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Oman offers attractive investor visa programs that grant long-term residency to foreign investors willing to make substantial investments in real estate, business ventures, or government bonds.
As of June 2025, these programs provide 5-year or 10-year renewable residency permits depending on investment amounts, with minimum thresholds starting at OMR 250,000 (approximately USD 650,000) for real estate investments. The Omani investor visa system does not lead to citizenship but offers a stable pathway for families seeking Middle Eastern residency with excellent infrastructure and strategic location.
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Oman provides two main investor visa tiers: 5-year residency for OMR 250,000 investments and 10-year residency for OMR 500,000 investments in real estate, business, or government bonds.
The program allows family sponsorship and is renewable indefinitely, but does not offer a pathway to Omani citizenship or permanent residency.
| Investment Route | Minimum Amount | Residency Duration | Family Inclusion | Renewal Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Investment | OMR 250,000 - 500,000 | 5-10 years | Yes | Every 5-10 years |
| Business Investment | OMR 250,000 - 500,000 | 5-10 years | Yes | Every 5-10 years |
| Government Bonds | OMR 250,000 - 500,000 | 5-10 years | Yes | Every 5-10 years |
| Retiree Program | OMR 4,000/month income | 5 years | Limited | Every 5 years |
| Employment Creation | 50+ Omani employees | 10 years | Yes | Every 10 years |
What types of investor visas are available in Oman right now?
Oman offers three main investor visa categories as of June 2025.
The first is the Golden Visa program, which provides 5-year or 10-year renewable residency permits for investors meeting specific financial thresholds. The second option is the business investor route, designed for entrepreneurs establishing companies that employ Omani nationals. The third pathway is the retiree residency program, targeting expatriates with fixed monthly income streams.
Each program requires different investment amounts and documentation, but all provide renewable long-term residency without leading to citizenship. The Golden Visa represents the most popular choice for real estate investors, while the business route appeals to entrepreneurs planning to operate companies in Oman.
Real estate investors typically choose between the 5-year program requiring OMR 250,000 minimum investment or the 10-year program requiring OMR 500,000. These amounts can include multiple properties combined to meet the threshold.
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Does Oman have a Golden Visa or Citizenship by Investment program?
Oman operates a Golden Visa program but does not offer citizenship by investment.
The Omani Golden Visa provides renewable long-term residency for investors and their families, with validity periods of 5 or 10 years depending on investment amounts. This program attracts foreign capital while maintaining strict citizenship requirements that do not include investment pathways.
The Golden Visa program launched as part of Oman's economic diversification strategy, targeting investors in real estate, business ventures, and government securities. Unlike some Gulf neighbors, Oman has not introduced citizenship by investment options, focusing instead on renewable residency permits.
Investors can maintain their Golden Visa indefinitely through continued compliance with investment requirements and regular renewals. The program includes family sponsorship rights, allowing spouses, children, and sometimes extended family members to obtain residency.
As we reach mid-2025, the Golden Visa remains the primary long-term residency option for foreign investors, with no announced plans for citizenship by investment programs.
How does the investor residency program work step by step?
The Omani investor residency process follows a structured six-step approach.
First, investors must choose their investment route among real estate purchase, business establishment, or government bond investment. Second, they gather required documentation including passport copies, investment proof, medical certificates, and police clearance. Third, they submit applications through the Royal Oman Police or authorized agents with endorsement from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion.
Fourth, applicants undergo medical examinations and security background checks conducted by Omani authorities. Fifth, successful applicants receive approval notifications and complete final processing requirements. Sixth, they obtain their residency cards and entry visas, allowing immediate relocation to Oman.
The entire process typically takes 2-4 months from initial application to residency card issuance, depending on documentation completeness and background check duration. Most investors use local consultants or legal firms to navigate the application process efficiently.
Processing fees include OMR 250 for 5-year permits and OMR 500 for 10-year permits, plus additional charges for medical examinations, document translation, and agent services if used.
