Middle East Competes for Wealthy Expats with Surge in Golden Visas

(Oman) Oman has entered the Middle East’s race for wealthy expatriates and top-tier professionals with the launch of a new 10-year golden residency on August 31, 2025, setting a minimum investment of 200,000 Omani rials (about $520,000) and offering automatic residency for first-degree family members, fast-track airport access, and the right to own property beyond tourism zones. The move places Oman squarely in a crowded field of Gulf states offering golden visas to high-net-worth individuals and skilled talent, as governments push to diversify their economies, reduce oil dependence, and position the region as a global magnet for investment and innovation.

The United Arab Emirates remains the standard-bearer, with Dubai’s record 158,000 golden visas in 2023 and an expected 9,800 millionaire arrivals in 2025. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and Egypt are all trimming thresholds or adding pathways to compete for capital, job creation, and sector expertise.

Why the Gulf is Competing for People, Not Just Money

Regional officials and private-sector advisers say today’s competition is about more than money. Governments still court investors who put funds into property, bonds, or companies, but the new focus is on people who can drive future industries: AI scientists, climate tech founders, healthcare specialists, and digital leaders.

• VisaVerge.com analysis shows the UAE has broadened its program to target these groups, giving authorities more latitude to nominate standout candidates in fields that boost the wider economy.
• Industry voices in Dubai describe a shift from purely transactional entry toward “value-driven” selection, where a candidate’s skills and track record matter as much as the size of their investment.

In practice, Gulf states are chasing not just wealth, but the builders and operators who can move key sectors forward.

Oman’s New Scheme and How It Fits Regional Goals

The new Omani scheme aligns with Oman Vision 2040’s push for private-sector growth. It invites investors to place funds in property, bonds, companies, or job-generating businesses and offers family and convenience features aimed at executives relocating with dependents.

Key benefits and signals:
– Family stability: Automatic residency for first-degree relatives.
– Property ownership: Rights extended beyond traditional tourism zones, encouraging long-term settlement.
– Convenience features: Fast-track airport access and other streamlined services that reduce daily friction.

This approach mirrors a wider Gulf trend: programs that reward continued economic ties and on-the-ground engagement rather than one-time transactions.

How Other Gulf Programs Compare (Summary)

• Saudi Arabia — Premium Residency
  • One-time payment ~ $213,000, or annual permits at $26,700.
  • Higher tiers for larger investments; offers flexible residence without a local sponsor.
• Qatar
  • Long-term residency for real estate investments starting at $200,000.
  • Permanent residency privileges at $1 million.
• Bahrain
  • 10-year golden residency for property buyers investing at least $530,000.
  • Opens doors to high-earning professionals and retirees.
• Jordan
  • Overhauled program in July 2025 with eight new pathways centered on job creation and economic impact, capped at 500 approvals per year.
• Egypt
  • Simplified access to citizenship in 2025 via a $250,000 contribution or $300,000 real estate purchase.
• UAE
  • Broad eligibility for investors, entrepreneurs, AI/science/medical talents, outstanding students, and high earners.
  • Typical investment route: at least AED 2 million (about $545,000) in real estate or funds.
  • Digital “One-Touch” system reduces paperwork, and the country combines tax incentives (zero personal income tax) with strong transport and social infrastructure.

Shared Features Across Programs

While costs and specifics differ, the region’s pitch now shares common threads:

• Family security: Most include first-degree family members.
• Property rights: Many allow property purchases, increasingly beyond tourist-only zones.
• Streamlined processing: Fast-track airport lanes, digital renewals, and fewer in-person steps.
• Sector focus: Preference for applicants who can impact AI, climate tech, digital industries, healthcare, and advanced science.
• Renewal terms: Vary by country — UAE (renewable 5- or 10-year), Oman (10 years), Saudi (annual or indefinite).

Policy Logic and National Plans

After years of oil price swings, Gulf economies want to build engines not dependent on crude. Golden residency frameworks are central because they bring both capital and skills, increasing the share of residents who view the region as a long-term base.

• Officials link the programs to national plans like Oman Vision 2040 and Saudi Vision 2030.
• Governments emphasize attracting founders, researchers, and senior managers who can train teams and anchor new industries.
• Analysts note the Middle East has become a global migration hub quickly, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi leading in volume and redesigning the model to emphasize real-world contributions over passive capital.

How Governments Are Targeting Priority Sectors

VisaVerge.com reports the UAE has intentionally widened the net for professionals in advanced fields, including climate-linked sectors that align with clean energy goals.

• Priority areas include: smart mobility, water technology, green building, AI-driven logistics.
• Several governments empower resident offices or sector ministries to nominate outstanding profiles, enabling a curated intake that balances immediate investment with durable economic impact.

