Oman Residency: How to Get in 2026

In recent years, Oman’s real estate market has undergone significant changes, with legal support for foreign investment playing a key role in its development. Regulatory processes have become more transparent and efficient, making the country more accessible to both large-scale investors and individual buyers looking for property for personal use.

Oman’s new residency programme is an important initiative to attract foreign capital. Notably, the Sultanate does not impose a minimum investment threshold for obtaining an investor’s Golden Visa.

Let’s explore the process of obtaining residency in Oman and the benefits it offers.

Oman Residence Visa Advantages

A resident card significantly simplifies life in Oman, allowing holders to open a bank account through an expedited process, obtain a driving licence, and sponsor family members for residency.

Holders of a residency visa can work and conduct business in Oman without needing a local sponsor. They are also eligible to own various types of real estate (residential, industrial, and commercial) outside Integrated Tourism Complexes (ITCs), which were previously the primary property options available to foreign buyers.

Some residency visas are issued for a fixed period linked to employment or studies, while investor visas are available for 2, 5, or 10 years with the option of unlimited renewal.

Types of Oman Residency Visa

Oman Residency by Investment

This is the primary residency option available to foreign nationals and was the most common pathway to legal residency in Oman before the introduction of the real estate investment residency programme in 2021.

Property is purchased as freehold, granting full ownership rights, including the ability to sell, gift, or inherit. The visa is issued for 2 years with unlimited renewal.

Oman Residency by Property Investment

In 2021, Oman’s Investment Promotion Authority introduced two additional investment residency categories for 5 and 10 years, both renewable indefinitely.

These categories allow investors to obtain residency by purchasing one or multiple properties outside ITCs, with investments ranging from 250,000 to 500,000 Omani rials ($650,000 to $1.3 million).

The properties are acquired on a freehold basis, ensuring full ownership rights.

Residency Visa for Investment in Oman’s Economy

Investors also have alternative pathways to obtain Omani residency.

One option is to invest 250,000–500,000 rials in a limited liability company (LLC) or a publicly listed company in Oman, or to purchase government bonds worth 500,000 rials.

Another option is to establish a company and employ at least 50 Omani citizens.

Residency under these investment categories is granted for 5 to 10 years, depending on the level of investment.

Oman Retirement Visa

Expats who have lived and worked in Oman for at least two years can apply for a long-term retirement visa. Applicants must demonstrate a stable monthly income of at least 4,000 Omani rials ($10,390).

The conditions for a retirement visa are similar to those of the 5-year investment residency.

Oman Work Permit Visa

A work permit is issued at the request and sponsorship of an employer.

Applicants must be at least 21 years old.

If the applicant is invited by a non-governmental organisation, they must obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources.

The visa is valid for two years and allows multiple entries without restrictions on border crossings.

Processing fee: 20 Omani rials ($52).

Student Visa in Oman

A student visa is issued and sponsored by a licensed educational institution in Oman.

It permits residence in the country for 1–2 years from the date of entry, with the possibility of renewal for the same period if studies continue.

Processing fee: 30 Omani rials ($78).

Oman Residence Visa Requirements

To apply for an investment residency visa, the following documents are required:

• Online application via the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion website or a paper application through the Omani consulate.
• Two passport-sized photos (6×4 cm).
• A passport valid for at least six months.
• Original and copy of a medical certificate (for nationals of certain countries, including India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Syria, and Nepal). The certificate must be attested by Oman’s Ministry of Health.
• Health insurance.
• Police clearance certificate.

Depending on the visa type, additional supporting documents may be required:

• Land registry extract from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning.
• Copy of property ownership documents.
• Investment confirmation from a licensed broker for those investing in an Omani company.
• Employment record from the Ministry of Human Resources verifying the hiring of at least 50 Omani workers.
• Bank statement confirming the purchase of government bonds.

Steps to Obtain Residency in Oman

Determining the Basis for Residency

Foreign nationals can apply for an Omani visa through diplomatic missions or the country’s online services for electronic entry permits.

Investment residency applications can also be submitted through the online portal by selecting the appropriate category and providing the required documents.

Waiting for a Decision

Once the application and fee payment are successfully submitted, a copy of the application and payment receipt will be sent to the registered email address.

The status of the residency application can be tracked via Oman’s Ministry of Interior online service, which also provides details on the required documentation for each visa type.

Receiving the Residency Permit

Visa and residency applications are processed within 3–6 weeks. Upon arrival in Oman, applicants must visit the Ministry of Interior within 30 days to obtain their residency card.

Oman Residence Visa Cost