A Decade In Oman Your Full Residency Guide

Oman has quietly become one of the more accessible residency destinations in the Gulf. The Sultanate relaunched its investor residency scheme in August 2025. Many call it the Golden Visa. Since then, strong interest has poured in from expats and international investors alike. Here is a clear breakdown of how to secure long-term status in Oman.

The Golden Visa Oman's Flagship Residency Route

The Golden Visa is formally known as the Investor Residency Programme. It works as a self-sponsored, renewable residency permit. Holders are not tied to any employer to maintain their status. The programme comes in two tiers based on investment size. A five-year residency requires a minimum investment of OMR 250,000. That figure equals roughly USD 650,000 at current exchange rates. A ten-year residency requires a larger investment of OMR 500,000. That equals approximately USD 1.3 million. It is worth noting that reported thresholds vary across different sources. Some cite a lower entry point around OMR 200,000 for certain property investments. Since the programme relaunched recently, rules can shift as authorities refine it. Prospective applicants should confirm the exact threshold through the official Invest Oman platform.

Ways To Qualify For Investment Based Residency

Applicants are not limited to just one type of asset. Some can even combine pathways to reach the qualifying threshold. Real estate offers one clear route into the programme. This means property within a designated Integrated Tourism Complex. Examples include Al Mouj Muscat, The Wave Muscat, and Muscat Hills. Jebel Sifah and Hawana Salalah also qualify under this pathway.

Government development bonds offer another route to residency. These bonds need at least two years of remaining maturity. They must also be registered directly in the applicant's name. Listed shares and securities present a third pathway option. These holdings must sit on the Muscat Stock Exchange. An official portfolio report is required to verify this holding.

Fixed bank deposits offer a more passive route to residency. The deposit must stay held for a minimum of five years. A certified bank deposit certificate serves as required proof. Business or company shares offer yet another qualifying pathway. This covers ownership in an Omani limited liability company or public joint stock company.

Workforce localisation offers a unique, non-financial pathway to residency. This route suits business owners employing at least fifty Omani nationals. Verification happens through the Social Protection Fund or Ministry of Labour.

What Both Residency Tiers Offer

Both tiers extend unlimited family sponsorship to residency holders. Spouses and children qualify with no age restriction whatsoever. There is also no cap placed on total family size. Holders also face no full-time residence requirement in Oman. You do not need to live there year-round to keep your status valid. Simply retaining the qualifying investment is generally sufficient for renewal. The programme also grants visa-free movement across other Gulf Cooperation Council states. Holders gain access to Oman's growing private healthcare sector too. International schooling options are also available to residency holders and their families.

The Silver Visa A Lower Cost Alternative

Not everyone is ready to commit to the Golden Visa's higher thresholds. Oman also offers a Silver Visa as a lower-cost alternative. Applicants qualify by investing at least OMR 250,000 in an Omani company. Purchasing property worth at least OMR 250,000 also satisfies this requirement. The application fee for this option sits notably lower too. It costs OMR 326, compared to OMR 551 for the Golden Visa.

A Path For Expats Already Working In Oman

Many expats spend years working in Oman before considering retirement there. These workers do not necessarily need to make a fresh investment. An extended residence permit offers a straightforward alternative route. This permit stays valid for five years once granted. It applies to expat workers over the age of 60. Applicants must show a fixed income of at least OMR 4,000 monthly. That figure equals roughly USD 10,400 per month. This route offers a clear path to staying long-term after a working career.

Why The Tax Environment Matters

Oman's tax framework remains a significant draw for long-term residents. There is currently no personal income tax on individual earnings. A modest five percent tax is expected to apply starting in 2028. That tax will only affect high earners above a set income threshold. Most residents will remain completely unaffected by this future change. Oman also does not impose capital gains tax on property sales. There is no inheritance tax either under current rules. This makes Oman an attractive long-term base for preserving wealth.

How Quickly It Moves And Who Is Applying

Golden Visa processing typically takes three to six weeks from a complete application. This makes it one of the faster investor residency programmes in the Gulf. Demand has stayed strong since the programme relaunched last year. Around 56,000 applications have been recorded so far. Roughly 70 percent of those applicants were expats already based in Oman. India, the United Kingdom, and Egypt currently rank as top applicant nationalities. This reflects the programme's broad international appeal across different regions.

This article is for general information and does not replace professional immigration advice. Confirm current thresholds and requirements directly through Oman's official channels before applying.