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The Oman Golden Visa offers foreign investors a pathway to long-term residency through real estate investments starting at OMR 250,000 (~$650,000). This program provides 5- or 10-year renewable permits that allow you and your family to live, work, and study in Oman without local sponsorship requirements.
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The Oman Golden Visa requires a minimum real estate investment of OMR 250,000 for a 5-year visa or OMR 500,000 for a 10-year visa. Properties must be located in designated zones and registered in the applicant's name.
The program includes immediate family members and offers renewable residency permits, though it does not provide a direct pathway to citizenship or permanent residency.
| Investment Route | 5-Year Visa Amount | 10-Year Visa Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Real Estate | OMR 250,000 (~$650,000) | OMR 500,000 (~$1.3M) |
| Business/Company | OMR 250,000 (~$650,000) | OMR 500,000 (~$1.3M) |
| Government Bonds | OMR 250,000 (~$650,000) | OMR 500,000 (~$1.3M) |
| Job Creation | Not Available | OMR 500,000 + 50 jobs |
| Family Inclusion | Spouse, children under 25, parents | Spouse, children under 25, parents |
| Processing Time | 1-2 months | 1-2 months |
| Renewal | Yes, if conditions maintained | Yes, if conditions maintained |
What exactly is the Oman Golden Visa and who can apply for it?
The Oman Golden Visa is a long-term residency program that grants 5- or 10-year renewable permits to foreign investors who make substantial investments in Oman's economy.
This residency permit allows you and your family to live, work, and study in Oman without requiring local sponsorship, which is a significant advantage compared to traditional visa arrangements. As of September 2025, the program specifically targets investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, and retirees who can contribute to Oman's economic development.
To qualify for the Oman Golden Visa, you must be at least 21 years old with a valid passport, demonstrate good health through medical certificates, provide a clean criminal record from your home country, and prove financial solvency. The program accepts applicants from all nationalities, making it accessible to global investors seeking Middle Eastern residency.
The key differentiator of this program is that it eliminates the traditional sponsorship system, giving you more independence and flexibility in managing your residency status in Oman.
Does Oman offer residency through investment, and what are the main options?
Yes, Oman offers residency through investment with four distinct pathways designed to attract different types of investors and capital.
The real estate investment route requires purchasing approved residential or commercial property worth at least OMR 250,000 for a 5-year visa or OMR 500,000 for a 10-year visa. Properties must be located in designated investment zones such as Integrated Tourism Complexes in Muscat or Salalah.
The business or company investment route involves investing the same minimum amounts (OMR 250,000 or OMR 500,000) in an Omani company, with a minimum shareholding requirement of 25%. Preferred sectors include information technology, tourism, renewable energy, and other government-approved industries that align with Oman's economic diversification goals.
Government bonds or bank deposits represent the third option, where you place funds in long-term financial instruments with Omani banks or government institutions for the same minimum investment thresholds. The job creation pathway requires establishing a business that employs at least 50 Omani nationals and is only available for the 10-year visa option with an OMR 500,000 investment.
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What type of real estate qualifies for the Golden Visa program?
Only specific types of real estate investments qualify for the Oman Golden Visa, and these must be located within government-designated zones.
Qualifying properties include residential developments such as apartments, villas, and townhouses within Integrated Tourism Complexes (ITCs) in major cities like Muscat and Salalah. Commercial real estate including office buildings, retail spaces, and mixed-use developments in approved investment zones also qualify for the program.
The property must be registered directly in your name and cannot be held through nominee arrangements or complex ownership structures. Mixed real estate investments can qualify if the combined value meets the minimum threshold requirements of OMR 250,000 for a 5-year visa or OMR 500,000 for a 10-year visa.
Crucially, the real estate must be located within zones specifically designated for foreign ownership, which primarily include tourism-focused developments and select urban commercial areas. Properties outside these designated zones will not qualify regardless of their value or type.
What are the business investment requirements and eligible sectors?
The business investment route requires a minimum investment of OMR 250,000 for a 5-year visa or OMR 500,000 for a 10-year visa, with a mandatory minimum shareholding of 25% in the company.
Eligible sectors prioritized by the Oman government include information technology and digital services, tourism and hospitality, renewable energy projects, manufacturing and industrial development, healthcare and medical services, education and training, and logistics and transportation. These sectors align with Oman Vision 2040 and the country's economic diversification strategy.
The investment must be in either a new company establishment or acquisition of shares in an existing Omani company. The business must demonstrate genuine commercial activity and cannot be a shell company created solely for visa purposes. Companies must comply with Omani commercial laws and maintain proper accounting records and business operations.
You can invest in multiple smaller businesses to reach the minimum threshold, provided each investment is legitimate and the combined shareholding meets the 25% minimum requirement across your portfolio.
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How long is the Golden Visa valid and can it be renewed?
The Oman Golden Visa is issued for either 5 or 10 years depending on your investment amount, and it is fully renewable as long as you maintain the qualifying investment.
The 5-year visa requires a minimum investment of OMR 250,000 across any qualifying investment route, while the 10-year visa requires OMR 500,000. Both visa types can be renewed indefinitely, provided you continue to meet the investment requirements and maintain good standing with Omani authorities.
Renewal applications must be submitted before the current visa expires, and you must demonstrate that your qualifying investment remains active and compliant with program requirements. For real estate investments, this means maintaining ownership of the property, while business investments require proof of continued operations and shareholding.
The renewal process typically takes 1-2 months and requires updated documentation including health certificates, criminal clearance, and proof of continued investment. As of September 2025, there is no limit on the number of times you can renew your Golden Visa.
