Residency Visa Document Requirements: Residency Visa Across the GCC
Step-by-step document checklists for obtaining a residency visa in GCC countries. Confirm all requirements with the relevant authority before applying. Document requirements vary by country — the authority, the forms, the supporting evidence, and the fees can all differ. Select your destination country below for the exact checklist.
Select a country
GCC countries use different processes and authorities for the same service. Confirming which country applies to your situation before gathering documents will save significant time.
UAE
ICP / GDRFA
12 documents required
View checklist →Saudi Arabia
ABSHER / Jawazat (General Directorate of Passports)
10 documents required
View checklist →Qatar
Ministry of Interior (MOI) Qatar
9 documents required
View checklist →Bahrain
Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) / iGA
8 documents required
View checklist →Kuwait
Ministry of Interior (MOI) Kuwait / PACI
10 documents required
View checklist →Oman
Royal Oman Police (ROP)
10 documents required
View checklist →Why do requirements differ across GCC countries?
Each GCC member state maintains its own immigration and labour authority, its own processing fees, and its own preferred document formats. A Residency Visa in the UAE is handled by the ICP; in Saudi Arabia it goes through ABSHER and the Ministry of Interior; in Qatar through the Ministry of Interior. The base list of documents is often similar, but attestation requirements, validity periods, and permitted document languages all vary — sometimes significantly. Always verify the current list with the issuing authority before submission.