition with other regional hubs like Dubai, which has long attracted foreign investors through its own property-linked visa programs. The entire region is seeing unprecedented growth, as the UAE real estate market also hit historic highs recently. As Dubai property market prices continue to climb, Qatar’s accessible investment threshold and promise of rapid processing could appeal to a new wave of international buyers.
RERA officials highlighted that Qatar already ranks first globally in the ease of real estate registration, with documents issued in less than 24 hours and a minimal registration fee of 0.01% of construction costs.