Can family members be included in the Golden Visa application?
Yes, the Oman Golden Visa allows you to include immediate family members under a single application without additional investment requirements.
Eligible family members include your spouse, children under the age of 25 (regardless of marital status), and dependent parents who rely on you financially. This family inclusion benefit applies to both the 5-year and 10-year visa options without requiring separate investments for each family member.
All included family members receive the same residency rights as the primary applicant, including the ability to live, work, and study in Oman for the full duration of the visa. Children can attend local schools and universities, while spouses can work or establish businesses without additional sponsorship requirements.
Family members must provide standard documentation including passports, health certificates, and relationship proof through marriage certificates or birth certificates. The total visa fees will include charges for each family member, but the investment threshold remains the same regardless of family size.
What are the step-by-step application procedures?
The Oman Golden Visa application process follows a structured six-step procedure that typically takes 1-2 months from start to finish.
Step 1 involves conducting an eligibility check and gathering required documents including your passport, proof of funds, health records, criminal clearance certificates, and investment documentation. Step 2 requires executing your chosen investment by completing real estate purchases, establishing business operations, or making financial deposits before submitting your application.
Step 3 involves submitting your complete application to the Ministry of Commerce and Investment Promotion or through authorized consultants who specialize in Golden Visa applications. Step 4 covers the review and approval process, where authorities verify your documentation and investment compliance over 1-2 months.
Step 5 includes visa issuance and collection, where you pay the relevant fees for yourself and any dependents before receiving your residency permits. Step 6 involves ongoing compliance, requiring you to maintain your qualifying investment and renew your visa before expiration to ensure continuous residency status.
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What documents and conditions must applicants meet?
Applicants must provide comprehensive documentation and meet specific conditions to qualify for the Oman Golden Visa program.
Required documents include a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity, criminal record certificates from your home country and any country where you've resided for more than 6 months in the past 5 years, health certificates from approved medical facilities, and complete financial documentation proving the source and legality of your investment funds.
Investment-specific documentation varies by route but includes property deeds and valuation certificates for real estate investments, company registration documents and shareholding certificates for business investments, or bank statements and deposit confirmations for financial investments. For family applications, you must provide marriage certificates for spouses and birth certificates for children.
Applicants must demonstrate financial solvency beyond the minimum investment amount, showing sufficient funds to support themselves and their families in Oman. All foreign documents must be properly authenticated through apostille or embassy legalization and translated into Arabic by certified translators where required.
Is there a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship?
No, the Oman Golden Visa does not currently offer a direct pathway to permanent residency or citizenship, regardless of how long you maintain your investment or residency status.
The Golden Visa provides renewable long-term residency that can be maintained indefinitely as long as you continue to meet the investment requirements and comply with program conditions. However, this remains a temporary residency status that requires periodic renewal rather than leading to permanent settlement rights.
As of September 2025, Oman has not established any investor immigration program that leads to citizenship or permanent residency. The Golden Visa is designed as a long-term renewable residency solution rather than a pathway to naturalization, which remains governed by separate and more restrictive citizenship laws.
For those seeking permanent status, the focus should be on the renewable nature of the Golden Visa and the long-term stability it provides for business and family life in Oman rather than expectations of permanent residency or citizenship opportunities.
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What feedback do successful Golden Visa holders provide?
Successful Oman Golden Visa holders consistently highlight the program's business-friendly features and family benefits as major advantages.
Most approved applicants report significant benefits including full business ownership rights without local partner requirements, unrestricted property ownership rights in designated freehold zones, various tax exemptions and business incentives, and streamlined access to healthcare and education services for their families.
Many holders appreciate the elimination of traditional sponsorship requirements, which provides greater independence and flexibility compared to other Gulf countries' residency programs. The ability to include extended family members under one application receives particularly positive feedback from investors with larger families.
Successful applicants also note the relatively straightforward renewal process and the stability that multi-year residency provides for long-term business planning and family settlement. The program's alignment with Oman's business-friendly environment and growing economy contributes to overall satisfaction among Golden Visa holders.
What are the most common reasons for application rejections?
Application rejections typically stem from documentation issues and failure to meet investment or eligibility requirements rather than discriminatory factors.
The most common rejection reason is insufficient or incorrectly documented investment evidence, where applicants fail to provide proper proof of fund sources, property valuations, or business registration documents. Criminal record issues or failed background checks represent the second most frequent rejection cause, particularly for applicants with undisclosed criminal history or questionable backgrounds.
Failure to prove the legal source of investment funds leads to many rejections, especially when applicants cannot demonstrate how they acquired the necessary capital or when fund transfers appear suspicious to authorities. Health requirement failures, while less common, occur when applicants have serious medical conditions or submit fraudulent medical certificates.
Investment-related rejections happen when properties are located outside designated zones, when business investments are in prohibited sectors, or when the actual investment amount falls short of minimum requirements despite initial documentation suggesting compliance.
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Conclusion
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are advised to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We do not assume any liability for actions taken based on the information provided.
The Oman Golden Visa represents a significant opportunity for investors seeking Middle Eastern residency through real estate or business investments. With minimum investment requirements starting at OMR 250,000 and the ability to include family members, this program offers a structured pathway to long-term residency in a strategically located and economically growing nation.
While the program does not lead to citizenship, its renewable nature and business-friendly benefits make it attractive for investors focused on regional expansion and family settlement. Success depends heavily on proper documentation, compliance with investment requirements, and choosing qualified properties or businesses within approved sectors and zones.