Oman (OM)
Oman is one of the most welcoming and stable expat destinations in the Middle East, offering a unique blend of ancient Arabian heritage, dramatic natural landscapes, and a rapidly modernising economy.
Capital: Muscat
Region: Middle East
Language: Arabic
Currency: OMR (ر.ع.)
Cost of living: Moderate (index 58)
Emergency: 9999
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Citizenship & Permanent Residency
Long-term settlement options in Oman.
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Permanent Residency
Name
Oman Permanent Residency
Eligibility
Very limited. No general permanent residency route for expats. Permanent residency is rarely granted and typically only to: (1) Foreign spouses of Omani nationals (after 15 years of continuous legal residence); (2) Children of Omani fathers/mothers in certain circumstances; (3) Long-term investors under specific programmes (Golden Visa provides 10-year renewable status, which is functionally similar).
Duration
Permanent (once granted, extremely rare for non-spouses of Omanis)
Requirements
- ✓15+ years continuous lawful residence (spouse of Omani)
- ✓OR: significant long-term investment
- ✓Clean criminal record
- ✓Arabic language proficiency (for some categories)
- ✓Application to Royal Court Affairs for special cases
Oman does not have a conventional permanent residency pathway for most expatriates. The closest available is the 10-year Golden Visa (self-renewable) introduced in 2021. Most expats live in Oman on renewable 2-year work/residence permits for their entire career. This is not expected to fundamentally change under Vision 2040 short-term targets.
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Citizenship
Name
Omani Citizenship (Naturalisation)
Eligibility
Practically unavailable to most foreigners. Naturalisation criteria (Omani Nationality Law, RD 38/2014): (1) Born to Omani father; (2) Foreign wife of Omani national — possible after 15 years of marriage + continuous residence; (3) Special grant by Royal Decree for exceptional service to Oman or distinguished individuals; (4) Arab nationals after 20 years continuous legal residence. Non-Arab non-GCC nationals: effectively not available by routine naturalisation.
Duration
Permanent citizenship once granted
Requirements
- ✓Omani father (birth citizenship — jus sanguinis)
- ✓OR: married to Omani man, 15 years of marriage, residing in Oman
- ✓OR: Arab national, 20 years continuous residence
- ✓OR: Royal Decree (exceptional services — very rare)
- ✓Arabic language fluency
- ✓Clean criminal record
- ✓No other citizenship held (Oman does not recognise dual citizenship)
Oman citizenship is one of the most restricted in the Gulf. Foreign wives who naturalise must renounce their original nationality. Children of Omani mothers and foreign fathers do not automatically get Omani citizenship (Omani fathers pass citizenship by descent). In practice, most expats retire or return home rather than pursue citizenship. Oman has NO naturalisation track for non-Arab general expats after years of work — no points system exists.
Other Routes to Residency & Citizenship
Golden Visa (10-Year) and Silver Visa (5-Year) Residency
Eligibility
Oman relaunched its programme in August 2025 with a two-tier structure. GOLDEN VISA (10-year renewable): (1) Real estate investment of OMR 500,000+; (2) Business investment of OMR 500,000+ in an Omani-based LLC or bonds; (3) Employment creation — establish a company employing at least 50 Omani nationals (no minimum capital). SILVER VISA (5-year renewable): (1) Real estate investment of OMR 250,000+; (2) Business investment of OMR 250,000+ in an Omani LLC. SEPARATE RETIREE ROUTE (5-year renewable): Aged 60+ with monthly fixed income of at least OMR 4,000. Specialised talent categories also available. Neither route leads to citizenship.
Duration / Outcome
Golden Visa: 10 years, self-renewable. Silver Visa: 5 years, renewable. Retiree: 5 years, renewable.
Requirements
- ✓Golden Visa: OMR 500,000 real estate OR OMR 500,000 business/bonds OR 50 Omani employees created
- ✓Silver Visa: OMR 250,000 real estate OR OMR 250,000 business investment
- ✓Retiree (5-yr): aged 60+, monthly fixed income OMR 4,000+
- ✓Applicant must be aged 21+
- ✓Valid medical insurance covering Oman
- ✓Clean criminal record
- ✓Application to the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) or designated Golden Visa authority
- ✓Biometric enrollment and documentation review
The Golden Visa does not lead to Omani citizenship — Oman's naturalisation rules are constitutionally and legally separate. Golden Visa holders may work freely without a separate work permit, sponsor immediate family members, and own property in designated areas. The relaunch in August 2025 expanded categories significantly from the original 2021 investor-only programme. Confirm current investment thresholds and accepted asset classes with the OIA before applying as programme details can be updated.
Citizenship by Descent — Children of Omani Fathers
Eligibility
Children born to an Omani-citizen father acquire Omani citizenship by descent at birth, regardless of the mother's nationality or the country of birth. Children of Omani mothers and non-Omani fathers do not automatically receive Omani citizenship — Oman follows a patrilineal descent rule.
Duration / Outcome
Permanent from birth
Requirements
- ✓Father must be an Omani citizen at the time of the child's birth
- ✓Birth registration with the relevant Omani civil authority or consulate
- ✓For births outside Oman: registration at the nearest Omani embassy or consulate
The patrilineal citizenship rule means that children of Omani mothers and non-Omani fathers have a more limited path — they may apply for citizenship through the special Royal-Decree route, but this is rare. Dual citizenship is not recognised: an Omani citizen who acquires another nationality automatically loses Omani citizenship by law.
🌍 Dual Citizenship
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Dual citizenship is not allowed — Oman does not recognise dual citizenship. Any Omani who acquires foreign citizenship automatically loses Omani citizenship by law (Omani Nationality Law). Foreign nationals who naturalise as Omani must renounce their original nationality. Note: the practical enforcement of home-country citizenship renouncement varies by country — many countries do not accept renunciation or continue to recognise the person as their citizen regardless. Consult your home country embassy before pursuing any naturalisation if applicable.
Citizenship & Permanent Residency
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