MUSCAT : Earlier this week, His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik issued Royal Decree No. 49/2025 granting Omani citizenship to 156 people, in accordance with the Omani Nationality Law.

The guide below outlines the key terms and conditions for expatriates seeking Omani citizenship, based on the nationality law issued by Royal Decree No. 17/2025 in February.

General Provisions
• Applications must be submitted to the Ministry of Interior, which reviews and decides on applications.
• Rejection: The Ministry may reject applications without providing reasons.
• Judicial Exclusion: Courts are not authorized to rule on citizenship matters.
• Dual Nationality is not allowed, except by Royal Decree.
• Granting or revoking citizenship is only done through Royal Decree, upon the Minister’s recommendation.
• Exceptional cases may bypass standard requirements by Royal Decree.
• Civil rights apply to new citizens from the date of the Decree.

Under the new law, a person is considered an original Omani if they are:
• Born in Oman or abroad to an original Omani father.
• Are grandchildren of Omani citizens (by grant), if aged 50+.
• Born to an Omani or foreign mother if the father was Omani and became stateless.

The law also states that an Omani is also considered to be:
• Anyone granted Omani citizenship under this law.
• Anyone born in Oman or abroad to an Omani mother whose lineage to a father is not legally proven.
• Anyone born in Oman to unknown parents.

An original Omani who renounced citizenship may apply for reinstatement if they:
• Reside in or return to Oman and declare intent to settle.
• Are of good conduct and not convicted of major crimes.
• Declare intent to renounce other nationalities.
• Minor children regain citizenship if their father’s is reinstated.
• A child may also apply independently within 5 years of reaching majority age.

General Requirements for Foreign Applicants:
To apply, an individual must:
• Reside in Oman legally and continuously for 15 years.
• Be proficient in Arabic (reading and writing).
• Be of good conduct.
• Not convicted of serious crimes.
• Be medically fit and free from contagious diseases.
• Have a legitimate income.
• Renounce all other nationalities in writing.
• Minor children acquire citizenship if born in Oman or reside there ordinarily at the time of father’s acquisition.

Citizenship Through Marriage
Foreign Husband of Omani Woman:
• Must have been married for 10 years and lived in Oman.
• Must have a child from the marriage.
• Meet all general requirements (Arabic proficiency, conduct, income, health, etc.).

Foreign Wife of Omani Man:
• Married for 8 years, residing in Oman.
• Must have a child from the marriage.
• Proficient in spoken Arabic, and meet all other conditions.

Foreign Widow of Omani Man:
• Widowed for 6 years, residing in Oman.
• Has a child from the marriage.
• Not remarried to a non-Omani.
• Proficient in spoken Arabic, and meets all other conditions.

Foreign Divorcee of Omani Man:
• Marriage lasted at least 8 years before divorce.
• Resided in Oman and has a child from the marriage.
• Not remarried to a non-Omani.
• Must meet all conditions including Arabic, income, and medical fitness.

Citizenship for Children of Omani Mothers

Children may be granted Omani citizenship if:
• The mother is widowed, divorced, or the husband is missing for 10+ years.
• A court has awarded her custody.
• The child has resided legally in Oman for 5 or 10 years, depending on circumstances.
• Meets moral and legal conditions.
• Has guardian’s written consent and will renounce all other citizenships.

Loss, Revocation, and Withdrawal of Citizenship
• Loss of citizenship occurs automatically if an Omani acquires another nationality illegally.
• If marriage to Omani spouse ends within 5 years of citizenship grant.
• If individual acquired it by fraud, is convicted of state security crimes, and lives abroad for over 2 years without justification.

Revocation of Original Citizenship:
• If the person Insults Oman or the Sultan.
• Belongs to groups acting against Oman’s interest.
• Works for hostile or foreign entities without authorization.

Revoked citizenship may be reinstated if the reasons cease.

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