The region is moving toward outcomes-focused programs—measuring payrolls, export revenue, and sector growth—rather than unchecked volume.

Practical Considerations for Applicants

Investors and professionals should weigh more than headline thresholds. Important elements include:

• Visa duration and renewal path
• Whether first-degree family members are included without extra hurdles
• Home ownership rules in desired neighborhoods
• Availability of sector networks (labs, hospitals, data centers)
• Costs of schooling, healthcare, and office space
• Exit terms for property, bonds, or funds and alignment with residency timelines

Examples of typical decision logic:
1. A hardware-focused AI founder may prioritize the UAE for lab space, import processes, and a large tech ecosystem.
2. A logistics company owner seeking a quieter hub might prefer Oman’s 10-year residency with job-creation focus.
3. A retiree with steady income could view Bahrain’s 10-year route as a lifestyle choice with regional healthcare and travel links.

Compliance, Documentation, and Screening

Programs are not without guardrails. Global regulators press for stronger anti-money-laundering systems, so:

• Applications with complex corporate structures or third-country holdings may face detailed reviews.
• Governments require clear source-of-funds documentation and beneficial ownership disclosure.
• Immigration infrastructure has moved toward online processing, background checks, and standardized documentation.

Industry advisers recommend early planning to collect:
– Financial statements and corporate records
– Proof of employment or qualifications
– Police clearances and consistent paperwork to avoid delays

Market Effects and Service Responses

• Dubai and Abu Dhabi property markets have shown links between golden visa thresholds and buyer activity.
• Oman’s decision to extend property rights beyond tourism zones could spur projects for long-term residents: neighborhoods, schools, parks.
• Banks, wealth managers, universities, and research centers are expanding regional services targeting inbound families and talent.

Each approval wave increases demand for classrooms, clinics, lab space, and co-working hubs—tightening the interplay between immigration policy and real-world services.

Renewal Differences to Note

• UAE: Renewable 5- or 10-year visas tied to continued eligibility; much of the process is online.
• Oman: 10-year golden residency geared to job-creating investments.
• Saudi Arabia: Annual and indefinite Premium Residency options.
• Qatar & Bahrain: Real estate and income criteria shape long-term pathways.

For families, stable renewal provisions can matter more than initial approval.

Key Questions for Side-by-Side Comparisons

Applicants should ask:
– What is the visa duration and renewal path?
– Are first-degree family members included automatically?
– Does the program permit home ownership where we want to live?
– How strong are the sector networks we need (labs, hospitals, data centers)?
– What are schooling, healthcare, and office space costs in the target city?
– Do investment exit terms match the residency timeline?

Policy Changes Overview (Concise)

• Oman: Golden Residency launched August 31, 2025 — 200,000 OMR (~$520,000) minimum; family benefits, airport processing, property beyond tourism zones.
• UAE: Leader in scale/scope; 158,000 golden visas in Dubai (2023); projected 9,800 millionaire inflow (2025); eligibility expanded to AI, climate tech, digital professionals.
• Saudi Arabia: Premium Residency — one-time ~ $213,000 or $26,700 annually, plus higher tiers.
• Qatar: $200,000 real estate for long-term residency; $1 million for permanent residency.
• Bahrain: 10-year residency for property buyers at $530,000; routes for high earners and retirees.
• Jordan: July 2025 revamp — 8 job-creation pathways; 500 approvals/year.
• Egypt: 2025 simplification — citizenship via $250,000 contribution or $300,000 real estate purchase.

These moves reflect a shared aim: attract people who bring both capital and skills, aligned with national visions and global migration shifts. VisaVerge.com notes the region positions itself as an alternative to Western investor migration routes at a time when many European and North American programs are tightening.

Final Takeaways for Prospective Applicants

• Compare programs beyond headline costs: focus on renewal rules, family inclusion, property rights, sector infrastructure, and exit terms.
• Check official portals and primary sources for the latest requirements and documentation lists. The UAE’s golden visa page is a useful example: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/residence-visas/golden-visa.
• Plan ahead for compliance: organize source-of-funds documentation, corporate records, and personal clearances to avoid delays.
• Expect continued policy tweaks as Gulf states refine thresholds, add priority sectors (AI, climate, advanced digital), and aim for measurable economic outcomes rather than volume alone.

In 2025, the golden visas landscape across the Gulf offers many choices to anchor a long-term base. Oman’s late-August launch adds fresh competition for capital and talent. For those ready to commit money and skills, the region presents a wide range of routes to stability, family security, and access to fast-growing markets.