Oman

Gulf

Capital Muscat

Currency OMR

Languages Arabic، English

Official fee 70 – 80 OMR

Oman's residence system is built almost entirely on employer/sponsor-based permits (the kafala model) administered by the Royal Oman Police (ROP) Directorate General of Passports & Residence, with labour clearance from the Ministry of Labour. The mainstream tiers are: a 2-year employment (work) residence visa tied to a specific employer; family joining/residence permits for dependants of qualifying expatriates; student permits sponsored by educational institutions; and self-employment/company-formation routes for foreign investors under the 2020 Foreign Capital Investment Law. Above these sits the Investor Residency Programme (Golden Residency), relaunched on 31 August 2025 with seven investment pathways and renewable 5-year and 10-year tiers (from OMR 200,000 up to OMR 500,000), which is the closest thing Oman has to long-term residence. Oman does not grant unconditional permanent residence and has no dedicated digital-nomad visa. Naturalisation is legally possible after long continuous residence (the new 2025 Nationality Law set the general threshold at 15 years, while the standard gov.om long-residence service still references 20 years), with an Arabic-language requirement and a prohibition on dual citizenship, but in practice it is rarely granted to ordinary migrants and golden-residency investors are explicitly excluded from a citizenship entitlement.

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Immigration Pathways

(8) Last updated: Jun 19, 2026 · 1 months ago

7 of 8 pathways lead to long-term settlement — 1 to permanent residence, 6 to citizenship.

8 of 8 pathways are backed by official government sources.

Sort: Recommended Lowest official fee

Work / Employment High confidence

Work Visa (Employment Residence)

Employer-sponsored 2-year work-residence visa for foreigners coming to Oman to work for a specific employer, requiring a Ministry of Labour labour clearance and tied to that sponsor under the kafala system.

Processing time: Typically 7-15 business days after submission to ROP (plus prior Ministry of Labour clearance)
Validity: 2 years, renewable; residence card issued within 30 days of entry
Language requirement: No language certificate needed
Documents: 4 required
Citizenship: Yes · Counts toward continuous-residence requirement for naturalisation (15 years under the 2025 Nationality Law; 20 years on the standard gov.om long-residence service); rarely granted in practice

Requirements

Job offer from a licensed Omani employer (sponsor)
Ministry of Labour labour permit/clearance for the post
Applicant aged 21 or over
Occupation matching the labour permit
Passport valid at least 6 months
Medical examination (for nationals of specified countries)

Required Documents

Passport valid for at least 6 months required
Two 6x4 cm photographs required
Ministry of Labour labour permit / employment contract required
Employer commercial registration and sponsorship documents required
Medical fitness certificate (nationals of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Syria, Nepal)

Official fees

Work visa fee 20 OMR

Late renewal fine (per month) 50 OMR

Estimated total 70 OMR

Process Steps

1
Secure job offer

Obtain a job offer from a licensed Omani employer willing to act as sponsor.
2
Labour clearance

Employer obtains a labour permit/clearance from the Ministry of Labour for the specific post.
3
Apply for work visa

Employer files the work visa application with ROP.
4
Enter and stamp

Employee enters Oman; visa is stamped in the passport.
5
Medical and residence card

Complete medical exam and obtain the Resident ID card with biometrics within 30 days of entry.

Official Sources

Study / Student High confidence

Student Visa

Institution-sponsored residence visa for foreigners enrolled at a licensed Omani educational or training institution, valid 1-2 years and renewable while studies continue.

Processing time: Approximately 2-4 weeks
Validity: 1-2 years from entry; renewable; use within 6 months of issuance
Language requirement: No language certificate needed
Documents: 5 required
Citizenship: Yes · Continuous residence counts toward naturalisation (15-20 years); rarely granted

Requirements

Admission/enrolment at a licensed Omani educational or training institution
Institution acts as sponsor
Passport valid 6+ months
Medical examination (nationals of specified countries)

Required Documents

Passport valid 6+ months required
Two 6x4 cm photographs required
Educational institution approval to host foreign students required
Covering letter from institution describing the study programme required
Institution commercial registration / Chamber of Commerce documents required
Medical certificate (nationals of specified countries)

Official fees

Student visa fee 30 OMR

Process Steps

1
Get admission

Obtain admission/enrolment at a licensed Omani institution that will sponsor the visa.
2
Institution applies

The institution submits the Student Visa application to ROP with the supporting letter.
3
Enter and medical

Student enters Oman and completes the required medical examination.
4
Residence card

Obtain the Resident ID card.
5
Renew as needed

Renew with an enrolment-confirmation letter for continuing studies.

