Oman is a Gulf country on the Arabian Peninsula that offers tax-free income. While Oman is rich in culture and economically vibrant, it is also a good place to work and build your life. If you have already found your way to Oman via a work visa or other visa pathways and want to cement your stay in Oman, then you have to work towards a permanent residency.
The introduction of Oman’s Permanent Residency program has created residency opportunities for investors, professionals, and retirees looking to make Oman their home. Without further Ado, we’ll explain in detail what Oman permanent residency entails, including benefits, requirements, and how to apply for it.
What is Oman Permanent Residency About?
The Oman permanent residency is simply a kind of permit that allows foreign nationals to work and live in Oman permanently and a right to a legal residency. With an Oman permanent residency, you don’t have to worry about deportation or visa expiration. Unlike short-term visas, a permanent residency offers better stability and benefits, such as permission to own properties and establish businesses in Oman.
Just like Oman work visas, permanent residency also comes in different types, which we will explain briefly:
Residency By Investment
Popularly known as the Oman Golden Visa, this residency option allows foreign nationals to become permanent residents by investing in Oman. With a minimum investment of OMR 250,000, you can be on your way to permanent residency. You can invest in real estate, companies, or even government bonds.
Getting a residency via the Oman investment program is in two parts: a 10-year residency with a minimum investment of OMR 500,000 and a 5-year residency with a minimum of OMR 200,000. Also, investors who own a company in Oman with nothing less than 50 Omani employees can have up to 10 years of residency in Oman. Whatever option you choose, you will surely get a rewarding experience.
Skilled Professionals Residency
If you’re a tech expert, a healthcare hero, an engineering pro, or you’re just good with Academia, then you should not pass by the opportunity of a permanent residency in Omani. It doesn’t matter if you have an initial visa; as long as your experience and ambitions contribute to the growth of Oman, you have no problem. With this residency, you can enjoy benefits like bringing your family along and a chance to contribute to transformative projects. As a permanent resident in Oman, you can experience a fulfilling career and work-life balance.
Retiree Residency
Oman permanent residency is open to investors, skilled professionals, and retirees. The goal of working hard is to retire in comfort; becoming a retiree can give you that advantage. Oman offers a peaceful environment and a more relaxed lifestyle, allowing you to enjoy your golden age. Also, as a retiree seeking to become a permanent resident in Oman, you don’t need an Oman work history.
Citizenship Through Naturalization
Citizenship through naturalization is another option that promises a permanent stay in Oman. Generally, citizenship through naturalization allows a foreigner to become a citizen of another country outside their home country legally. There are different cases in Oman where a foreigner can be granted citizenship.
The major option is that you must have lived in Oman continuously for at least 20 years. However, this can be reduced to 15 years if you’re married to an Omani spouse with the Omani Ministry of Interior’s consent and have a child with your spouse.
Another option is citizenship by descent; as a foreigner, if your father has Omani citizenship or one of your parents is Oman at the time of your birth, you’re automatically considered a citizen of Oman. One key information about becoming an Omani citizen of descent is that you must renounce your current citizenship. If that is okay with you, you can proceed with the process; otherwise, you can opt for other Oman entry options.
Benefits of Having an Oman Permanent Residency
Living in Oman provides security, investment, business opportunities, professional growth, and an overall welcoming environment for individuals and families. Here are some benefits of having permanent residency in Oman.
Long-term Stability
If you’re working in Oman and thinking long-term, you can pursue a permanent residency. Oman offers a stable and secure work environment, providing an excellent option for expatriates seeking long-term career opportunities. In addition, Oman has strong political stability, a booming economy, and policies that favor foreign workers, giving them peace of mind.
Freedom of Owning Properties
Only a few Gulf countries allow foreign nationals to own properties in their country, one of which is Oman. Unlike many other Gulf countries, Oman enables foreign workers to invest in real estate, providing a sense of permanence and an opportunity to grow personal wealth. So, if you have a temporary residence visa in Oman and are looking forward to owning properties in Oman, you should consider a permanent residency option.
Business opportunities
If you’re a business-oriented person looking for ways to build wealth without tax eating into your business, you can achieve that with a permanent residency. Thanks to Oman’s open economy and investor-friendly policies, the country has become an attractive destination for investors and people in business. As a foreign worker, you can explore opportunities to start your own business or collaborate with local enterprises.
Family Inclusion
Oman values family, which is reflected in its visa policy, which allows workers to bring their immediate family members. This gives investors and skilled workers a chance to be more productive and prevents retirees from feeling lonely during their stay.
Eligibility Criteria For Oman Permanent Residency
Oman permanent residency is targeted at three groups: investors, professionals, and retirees. We will list the eligibility criteria based on these categories. The general eligibility requirements are that you must have a valid passport and be at least 21 years old at the time of application.
