Citizeo Expand your global options
Guide

Middle East Residence and Citizenship Options

What can support a move to the Middle East?

Work and family connections are common starting points for a move to the Middle East. Study, business, and financial resources can support other routes, while citizenship requires a separate qualifying basis.

About this guide

A move to the Middle East may center on a career opportunity, joining family, or establishing a business. The right permission should support that purpose and the everyday life you expect to have once you arrive.

This guide compares selected residence routes across the region, including Egypt, and considers citizenship options separately. Use the tables to find routes that match your circumstances, then explore their work and family conditions. The regional report explains the main choices in more detail.

Pathways compared 26
Countries covered 10

A local job with employer support
Bahrain Work Residence Employment Residency A documented job with an employer in Bahrain can support permission to live and work there. The employer must arrange the required approvals. Yes Temporary; the issued permit sets the duration Residence and approved local employment
Oman Work Residence Employment Residency A documented job with an employer in Oman can support permission to live and work there. The employer must arrange the required approvals. Yes Temporary; the issued permit sets the duration Residence and approved local employment
Qatar Work Residence Employment Residency A documented job with an employer in Qatar can support permission to live and work there. The employer must arrange the required approvals. Yes Temporary; the issued permit sets the duration Residence and approved local employment
Saudi Arabia Work Residence Employment Residency A documented job with an employer in Saudi Arabia can support permission to live and work there. The employer must arrange the required approvals. Yes Temporary; the issued permit sets the duration Residence and approved local employment
Kuwait Work Residence Employment Residency A documented job with an employer in Kuwait can support permission to live and work there. The employer must arrange the required approvals. Yes Temporary; the issued permit sets the duration Residence and approved local employment
Jordan Work Residence Employment Residency A documented job with an employer in Jordan can support permission to live and work there. The employer must arrange the required approvals. Yes Temporary; the issued permit sets the duration Residence and approved local employment
Kuwait Government Work Residence Employment Residency A local employer can support an application to live and work in Kuwait, subject to the required employment and residence approvals. Yes with employer support As granted; confirm the term and renewal requirements Residence and employment for the role and period covered by the approvals.
Iraq Project Work Residence Employment Residency A local employer can support an application to live and work in Iraq, subject to the required employment and residence approvals. Yes with employer support For the period approved by the responsible authorities Residence and employment for the role and period covered by the approvals.

No pathways match that filter.

Joining a qualifying foreign resident
Bahrain Family Residence Family Residency Eligible spouse or child of a qualifying foreign resident Depends on the sponsor and issued permission Family residence; employment needs separate checking
Oman Family Residence Family Residency Eligible spouse or child of a qualifying foreign resident Depends on the sponsor and issued permission Family residence; employment needs separate checking
Qatar Family Residence Family Residency Eligible spouse or child of a qualifying foreign resident Depends on the sponsor and issued permission Family residence; employment needs separate checking
Kuwait Sponsored Spouse Residence Family Residency A qualifying foreign resident in Kuwait can support a spouse’s family residence application under Article 22. For the period approved under the family residence permission Residence with the approved spouse sponsor for the period granted under Article 22.

No pathways match that filter.

A place at a qualifying university
Oman Student Residence Study Residency Yes Evidence of support required; confirm the institution’s checklist One to two years, renewable for continued qualifying study Residence for qualifying study
Saudi Arabia Student Residence Study Residency Yes Evidence of support required; confirm the institution’s checklist One year, renewable annually Residence for qualifying study
Jordan Student Residence Study Residency Yes Evidence of support required; confirm the institution’s checklist Annual residence Residence for qualifying study
Lebanon Student Residence Study Residency Yes Evidence of support required; confirm the institution’s checklist 12 months, renewable under the university-supported process Residence for qualifying study
Egypt Student Residence Study Residency Yes Evidence of support required; confirm the institution’s checklist Temporary; check the issued permission Residence for qualifying study
Israel Student Residence Study Residency Yes Evidence of support required; confirm the institution’s checklist Up to one year, renewable for continued qualifying study Residence for qualifying study
Kuwait Student Residence Study Residency Admission and current enrollment at a qualifying institution Provide the accepted place and the government institution’s signed residence letter stating the required period. Ask the institution to confirm its support and the financial arrangements for the course. As granted for the course; renew when required Stay for the approved studies and permit period, while continuing to meet the conditions.

No pathways match that filter.

Ordinary residence based on financial resources
Bahrain Property Owner Residence Investment Residency BHD 50,000 qualifying home, plus income and other requirements Two-, five-, or ten-year options Self-sponsored residence; check work approval separately
Jordan Bank Deposit Residence Investment Residency JOD 20,000 deposit; or JOD 10,000 plus owned apartment Annual; a five-year grant needs separate approval Residence without work

No pathways match that filter.

An endorsed business in Qatar
Qatar Entrepreneur Residence Startup Residency Entrepreneurs endorsed by a recognized Qatari incubator Long-term renewable residence; confirm the grant Founder residence, followed by a separate special work permit

No pathways match that filter.

Citizenship through a specific qualifying basis
Lebanon Citizenship Through a Father Descent Citizenship People with citizenship through a Lebanese father at birth Registration of existing citizenship; case-dependent Documentation of existing citizenship where the legal link is established
Egypt Investment Citizenship Investment Citizenship Applicants funding a qualifying option and passing government review Government review and final approval; no guaranteed total time Egyptian citizenship after final approval

No pathways match that filter.

Licensed investment businesses in Iraq and Kuwait
Iraq Licensed-Project Investor Residence Entrepreneur Residency Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Iraq. The business and your personal role must qualify. For the period approved in connection with the licensed project Residence for the business activity and period accepted by the authorities, with any separate work or professional approval still required.
Kuwait KDIPA Investor Residence Investor Residency Owners or partners in qualifying KDIPA-licensed entities can seek long-term residence of up to 15 years under Kuwait’s 2026 investment framework. Up to 15 years, as approved A residence permission of up to 15 years if approved. Eligible immediate family can be included under the applicable framework and individual checks.

No pathways match that filter.