Official Sources

Official Royal Oman Police - Student Visa · Royal Oman Police

Self-employment / Freelance Low confidence

Freelance / Self-Employment Permit

A Ministry of Labour route that lets independent professionals work legally in Oman without a traditional employer-sponsor, structured through a freelance/self-employment registration that provides a residence. Official fee/detail documentation is limited.

Processing time: Registration a few days to a few weeks; visa typically 1-3 weeks
Validity: Renewable residence (commonly aligned to 2-year cycles)
Language requirement: No language certificate needed
Documents: 2 required
Citizenship: Yes · Continuous residence counts toward naturalisation (15-20 years); rarely granted

Requirements

Freelance / self-employment registration with the Ministry of Labour
Valid passport
Proof of professional activity / qualifications
Clean criminal record

Required Documents

Valid passport required
Photographs required
Professional qualifications / portfolio (activity-dependent)
Medical certificate

Process Steps

1
Register freelance activity

Register the freelance/self-employment activity with the Ministry of Labour.
2
Obtain residence

Apply for the residence permit linked to the freelance registration.
3
Complete formalities

Medical exam, biometrics and Resident ID card issuance.

Official Sources

Official Oman National Portal - Ministry of Labour services · Government of Oman / Ministry of Labour

Company Formation Medium confidence

Company Formation with Investor Residence (Mainland LLC / Free Zone)

Foreigners can register a 100%-owned company (mainland LLC under the Foreign Capital Investment Law, or a free-zone entity in Sohar, Duqm, Salalah or Al Mazunah) via the Oman Business Platform and obtain an investor residence on that basis.

Processing time: Company setup commonly cited at around 5-7 working days; residence follows
Validity: Investor residence typically 2 years (renewable) unless qualifying for 5/10-year Golden Residency
Language requirement: No language certificate needed
Documents: 4 required
Citizenship: Yes · Continuous residence counts toward naturalisation (15-20 years); rarely granted

Requirements

Register a company via the Oman Business Platform (business.gov.om)
Meet the capital/activity requirements set by the relevant authority
Obtain commercial registration and required activity licences
Valid passport and clean record

Required Documents

Passport copy of shareholder(s) required
Proposed company name and activity / business plan required
Commercial registration application via Oman Business Platform required
Lease/office address for the company required
Capital declaration

Official fees

Indicative minimum capital - 100% foreign-owned mainland LLC (varies by activity; no single statutory floor)

Process Steps

1
Reserve name & activity

Reserve a trade name and define the business activity on the Oman Business Platform.
2
Register company

Complete commercial registration (mainland LLC or free-zone entity) and obtain the CR number.
3
Licensing

Obtain sector/municipal licences and Chamber of Commerce membership.
4
Capital & bank

Open a corporate bank account and inject capital as required by the activity.
5
Investor residence

Apply for the investor residence permit on the basis of company ownership and sponsor dependants/staff.

Official Sources

Official Oman Business Platform (Invest Oman one-stop shop) · Government of Oman

Investor / Golden Visa High confidence

Investor Residency Programme (Golden Residency, 5-year and 10-year)

Oman's long-term residency-by-investment programme, officially relaunched on 31 August 2025, is now offered as two distinct products: the Golden Visa (10-year, minimum OMR 500,000 investment, application fee OMR 551) and the Silver Visa (5-year, minimum OMR 250,000 investment, application fee OMR 326). A retirement track is also available under the 5-year tier for applicants aged 60+ with a fixed monthly income of at least OMR 4,000. Applications are processed through the Invest Oman digital platform.

Processing time: Electronic processing via the Investment Services Centre; typically several weeks
Validity: 10 years (Golden Visa) or 5 years (Silver Visa), both renewable. Retirement track grants 5-year residency.
Language requirement: No language certificate needed
Documents: 3 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Functions as Oman's long-term residence (5/10-year renewable); no separate unconditional PR exists

Requirements

Qualifying investment meeting the chosen tier/pathway threshold (from OMR 200,000; OMR 250,000 for 5-year; OMR 500,000 for 10-year)
Valid passport
Clean criminal record / good conduct
Proof of investment (company registration, title deed, bond/deposit/securities statement)

Required Documents

Valid passport required
Proof of qualifying investment (title deed, share certificate, bond/deposit certificate, or commercial registration) required
Police clearance / good conduct certificate required
Medical certificate

Official fees

Golden Visa application fee (10-year, OMR 500,000 threshold) 551 OMR

Process Steps

1
Choose investment pathway

Select a qualifying route (real estate/ITC, company, bonds, equities, fixed deposit, or job-creating company) and the matching 5- or 10-year tier.
2
Make the investment

Complete the qualifying investment in Oman and obtain documentary proof.
3
Apply electronically

Submit the application through the Ministry's Investment Services Centre / Invest Oman portal.
4
Verification

Authorities verify the investment and applicant background.
5
Receive residency

Receive the 5-year or 10-year Investor Residency permit and ID; sponsor dependants as applicable.

