3 days ago
Qatar’s new 10-year residency programme arrives at a time when GCC has already seen several options for long-term, sponsor-free visas. For UAE residents, the most immediate comparison is with the UAE Golden Visa, which remains the region’s most comprehensive long-term residency framework. Qatar vs UAE Golden Visa Qatar’s programme currently targets only entrepreneurs endorsed by local incubators and senior executives employed in regulated or strategic sectors. Salary thresholds are high, and employer eligibility is tightly defined. The UAE Golden Visa, by contrast, operates across multiple tracks. Skilled professionals generally qualify with a minimum monthly salary of Dh30,000 ($8,100), significantly lower than Qatar’s executive thresholds. Entrepreneurs may qualify if they own a business valued at Dh500,000, subject to auditor verification and incubator endorsement. Property investors typically need Dh2 million in real estate to secure a 10-year visa. Property-linked residency Property-linked residency highlights another contrast. Qatar offers residency starting at $200,000 in designated freehold zones, while the UAE’s 10-year Golden Visa requires a much higher entry point. Qatar also offers a direct path to permanent residency at the $1 million investment level, including access to public healthcare and education. The UAE’s Golden Visa remains renewable and does not grant permanent residency status. […]
4 days ago
Qatar is preparing to roll out a 10-year residency programme targeted at entrepreneurs and senior executives, marking a significant shift in how the country approaches long-term expatriate residence. The announcement was made at Web Summit Qatar 2026. Who can apply The programme is limited to two categories: entrepreneurs and senior executives. It is not open to general professionals, freelancers, or retirees. Entrepreneurs must be building high-impact or innovation-driven businesses aligned with Qatar’s private-sector priorities. To qualify, applicants must obtain an official endorsement from a recognised Qatari business incubator, such as Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP). Applicants must also demonstrate financial stability. This includes a bank statement showing a minimum balance of QAR 36,500 ($10,000) maintained over the previous three months. The requirement is designed to confirm basic financial capacity rather than replace investment thresholds. The executive track applies to high-level leadership roles, including chairman, CEO, CFO, COO, CTO, and executive directors. Applicants must have at least five years of experience in senior executive management, either within or outside Qatar. A valid local employment contract is mandatory. Eligible employers are restricted to: Salary thresholds are among the highest in the region. Minimum monthly income must be QAR 50,000 ($13,700) for chairman […]
1 week ago
The Saudi security forces continue its participation in the joint tactical exercise “Arabian Gulf Security 4” in Qatar alongside Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) security agencies. The exercise features complex field drills and simulated scenarios designed to enhance crisis response capabilities and streamline regional coordination. Demonstrating high field readiness, the Saudi units have showcased efficiency in executing tactical maneuvers, supported by advanced technology and specialized personnel. These exercises are central to the GCC’s strategic goal of building a unified security system, fostering integration among member states to ensure long-term regional stability and safety. The General Directorate of Narcotics Control is participating in the Ministry of Interior’s pavilion at the accompanying exhibition of the joint tactical exercise of the GCC security agencies. Qatar is hosting the exhibition, titled Arabian Gulf Security 4, from January 30 to February 4. Through its participation, the directorate showcases its efforts to combat drug smuggling and trafficking, and highlights major domestic and international seizures and its contributions to boosting community resilience against drugs. The Ministry of Interior’s pavilion highlights the Kingdom’s efforts to combat drug smuggling at the local, regional, and international levels, and the employment of artificial intelligence technologies to enhance security and safety, and crowd […]
1 week ago
The Kingdom of Bahrain national handball team won the 22nd Asian Handball Championship 2026 in the State of Kuwait, which also qualifies them for the 2027 World Cup in the Federal Republic of Germany. The team secured the title with a 29–26 win over Qatar. Bahrain led 14–11 at half-time, and the second half ended level at 24–24, forcing extra time. This win is a major milestone for Bahraini handball, after the team reached the final five times before (2010, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2022) but always finished second. The victory reflects years of steady progress and hard work. The team also advanced its global standing by qualifying for the World Cup for the eighth consecutive time, showing consistent performance and underscoring that the Asian title was the result of long-term planning, ongoing support and strong ambition.
