The Middle East is competing for wealthy expats with a surge of 'golden visas'

"The race to attract foreign capital and talent across the Middle East is heating up, with Gulf countries unveiling long‑term residency programs, commonly known as golden visas. Oman became the latest Gulf state to join the trend on Sunday, launching a 10-year "Golden Residency" for foreigners investing 200,000 Omani rials, or about $520,000, in property, bonds, companies, or businesses that generate jobs. The offer includes automatic residency for first-degree family members, fast‑track airport access, and the right to own property beyond designated tourism zones."

"This move aligns with Oman Vision 2040 - an economic diversification plan similar to Saudi Arabia's much-discussed Vision 2030 - designed to wean public finances off oil and stimulate its agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and logistics sectors. Across the Gulf, falling global oil prices are squeezing government budgets and accelerating diversification efforts. In July, economists at BNP Paribas forecast that Brent crude will average around $65 per barrel in 2025-26, down from nearly $80 in 2024, leaving some of the region's oil-revenue-dependent economies more vulnerable."

"The UAE leads the pack with 9,800 millionaire inflows, per Henley and Partners. For comparison, the UAE's golden visa also offers decadelong residency, with entry thresholds typically in the $545,000 range for real estate investments. Saudi Arabia's Premium Residency can be secured through a one-time payment of about $213,000 or via renewable annual permits costing about $26,700 a year. Additional investor and property pathways start at $1.07 million and $1.86 million, respectively."

Oman launched a 10-year Golden Residency requiring a 200,000 Omani rials (~$520,000) investment in property, bonds, companies, or job-creating businesses. The residency grants automatic status to first-degree family members, fast-track airport access, and the right to own property beyond designated tourism zones. The program supports Oman Vision 2040 to diversify public finances away from oil and stimulate agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and logistics. Falling global oil prices are squeezing Gulf budgets and accelerating diversification. Economists at BNP Paribas project Brent crude near $65 per barrel in 2025-26, and the UAE leads regional millionaire inflows with 9,800, per Henley and Partners.

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