What are the eligibility requirements and minimum investment amounts?
| Tier Level | Investment Amount | Residency Duration | Additional Requirements | Employment Obligation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier Two | OMR 250,000 | 5 years | Age 21+, clean record | None for real estate |
| Tier One | OMR 500,000 | 10 years | Age 21+, clean record | None for real estate |
| Business Route | Variable capital | 10 years | 50+ Omani employees | Mandatory hiring |
| Retiree Program | OMR 4,000/month | 5 years | Age 55+, fixed income | None |
| Government Bonds | OMR 250,000-500,000 | 5-10 years | Age 21+, clean record | None |
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Is there a real estate investment route and what are the requirements?
Oman offers a dedicated real estate investment route for investor visas with specific property requirements.
Foreign investors can qualify for 5-year residency by purchasing property worth at least OMR 250,000 or 10-year residency with OMR 500,000 investments. Properties must be located in designated areas or Integrated Tourism Complexes for certain programs, though residential properties in major cities generally qualify.
Multiple properties can be combined to meet investment thresholds, allowing investors to diversify their real estate portfolios across different locations or property types. However, residency remains tied to property ownership, meaning visa cancellation may occur if properties are sold below minimum thresholds.
Eligible property types include residential apartments, villas, commercial real estate, and plots in approved developments. Properties in Muscat, Salalah, and designated tourism zones typically qualify, while some remote areas may require additional approvals.
As of June 2025, the real estate route represents the most popular investor visa pathway, with property values in key markets like Muscat continuing to appreciate steadily.
Can I include my family and what are the dependent rules?
Omani investor visas allow comprehensive family sponsorship with recent rule expansions.
Primary investors can sponsor spouses, children, and sometimes extended family members for residency under the same permit. Recent reforms in 2024 removed previous age restrictions on adult children, allowing them to maintain residency as long as the primary investment is maintained.
Sponsored family members receive the same residency duration as the primary investor, with rights to live, work, and study in Oman. Spouses can establish businesses or seek employment, while children can attend local schools and universities.
Extended family sponsorship may be available for parents or siblings in specific circumstances, though this typically requires additional documentation and approval. Family members must undergo the same medical and security checks as primary applicants.
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How long does the investor visa last and can it be renewed?
Omani investor visas provide 5-year or 10-year validity periods with unlimited renewal options.
Tier Two investors receive 5-year permits renewable every five years, while Tier One investors obtain 10-year permits renewable every decade. Renewal requires proof of continued investment compliance and payment of renewal fees matching initial processing costs.
Renewal applications must be submitted before expiration to avoid fines and potential residency interruption. The process typically takes 4-6 weeks and requires updated medical certificates, police clearance, and investment verification documents.
As long as investors maintain minimum investment thresholds and comply with residency requirements, renewals are generally straightforward and automatic. Many investors have successfully renewed their permits multiple times since the program's inception.
Renewal fees remain at OMR 250 for 5-year extensions and OMR 500 for 10-year extensions, unchanged since program launch.
Is there a path from investor visa to permanent residency or citizenship?
Oman does not provide automatic pathways from investor visas to permanent residency or citizenship.
While Oman offers separate permanent residency applications, these are not connected to investor visa programs and require independent evaluation based on different criteria. The investor visa system is designed for renewable long-term residency rather than permanent settlement.
Permanent residency applications in Oman typically require extensive local ties, employment history, and community integration that extends beyond investment requirements. These applications are evaluated case-by-case without guaranteed outcomes.
Citizenship by investment is not available in Oman, and naturalization requires decades of continuous residency, Arabic language proficiency, and cultural integration that few foreign investors achieve. The government maintains strict citizenship requirements focused on cultural assimilation rather than economic contribution.
Most investors view the renewable visa system as effectively permanent residency, given the unlimited renewal options available through continued investment compliance.
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What business sectors are eligible for the business investor route?
Omani business investor visas accept investments across most economic sectors with specific restrictions.