Investors
- You must have proof of funds to support yourself and any of your dependents in Oman.
- A minimum investment of OMR 200,000 in real estate, businesses, and government-approved projects must be made.
- Must have proof of ownership or partnership in a registered Omani company.
- Your Police clearance certificate must show zero criminal record in your home country and Oman.
Professionals
- Must have advanced degrees, certifications, and experience, especially in medicine, engineering, and technology.
- Evidence of good work experience
- Must have contributed or are still contributing to Oman’s development, especially in healthcare, education, or technology.
Retirees
- Must be at least 60 years or older.
- Must have a steady or fixed income of at least OMR 2,000 outside of Oman to cover living expenses.
- A good health insurance for themselves and any dependents they are bringing to Oman.
Documents Required For Oman Permanent Residency Application
- A valid passport
- Completed application form
- Recent passport-sized photographs
- Police clearance certificate showing zero criminal record
- Manpower form after medical examination
- Medical clearance certificate
How to Apply for Oman Permanent Residency
The process can take a few weeks to months, depending on the complexity of the application. Now that you know the different ways of getting a permanent residency in Oman, let’s see how to apply.
Be Sure of Your Eligibility
Based on the time of permanent residency you’re seeking, be sure you’re eligible and can meet the requirements. Also, if you’re unsure of how to go about that, you can consult the Omani help center on any of their websites, or likewise, you can seek the help of an immigration adviser.Â
Submit all Required Documents
To continue with your permanent resident application, you must gather all required documents, such as a valid passport, bank statements, proof of business ownership, etc. Also, ensure you fill out your application form correctly, pay all necessary fees, and submit it through the designated immigration platform. If you’re a retiree or a first-time golden visa applicant applying outside of Oman, you can submit your documents at the Omani consulate in your country of residence.
Wait for Review and Approval
As long as your documents are correctly submitted, your application will undergo review to confirm your compliance with the requirements. Once your application is approved, you will be contacted, and you can pick it up at the Omani consulate in your home country or Omani, depending on where you made your application.
Application and Processing Fees
Applying for Oman’s Permanent Residency (PR) comes with specific fees that vary based on the residency category and the duration. The initial application submission requires a non-refundable fee ranging between OMR 300-500, which covers the processing and review of documents. The fees vary depending on the type of residency (investor, skilled professional, or retiree)
Aside from the initial application fee, if your application gets approved, you also need to pay an issuance fee for your permanent residence card, which varies based on the duration of your permit. If you’re bringing family members with you, you must also pay for their processing fees.
Let’s not forget the medical examination costs and legal consultancy fees. With all of these expenses, you might need between OMR 1000 – 5,000. However, it is important to check Omani’s official immigration website for the latest and most structured application fee breakdown. Also, ensure that you keep the receipt of every payment you make for future reference.
Permanent Residency Renewal
Oman permanent residency is not a one-time thing; it requires constant renewal to continue enjoying its benefits. If you’re an investor, you have to continue meeting the investment requirements. However, professionals have to keep contributing positively to their field, coupled with proof of past and ongoing projects.
For retirees, you must show that you have sufficient funds and health insurance to care for yourself. Also, know that a delay in renewal will attract fines or probably violate Oman’s law. To maintain a clean record and avoid immigration violations, start your renewal application before your residency permit expires.
Challenges of an Omani Permanent Residency
Even though the Omani permanent residency promises many benefits, there are still some limitations to it.
Constant Renewal
One downside of Omani permanent residency is having to renew periodically. Oman permanent residency is not a one-time grant. If you have this permit, you must meet ongoing compliance standards, such as maintaining investments or fulfilling residency conditions. You should also know that failure to renew on time or meet the laid-down conditions might lead to the revocation of the residency status.
Financial Considerations
For someone trying to find their foot in a new country, the initial costs of securing an Omani permanent residency can be overwhelming. Investments and application fees are no joke and can affect an applicant’s finances. Other expenses like buying properties and meeting the investment standard alongside health care and dependent visas can be a lot to handle. Meeting these financial commitments may pose a challenge for some applicants, especially in the long term.
No citizenship Right
Aside from citizenship by naturalization, permanent residency does not give foreign nationals the right to Omani citizenship. This means that foreign nationals with this residency have no right to vote in Oman, can’t hold public office, and can’t enjoy the full legal and social rights of Omani citizens. The lack of these rights can limit the sense of belonging or long-term integration of foreign nationals into Omani society.
Conclusion
If you want long-term stability, you should go for Oman’s Permanent Residency program. With this option, you can bring your family, own properties, grow your international career, and retiree peacefully. You just need to meet the eligibility requirements and adhere to the renewal procedure. With proper planning and compliance, Oman's permanent residency opens the door to a prosperous and fulfilling life in a welcoming and dynamic environment. Good luck with becoming an Omani permanent resident.
