Expat landowners in Oman have to transfer lands in these areas to Omanis

Energy Tuesday 27/November/2018 11:57 AM
By: Times News Service
Expat landowners in Oman have to transfer lands in these areas to Omanis

Muscat: Non-Omani landowners who own lands in certain areas of the Sultanate, have been given two years to transfer their lands to Omanis or they could face legal action, the Ministry of Housing has announced.

The ministry is working on reaching a settlement with non-Omani land owners and real estate owners who have lands in prohibited areas. As a result, the ministry has also ceased all legal actions with regards to agricultural lands owned by non-Omanis.

In a statement online, the Ministry of Housing called on "All non-Omani land and real estate owners whose properties are located in the prohibition areas as stipulated in Articles 1 and 2 of the Royal Decree No. 2018/29 to conform to the provisions of the law no later than 19 November 2020, after this date, legal procedures will be implemented."

Article 1 of the Royal Decree prohibits non-Omanis from owning land plots and real estate for all its uses in any of the following places:

1. The Governorates of Dhofar, except Salalah, Musandam, Buraimi, Al Dhahirah, and Al Wusta.

2. The wilayats of Shinas, Liwa, and Masirah.

3. Jabal Al Akhdar and Jabal Shams, and any other mountains of strategic importance determined by the competent authorities.

4. Islands.

5. Sites near palaces, and security and military authorities, which are determined by the competent authorities.

6. Archaeological and ancient houses, which are determined by the competent authorities.

"The ministry also announced the suspension of all legal actions in agricultural lands in all governorates of the Sultanate except for Omani citizens, in accordance with the Royal Decree referred to," the Ministry added.