Eligible sectors include manufacturing, information technology, renewable energy, tourism, logistics, education, healthcare, and financial services. Free zones and Special Economic Zones offer 100% foreign ownership opportunities in these sectors, making business establishment more straightforward for international investors.
Restricted sectors requiring special approval or Omani partnership include oil and gas, defense, security, banking, telecommunications, and media. These industries typically require additional licenses and regulatory compliance that can complicate the visa application process.
The business route requires employing at least 50 Omani nationals, which can be challenging for startups or small businesses. Many investors find this employment requirement more burdensome than the real estate investment route, leading to lower adoption rates.
Successful business investors often choose sectors like technology consulting, tourism services, or manufacturing, where hiring requirements align with natural business growth patterns rather than artificial obligations.
What documents and steps are needed for a complete application?
Omani investor visa applications require comprehensive documentation across multiple categories.
Personal documents include valid passports, passport photographs, birth certificates, marriage certificates for family applications, and educational credentials. Legal documents require police clearance certificates from home countries, translated and authenticated through Omani consulates.
Investment documents include property deeds or purchase agreements for real estate routes, business registration certificates for company investments, bank statements proving fund sources, and partnership agreements if applicable. Medical documentation requires health certificates from approved medical centers and comprehensive health insurance coverage.
Application steps begin with document preparation and translation, followed by initial submission to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion for investment approval. Next, applicants submit complete packages to the Royal Oman Police for residency processing, undergo medical examinations and background checks, and receive final approval and residency card issuance.
Processing typically takes 8-12 weeks from complete submission to residency card receipt, with additional time required for document preparation and translation.
What experiences do other applicants report about the process?
Applicant experiences with Omani investor visas vary significantly based on preparation and professional assistance.
Successful applicants consistently report that using local consultants or legal firms dramatically improves application efficiency and success rates. Many emphasize the importance of complete documentation preparation before submission, as incomplete applications face significant delays.
Common challenges include understanding employment requirements for business routes, with some investors struggling to hire 50 Omani nationals before generating sufficient revenue. Documentation translation and authentication also create delays, particularly for applicants from countries without streamlined consular services.
Positive experiences typically involve real estate investors working through established developers in Integrated Tourism Complexes, where application support is often included in property purchases. Free zone investments also receive favorable reviews due to simplified business registration processes.
Recent applicants note improved processing times and clearer requirements compared to the program's early years, with government portals providing better guidance and status tracking capabilities.
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Where can I apply and get official guidance for this process?
Omani investor visa applications are processed through multiple government agencies with dedicated online portals.
The Royal Oman Police operates the primary visa application portal at rop.gov.om, handling residency permit submissions and renewals. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion provides business registration and investment approval services through their online platform.
Invest Oman (investoman.om) serves as the official information hub for investor residency programs, offering detailed guidance, requirement explanations, and application forms. This portal provides the most current information about program changes and requirements.
For real estate investments, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning provides property registration services, while free zone authorities handle applications within their jurisdictions. Each free zone maintains separate application processes with dedicated support staff.
Many applicants find success working with licensed immigration consultants or law firms specializing in investor visas, particularly for complex business investments or family applications requiring extensive documentation.
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.
Oman's investor visa program offers attractive long-term residency options for foreign investors willing to make substantial commitments in real estate, business, or government securities.
While the program does not lead to citizenship, the renewable nature and family inclusion make it an appealing option for those seeking Middle Eastern residency with modern infrastructure and strategic location advantages.
Sources
- Invest Oman - Investor Residency
- AER Oman - Residency by Investment
- Chambers and Partners - Investor Visas in Oman
- Mawaleh - Guide to Investor Visa in Oman
- Absomann - Oman Golden Visa
- Oman Tax Free Zones - Golden Visa Oman
- Bayat Group - Oman Residency Investment
- Mirabello Consultancy - Oman Golden Visa
- Oman Visa - Investor Visa
- Government of Oman - Renew Investor Visa