In this article
This guide compares the Gulf residence routes that are open today. Every value in the table is read from our programme records, so it changes when a record is updated.
How to read the table
The investment column shows the lowest published route in the programme's own currency, before government fees and transaction costs. The next column says whether that capital is an asset you keep, such as property, or a payment that does not come back. Residence obligations and family rules are quoted as the records state them; where a rule is not published, the cell says so rather than guessing.
The routes
Open Gulf routes, in the order of the title. Select a programme to see its full decision summary, family costs and process.
| Programme | Lowest published investment | Capital returned? | Who can be included | Residence obligation | Validity and renewal | Path to citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE Golden Visa | AED 2,000,000Qualifying property, 10-year visa | Capital you invest and hold, such as property, a business or securities, at investment risk and subject to the holding rules | Golden Residency holders can obtain residence permits for their spouse, their children regardless of age, and their parents (ICP). | Golden visa holders may stay outside the UAE for longer than the usual six-month limit without the visa lapsing. | Renewable. ICP and the Dubai Land Department both describe the property route (at least AED 2 million) as a 10-year residence. The UAE Government portal's summary table (updated 28 Jul 2026) still lists 5 years for real estate investments, so confirm the term at application. | Golden Visa is a residence status; it does not lead to citizenship. |
| Qatar Residency through Property Ownership | QAR 730,000Property (residence threshold, minimum) | Capital you invest and hold, such as property, a business or securities, at investment risk and subject to the holding rules | Information pending verification | At least 90 days a year in Qatar, continuously or in separate stays, for both property levels. | Information pending verification | Property residence gives no right to Qatari nationality; naturalisation is decided only under Qatar's Nationality Law. |
| Oman Golden Residency | OMR 200,000Property, company, bond, share or deposit investment (minimum) | Capital you invest and hold, such as property, a business or securities, at investment risk and subject to the holding rules | Spouse and children, with no age limit; up to three domestic workers. | Information pending verification | Valid for 10 years and renewable. | Residence does not give a right to Omani citizenship. |
| Saudi Arabia Premium Residency | SAR 4,000,000Real Estate Owner property (from) | Capital you invest and hold, such as property, a business or securities, at investment risk and subject to the holding rules | Spouse, children under 25 and parents; unmarried daughters over 25 and children with special needs may also qualify. | No minimum stay is stated for the fee-based products. | Limited Duration renews annually; Unlimited Duration has no expiry; the property route lasts while the property is owned. | Premium Residency is a residence status and does not lead to citizenship. |
| Bahrain Golden Residency | BHD 130,000Qualifying property (from) | Capital you invest and hold, such as property, a business or securities, at investment risk and subject to the holding rules | Spouse, children and parents can be sponsored on the holder's Golden Residency; age limits are not stated. | No minimum stay is stated on the official service pages. | Ten-year residence, renewable. | Golden Residency does not lead to citizenship. |
Residence is not citizenship
None of these routes grants nationality. Citizenship in the Gulf follows each country's ordinary naturalisation rules, which are restrictive and separate from investor residence. A route that requires a yearly stay, as Qatar's does, also needs to fit how much time the family will actually spend in the country.
Before you decide
Use the Family Investment Calculator for your family's known costs, and the Program Finder to see how each route fits your answers. A consultation can then confirm the points the records leave open.
Programmes in this article
General information only — not legal, tax or financial advice.