2 weeks ago
Airlines including Emirates and Qatar Airways have cancelled flights to the US amid devastating winter storms causing travel chaos across North America. Eighteen US states have declared a state of emergency as a powerful winter storm sweeps across the country, forcing the cancellation of thousands of flights. The states that have declared emergencies include Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, in addition to the capital, Washington. Emirates cancels Dubai – US flights In response to the anticipated severe impact of Storm Fern across parts of the US, the following Emirates flights have been cancelled: The airline said, customers connecting through Dubai on the above cancelled flights will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin. Major impact of US storms The storm is affecting more than 180m people from New Mexico to Maine, with forecasts warning of heavy snowfall of up to 12 inches in the Ohio Valley and along the East Coast, as well as widespread ice threatening roads and power supplies. More than 2,300 flights were cancelled today, Saturday, with thousands more expected to be cancelled tomorrow, particularly at […]
2 weeks ago
The total population of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC ) countries is projected to reach approximately 83.6m by 2050, according to population projections from the United Nations. Population growth across the GCC is expected to continue over the next quarter-century, with the region facing a simultaneous expansion in overall population and a sharp rise in the number of older residents. According to a new report issued by the Gulf Statistical Centre, the number of older persons in region will more than double over the same period, exceeding 5.5m by 2050. This demographic shift highlights the growing importance of long-term policy planning in areas including urban development, healthcare systems, labour markets, and social protection frameworks to support sustainable development across the region. According to the report, the total population of GCC countries reached around 61.5m by the end of 2024. This represents an increase of 8.5m compared to 2019, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8 per cent — nearly three times the global average. The findings underline the pace at which demographic dynamics are evolving across the Gulf Cooperation Council states. Rapid GCC population growth In terms of age structure, the working-age population group, defined as those aged 15 to […]
2 weeks ago
Bahrain Police forces have arrived in Qatar to take part in the joint security field exercise “Arabian Gulf Security 4”, involving security agencies from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The exercise will be held from January 25 to February 4, 2026, as part of the Ministry of Interior’s efforts to support the Gulf security system and strengthen cooperation and coordination among GCC security agencies. The exercise aims to help achieve shared security goals and ensure the safety and stability of Gulf societies. Bahrain’s participation comes in line with directives from GCC interior ministers to enhance security readiness, exchange expertise, and unify methods for dealing with various security challenges and scenarios. “Arabian Gulf Security 4” focuses on improving joint coordination, developing field capabilities, and raising the level of emergency response, contributing to the security and stability of GCC member states. It is worth noting that the Kingdom of Bahrain hosted the first edition of the joint security exercise “Arabian Gulf Security” in October 2016, reflecting its leading role in supporting joint Gulf security cooperation and strengthening integration among GCC security agencies.
3 weeks ago
Winter in the GCC feels a lot colder than summer, but there have been times when the temperatures have really dipped, with record low temperatures set. Sometimes, there has even been snow in the desert, including in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Some of the lowest temperatures in the Gulf have dropped to below 0°C, making snowfall possible. Lowest temperatures in the GCC January 16, 2008: -10°C, Hail, Saudi Arabia February 3, 2017: -5.7°C, Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE December 16, 2024: -3°C, Salmi, Kuwait January 26, 2023: -0.9°C, Jabal Shams, Oman February 5, 2017: 1.5°C, Abu Samra, Qatar January 20, 1964: 2.7°C, Durrat Al Bahrain, Bahrain Historic low temperatures in the region have been set as far back as 1964. And new record lows have been set as recently as 2023 and 2024. If you’re planning on travelling around the Gulf in the winter, you might want to pack a jacket, boots, and a scarf, especially if you’re travelling to northern regions. UAE winter temperatures The UAE is currently in Al Shabt, which is the coldest time of the year. Al Shabt runs from January 15 to February 10. On January 22, Jebel Jais recorded a frigid temperature that […]
3 weeks ago
The forthcoming Unified GCC Tourist Visa represents one of the most concrete steps yet toward functional regional integration in the Gulf. While often compared to Europe’s Schengen system, the initiative is best understood as a targeted response to a long-standing structural problem: bureaucratic fragmentation that discourages multi-country travel in a region that increasingly markets itself as interconnected. Under the new framework, visitors would apply once through a unified digital platform and gain access to all six GCC states, namely the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait, on a single short-stay visa. Current planning points to a 30-day validity period, with a projected fee in the range of $90–130. The intent is to facilitate multi-destination itineraries that have so far been constrained by separate national visa regimes. This shift aligns directly with the region’s economic diversification strategies, where tourism has emerged as a critical non-oil growth sector. By lowering administrative barriers, the GCC is effectively repositioning itself as a single interlinked tourism space, rather than six adjacent but disconnected markets. Why the launch has taken time The repeated postponements of the unified visa’s rollout reflect not a lack of political commitment, but the complexity of aligning security […]
4 weeks ago
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has announced the establishment of a Unified GCC Civil Aviation Authority, marking a major step toward closer cooperation in the region’s aviation sector. The new authority aims to harmonise aviation laws, safety standards, and operational procedures across the six GCC member states: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. The move is expected to improve safety, efficiency, and connectivity across the region’s air transport network. Under the unified system, pilot licences issued in one GCC country would be recognised across the region, while maintenance and safety standards would follow a single framework. This approach is designed to reduce duplication, cut costs for airlines, and simplify regulatory processes. According to aviation industry leaders, regulatory harmonisation will benefit everyone involved. Passengers can expect smoother journeys, airlines will face fewer administrative burdens, and governments will gain stronger oversight aligned with global best practices. An early example of this cooperation is the “One Stop Travel” programme, launched in December 2025. The initiative allows passengers to complete immigration and security checks at their departure airport only, beginning with flights between the UAE and Bahrain. Looking ahead, officials say the success of the Unified GCC Civil Aviation Authority will […]
9 hours ago
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