Located on the south-east of the Arabian Peninsula, the Sultanate of Oman attracts many expats due to the country’s high living standards. The World Health Organisation has listed Oman among the most promising states for a prosperous life. The crime rate and level of unemployment are close to zero in the sunny sultanate where summer continues all year.
How to get Oman citizenship? There are several routes to an Omani passport. However, it is a long process for all foreigners. While immigrants account for over 40% of Oman's population, most of them can only get a residence permit. Read on to learn how you can get Omani citizenship.
Benefits of an Omani Passport
Of all the countries of the Persian Gulf, Oman is considered one of the most liberal in terms of civil rights and freedoms. Although it is a Muslim country, women can, for example, drive a car and take executive positions.
What are the benefits of citizenship of Oman? Omani citizens have many opportunities. For instance, they can study in any foreign or local university for free. The Omani state will cover all the costs. They also have access to free healthcare, can own property, launch or run a business without any restrictions. Real estate in Oman is affordable and the interest rate on loans is low, compared to wages. Omani citizens can participate in parliamentary elections from the age of 21. However, people working in the security and military forces are not allowed to vote.
What about travel opportunities with Omani citizenship? The Omani passport allows you to visit 42 countries without a visa and to travel to 35 countries where the visa is issued on arrival.
Muscat. Photo: Anfal Shamsudeen (Unsplash)
Citizenship by Descent
So, how to get Omani citizenship? The fact that you were born in Oman does not mean you will automatically become its citizen. Nevertheless, children born in Oman to unknown parents are eligible for Omani citizenship. The same applies to children born to Omani parents, regardless of their place of birth. This also applies to children born to an Omani father. To become an Omani, children born abroad must visit the country before they turn 18.
If children were born to an Omani mother and foreign father, they must meet certain criteria to be eligible for Omani citizenship.
- The father has died or the parents divorced more than 10 years ago.
- The marriage was authorised by the authorities.
- The children are under the mother's custody and she has given them permission to apply for Omani citizenship.
Children born to an Omani mother and an unknown father may also become Omani citizens by descent.
Citizenship by Marriage
How to get citizenship in Oman by marriage? According to Omani law, foreign women married to Omani men are eligible for Omani citizenship. To obtain citizenship, they must meet the following requirements:
- be married for over 10 years;
- the marriage was authorised by the authorities;
- have at least one child.
Spouses of Omani citizens must pass a language test, prove their reliability and confirm that they have no criminal record. Widows and divorced women married to an Omani citizen can also apply for citizenship. They must meet all the conditions listed above and not be married to a foreigner at the time of the application.
How to get citizenship of Oman by marriage for man? Foreign men married to Omani women are not eligible for Omani citizenship by marriage. They can only obtain Omani citizenship through naturalisation. They only have to live in Oman for 15 years, whereas other candidates for citizenship through naturalisation must live in the country for at least 20 years. Still a foreign husband can obtain Omani citizenship if the local authorities authorised the marriage and the couple has at least one child born to an Omani citizen.
Bimmah Sinkhole. Photo: Katerina Kerdi (Unsplash)
Other Routes to Omani Citizenship
What about Omani citizenship for expats? Foreign citizens who have contributed greatly to the State of Oman can become Omani citizens further to a special decree of the government. As a rule, this applies to highly-skilled professionals who have been working in Oman for several years and have made a contribution to science, the economy, or gained the trust of the authorities in some other wa
Citizenship by Investment: Is It Possible?
How to apply for Omani citizenship by investments? Oman does not have any immigration programmes for investors. However, they can obtain a long-term residence permit. In this case, you require approval from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Oman. The new programme states that you can invest OMR 250,000 (USD 650,000) to get a “golden visa” for five years. To obtain a ten-year residence permit, you must invest over OMR 500,000 (USD 1.3 million). You can invest in government bonds, business or real estate.
Citizenship through Naturalisation
What other ways are there to obtain Oman citizenship for foreigners? Naturalisation is the most common route to obtain Omani citizenship. Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- legally live in Oman for at least 20 years,
- have a stable income and job to support their family,
- be able to speak Arabic and know the basics of Islam,
- prove that they have no criminal record and have not committed any serious offences,
- confirm that they do not have any disease which could put national healthcare at risk, and
- renounce their current citizenship in writing.
Required Documents
How to apply for Oman citizenship? The Ministry of Interior is responsible for Oman citizenship issues. You should submit a completed application form and a package of the required documents to the Ministry of Interior. The list includes:
- a travel passport,
- a valid visa,
- a resident card confirming that you have a residence permit,
- a birth certificate (for minors),
- a school graduation certificate or university diploma,
- a certificate of residency in the country,
- documents confirming your work experience in Oman, and
- the receipt confirming payment of the fee.
For Oman citizenship application you will also have to pass a medical exam and attach the doctor’s report. Other vital stages of the application process are the interview with an immigration officer and a naturalisation test which checks your knowledge of the Arabic language, the history and culture of Oman.
I applied for Omani citizenship, does it take a long time to get the result? The whole process can take from several months to several years. The timeframe depends on the application route and other factors. If your case is approved, you must renounce your current citizenship as Oman does not recognise dual citizenship. Only the Sultan can make a few exceptions to this rule.
In a Nutshell
Oman is one of the most developed Muslim states on the Arabian Peninsula. Omani citizenship offers many benefits, but is hard to get. So what are the ways to obtain Oman citizenship for expats? In fact, there are only four routes: by marriage, naturalisation, descent, or for special merit.
Cover photo: Mutrah, Muscat. Muhammad Shoaib (Unsplash)
