Obtaining citizenship in Oman is a complex process, granted through specific pathways, and applicants must meet various requirements. Our lawyers in Oman specialize in immigration issues and can help you understand the process to make your Omani citizenship application successful.
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Omani Nationality Law
The Omani Nationality Law outlines the rules and regulations related to Omani citizenship and the eligibility criteria for individuals seeking to become citizens. The law provides different pathways for individuals to acquire citizenship in Oman, including by birth, marriage to an Omani citizen, and naturalization. It also outlines specific eligibility criteria for each pathway, such as parentage for citizenship by birth, conditions for foreign spouses to acquire citizenship by marriage, and requirements for naturalization.
The Nationality Law also provides details about dual citizenship in Oman. The country does not allow dual citizenship unless granted by the Royal Decree issued by the Sultan.
Our immigration lawyers in Oman are familiar with the Nationality Law and will ensure your application aligns with the requirements.
Omani citizenship by naturalization
Foreigners can obtain citizenship in Oman through a process known as naturalization. The requirements for this process include:
- Foreigners must have resided in Oman for a specific period, which is generally at least 20 years continuously. However, there is an exception where the residency requirement is reduced to 15 years if the foreigner is married to an Omani woman, and their marriage was approved by the Ministry of Interior. Short trips outside of Oman (up to 60 days a year) do not interrupt the continuous residency period.
- Applicants must be fluent in reading and writing the Arabic language.
- Foreigners must demonstrate good character, and not have been convicted for any serious crimes, particularly those related to trust or honor, even if they were later proven innocent.
- For Omani citizenship, individuals should be in good health and not suffering from contagious diseases.
- Applicants must have a legitimate and stable source of income.
Moreover, we remind applicants are not allowed to have dual citizenship in Oman and, therefore must renounce their other citizenship. If you plan to move to Oman, it is advisable to consult immigration specialists, to respect all requirements.
Application for Omani citizenship
Applications for Omani citizenship will be submitted through the Sultanate’s Ministry of Interior.
If the application is successful and citizenship is granted, the individual must visit the Ministry of Interior to complete the process and obtain an Omani passport.
Newly naturalized citizens of Oman must not spend more than six months abroad, during the first ten years after acquiring citizenship. The only exception is by obtaining a permit from the Ministry of Interior.
Please note the Ministry of Interior has the authority to reject citizenship applications without the obligation to provide a specific justification.
Our team can give you more specific details if you wish to immigrate to Oman. We also guide individuals looking for an Omani visa for Italian citizens.
Statistics about immigration in Oman
Foreigners interested in learning more about immigration in Oman can find these statistics useful. They refer to the country’s population and the proportion of foreign nationals:
- As of November 2018, 44% of Oman’s population were foreigners;
- As of mid-2017, Indian and Bangladeshi nationals together totaled approximately 72.3 percent of all resident expatriates;
- Egyptians comprised around 2.3 percent of all foreign nationals in Oman as of mid-2017;
- In 2017, expatriates made up a substantial 81 percent of the total workforce across all sectors in Oman.
If you are interested in learning more about Omani citizenship, please contact our immigration lawyers. We can also assist in other legal matters, such as company formation in Oman.