Applying for Omani Citizenship in 2025: Everything You Need to Know

Recently, the Sultanate of Oman gave citizenship to 156 expatriates. This move came after Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik issued a new royal decree. In February, Oman introduced a revised version of its nationality law, which includes updated rules for foreigners who want to become Omani citizens.

This new law replaces the previous 2014 citizenship law. It matches the current constitutional values of the country, as stated in the Basic Law of the State. The goal is to protect Oman’s national identity while also welcoming individuals who positively contribute to the country’s growth.

Oman’s new citizenship law is designed to be fair, clear, and in line with the country’s modern values. It balances national interest with the need to welcome and reward foreigners who are loyal and helpful to the country. By updating its laws, Oman is making sure its national identity is protected while allowing room for positive growth and diversity.

READ MORE: France Work Visa Options for Pakistanis: Easy Guide 2025

Who is Considered an Omani Citizenship?

According to the new law, anyone born to an Omani father is considered an Omani citizen. This applies whether the child is born inside Oman or in another country, as long as it happened before the law was passed.

The law also allows certain grandchildren of Omanis—who got their citizenship by grant—to become citizens. However, the grandchild must be at least 50 years old.

In cases where someone is born to an Omani father but does not have any nationality (stateless), they can still get Omani citizenship. It doesn’t matter what the mother’s nationality is. This shows Oman’s effort to prevent people from becoming stateless.

Rules About Dual Nationality and Giving Up Citizenship

Generally, Oman does not allow dual nationality. This means a person cannot be a citizen of Oman and another country at the same time. However, there are some exceptions. In special cases, the Sultan can allow dual citizenship based on advice from the Minister of Interior.

If someone wants to give up their Omani citizenship, they must get approval from the Minister of Interior. They must also fulfill all their responsibilities to the state before leaving their citizenship behind.

If a father gives up his Omani citizenship, his minor children will still be considered Omani citizens—unless he asks otherwise and the foreign country’s law agrees with it.

How Citizenship is Given, Taken Away, or Returned

All decisions related to giving, canceling, or returning citizenship are made by royal decree. This ensures that these important decisions go through the highest level of review.

The Sultan can also make exceptions to the rules. For example, someone might get citizenship even if they don’t meet all the usual requirements, as long as a royal decree allows it.

Anyone who receives or gets back Omani citizenship will enjoy full civil rights starting from the date the royal decree takes effect.

How Citizenship Can Be Lost or Taken Away

The law clearly lists reasons that can lead to a person losing their Omani citizenship:

• If an Omani citizen gets another nationality without permission from the government, they automatically lose their Omani citizenship.
• If someone got Omani citizenship through marriage, but the marriage ends before five years or if they remarry a non-Omani, they may lose it.
• If a person acts in a way that harms Oman, such as insulting the country, joining hostile groups, working for enemy governments, or committing serious crimes, their citizenship can be taken away.
• If someone got citizenship through dishonest means, or they live outside of Oman for a long time without a valid reason, their citizenship can be withdrawn.
• However, if the reasons for taking away the citizenship no longer exist, the person may be able to get it back.

Getting Citizenship Back After Giving It Up

Omanis who gave up their citizenship and took another nationality can ask to get it back. But they must meet a few conditions:

• They must either live in Oman or return with the intention to settle there.
• They should have good behavior and no recent criminal record.
• They must write a declaration saying they want to give up their foreign nationality.
• If a father gets his citizenship back, his minor children also become citizens again.

Also, if a child lost their citizenship because their father gave his up, they can apply to get it back within five years after turning 18.

How Foreigners Can Become Omani Citizens

Foreigners who want to become Omani citizens must follow strict rules. These include:

• Living legally in Oman for at least 15 continuous years. They can leave Oman, but only for up to 90 days each year.
• Being able to read and write Arabic. This helps them better understand the culture and communicate well in society.
• Having a clean criminal record and showing good behavior.
• Being in good health and free from infectious diseases.
• Having a stable and legal income that is enough to support themselves and their family.
• Promising in writing that they will give up their previous nationality.

If a child is born in Oman or lives in Oman and their father is Omani, they can also become a citizen.

Citizenship Through Family Connections

The new law also gives ways for people to get citizenship through their family:

• A foreign man married to an Omani woman can apply for citizenship after 10 years of marriage and living in Oman. They must also have a child from the marriage.
• A foreign woman married to an Omani man can apply after 8 years of marriage and residency, but only if they have a child and meet the language and conduct requirements.
• Widows and divorced foreign spouses of Omani citizens can also apply. However, they must meet certain residency and behavior standards.
• Children born to Omani mothers and foreign fathers can become citizens if they live in Oman and the father is either divorced, missing, or has passed away.

Laws to Prevent Citizenship Fraud

To protect the citizenship process, Oman has introduced strict punishments for those who lie or provide false documents during their application.

If someone is caught giving false information to get citizenship, they could face:

• Up to three years in jail.
• A fine between 5,000 and 10,000 Omani rials.
• Or in some cases, both jail time and a fine.

READ MORE: Pakistan Visa Free Countries: A Complete Guide for Pakistani Travelers