New Oman Golden Visa Offers 10-Year Residency for Investors

Oman launches a 10-year golden residency for foreign investors with a reduced OMR 200,000 threshold and seven qualifying investment routes. It expands eligibility to equities, property, employment and family members.

Oman has unveiled a new 10-year Golden Residency program that will benefit foreign investors and entrepreneurs. The initiative, announced in Salalah on August 31, 2025, under the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP), is part of Oman’s economic reforms and Oman Vision 2040. The program lowers the investment threshold and offers long-term stability for investors and their families.

A shift from previous investor residency programs

Oman had earlier offered two investor residency tiers: a five-year permit which required investment of OMR 250,000 and a 10-year permit tied to OMR 500,000 (US$650, 214.5) or the creation of jobs for at least 50 Omani nationals. These programs were limited in scope as they focused mainly on company equity, real estate, or government bonds.

The Golden Residency replaces these tiers with a broader framework. It lowers the entry point to OMR 200,000 (US$520,171.6) and allows seven different investment routes. Its larger ambit now covers company establishment, property, listed shares, bonds, deposits, job creation, and foreign investment law companies.

The seven investment pathways

Investors can qualify for Golden Residency by choosing one of seven routes, each with a minimum capital requirement of OMR 200,000:

• Establishing a company that has operated for at least one year with the applicant’s stake in total assets valued at OMR 200,000 or more;
• Purchasing real estate in Integrated Tourism Complexes (ITCs). It should cover residential, commercial, or tourism units with a valid title deed. If ownership is through a company, a certified final balance sheet is required;
• Holding government development bonds worth at least OMR 200,000 with a minimum maturity of two years;
• Investing in listed equities where the market value of shares meets the OMR 200,000 threshold;
• Placing a fixed deposit of OMR 200,000 or more in a local bank for at least five years;
• Owning a company that employs 50 or more Omani nationals with capital above OMR 200,000; and
• Registering a company under Oman’s foreign investment law, which allows nominations of partners or senior professionals as residency holders.

Lifestyle and business benefits

As per Oman Observer, the Golden Residency holders can avail plethora of benefits and rights, namely:

• Access to fast-track lanes at airports and border crossings;
• Inclusion of first-degree family members without age or number restrictions;
• Rights to own real estate beyond ITC zone, subject to legal limits, with transfer rights;
• Permission to employ up to three domestic workers; and
• Ability to issue visit visas for extended family members.

Residency holders will also have access to the Invest in Oman platform. It is a government-backed service hub for establishing companies and getting licenses with ease in Oman.

Read more: UAE Golden Visa Program: A Gateway to Long-Term Residency

The Elite Companies program for supporting domestic business

Alongside the Golden Residency, MoCIIP launched the Elite Companies program to recognize and support high-performing Omani firms. It has been developed in coordination with the Ministry of Labor, Tax Authority, Royal Oman Police, and the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The scheme classifies companies into three categories based on governance and economic performance.

Eligibility criteria require companies to be legally registered in Oman, employ at least one Omani national, and comply with all the local laws. Evaluation also considers company age, revenue, Omanization levels, export performance, and market presence of the company. The initiative aims to provide incentives so that firms can expand both locally and internationally, and innovate with increased competition.

Outreach and international promotion

To attract global investors, Oman has partnered with Alam Al Hijrah (Migration World), an accredited consultancy with operations in over 60 locations worldwide. The firm will promote the program through digital campaigns and investor summits. They have partnerships with institutions across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

The launch of the Golden Residency and Elite Companies program are happening under Oman’s Vision 2040 agenda. Both measures are designed to diversify the economy beyond hydrocarbons and attract knowledge-intensive industries.

Global competitiveness and quality of life

Oman currently ranks fourth worldwide in the 2024 Quality of Life Index. It is competing with its neighbors, like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, in attracting high-net-worth individuals using similar Golden visa offerings. Golden Residency holders in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) could benefit from amicable business conditions and policies of the government. The new visas also offer a safe environment and access to education and healthcare for their families in the GCC.

In short

The Golden Residency marks a reset in Oman’s investment migration approach. It simplifies entry and adds lifestyle and administrative advantages to the already existing two-tier residency visa program. The Elite Companies initiative complements this by providing recognition for local businesses which can help them with availing credit and venture capital.

Transparent rules and investor trust will be the determining factors for its success. If those hold, Oman could expand its capital base and raise the profile of its private sector.

Read more: Oman: Mandatory Certification for Engineers and Finance Professionals 

(OMR 1 = US$2.6)

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