Who can become an Omani citizen?

To become an Omani citizen, an applicant must meet specific requirements and follow the procedures established by law. Speaking exclusively to the Times of Oman, a representative of Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm, a leading law office in Oman, explained that applicants must fulfill strict eligibility criteria based on their category.

For general foreigners, this includes legally residing in Oman for at least 15 consecutive years, fluency in reading and writing Arabic, proof of good conduct, a stable income, and a formal renunciation of any existing foreign nationality.

Spouses of Omani citizens follow different rules. A foreign husband of an Omani woman must have been married for at least 10 years, have at least one child with his spouse, and meet the residency and language requirements. A foreign wife of an Omani man must demonstrate eight years of marriage, have one child, and be fluent in spoken Arabic, said Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Zadjali, Founding Partner of Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm.

Widows and divorcees of Omani nationals have shorter residency requirements (six years for widows, eight years for divorcees), provided they have a child from the marriage and have not remarried a non-Omani. Children of Omani mothers may also qualify under specific circumstances involving custody and residency, the founding partner said.

Another spokesperson from the law firm explained that applicants for Omani citizenship must provide various documents, including proof of residency, marriage or birth certificates, health clearance, income statements, and a written pledge to renounce other nationalities. These documents are submitted to the Ministry of Interior, which holds full authority over decisions and is not obligated to provide reasons for rejection.

Citizenship matters are handled solely by the Ministry and cannot be challenged in Court. Approval is granted by Royal Decree, based on the recommendation of the Minister of Interior. Dual citizenship is rarely permitted. Once approved, citizenship is permanent unless revoked for fraud or national security concerns. Children automatically qualify through their Omani father, the expert said.

(Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm ([email protected]), (+968 244 87 600) was established 18 years ago and is serving clients through its offices in Muscat and Sohar, as well as operating on a request basis in other areas. It offers legal representation across a wide range of practice areas that include Labour Law, Corporate, Commercial, Contracts, Banking and Finance, International Trade, Foreign Investment, Insurance, Maritime Law, Construction and Engineering Contracts, International Arbitration, Intellectual Property and more).