Official Sources

Family Reunification High confidence

Family Joining Visa

Allows a qualifying expatriate (senior post per GCC standards, monthly salary not less than OMR 600) to bring a spouse and children under 21 to reside in Oman; also used by foreign wives of Omani citizens.

Processing time: Generally a few weeks
Validity: 2 years, renewable; multi-entry
Language requirement: No language certificate needed
Documents: 5 required
Citizenship: Yes · Relaxed naturalisation provisions for spouses/widows/divorcees of Omanis under the 2025 Nationality Law; otherwise the general 15-20 year rule

Requirements

Sponsor holds a senior-grade post with monthly salary not less than OMR 600
Suitable accommodation in sponsor's or employer's name
Authenticated marriage certificate (spouse) / proof of relationship (children)
Bank statements evidencing salary
Children under 21

Required Documents

Passport valid 6+ months required
Two 6x4 cm photographs required
Authenticated marriage certificate (for spouse) required
Salary bank statements / employment verification required
Residential lease agreement required
Medical certificate (nationals of specified countries)

Official fees

Family joining visa fee 30 OMR

Late renewal/registration fine 50 OMR

Estimated total 80 OMR

Process Steps

1
Confirm eligibility

Sponsor confirms senior-grade status and minimum salary (not less than OMR 600) and suitable housing.
2
Gather documents

Prepare authenticated marriage certificate, salary statements, lease and photos.
3
Apply to ROP

File the Family Joining Visa application with the Royal Oman Police.
4
Entry and medical

Family enters Oman; complete medical exam where required.
5
Residence card

Obtain Resident ID cards for dependants.

Official Sources

Official Royal Oman Police - Family Joining Visa · Royal Oman Police

Permanent Residence Medium confidence

Long-Term Residence (Investor Residency - de facto PR)

This pathway has been superseded by the relaunched Golden and Silver Visa programme effective 31 August 2025. The Golden Visa (10-year, OMR 500,000, fee OMR 551) and Silver Visa (5-year, OMR 250,000, fee OMR 326) replace the previous two-tier OMR 200,000/500,000 structure. See the Investor Residency Programme (Golden Residency) pathway for current details.

Processing time: N/A (no separate PR application; via Investor Residency)
Validity: Investor Residency: 5 or 10 years renewable; all other permits temporary/renewable
Language requirement: No language certificate needed

Citizenship / Naturalization Medium confidence

Omani Citizenship by Naturalisation

Naturalisation is legally possible after long continuous lawful residence with an Arabic-language requirement, good conduct, lawful income and renunciation of prior citizenship, but in practice it is rarely granted to ordinary migrants and dual nationality is prohibited.

Processing time: Estimated around 36 months
Validity: Permanent once granted (subject to revocation rules)
Language requirement: Proficiency in reading and writing Arabic
Documents: 6 required
Citizenship: Yes · 15 years under the 2025 Nationality Law (20 years on the standard gov.om service); discretionary and rarely granted

Requirements

Continuous lawful residence (15 years under the 2025 Nationality Law; 20 years on the standard gov.om long-residence service)
Proficiency in reading and writing Arabic
Good conduct and no disqualifying convictions
Healthy and free from infectious diseases
Lawful income sufficient to support self and dependants
Written undertaking to renounce current citizenship (no dual nationality)

Required Documents

Passport and resident card required
Medical examination results required
Certificate of non-conviction required
Salary / income certificate required
Visa / residence records evidencing continuous residence required
Embassy certificate and family documents (spouse/child passports, birth certificates) required

Official fees

Citizenship application service fee 600 OMR

Process Steps

1
Meet residence threshold

Accumulate the required continuous lawful residence (15 years under the 2025 law; 20 on the standard gov.om service).
2
Demonstrate Arabic & conduct

Pass the Arabic proficiency exam and establish good conduct, health and lawful income.
3
Assemble documents

Prepare residence records, medical results, non-conviction certificate, income proof and family documents.
4
Submit application

Apply via the gov.om citizenship service and pay the fee.
5
Await discretionary decision

Application is reviewed by the Ministry of Interior; approval is discretionary and uncommon. Renounce prior citizenship if granted.

Official Sources

Some pathway details are machine-translated and may contain minor inaccuracies. Always verify with official sources.

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