Details of Oman’s New Citizenship Law 2025 – Regulations, Conditions and Key Changes

On February 2, 2025, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq issued Royal Decree No. (17/2025), approving Oman’s new citizenship law. This law replaces the previous legislation from 2014 and establishes a new framework for citizenship in the Sultanate.

Below are the full details of the law.

Continuous or uninterrupted residence means that an individual should not be outside Oman for more than 90 days in a year.

Key Requirements for Obtaining Omani Citizenship

🔹 Eligibility Criteria for Foreign Nationals (Article 17):

A foreign national may apply for Omani citizenship if they meet the following conditions

• ✅ Must have resided lawfully and continuously in Oman for a minimum of 15 years (an absence of up to 90 days per year will not break the continuity of residence).
• ✅ Must be proficient in reading and writing Arabic.
• ✅ Must have good conduct and behavior.
• ✅ Must not have been previously convicted of a felony or any crime of dishonor or breach of trust, even if their reputation has been restored.
• ✅ Must be in good health and free from infectious diseases, as stipulated in the regulations.
• ✅ Must have a legitimate source of income sufficient to support themselves and their dependents.
• ✅ Must declare in writing their intention to renounce their current nationality and confirm that they do not hold the nationality of any other country except the one they are renouncing.
• ✅ Minor children will acquire Omani nationality based on their father’s nationality, provided they were born in Oman or their usual residence is in Oman.

🔹 Special Conditions for Spouses

📌 Citizenship for Foreign Spouses of Omani Nationals

🔹 Foreign Wife of an Omani Man (Article 19):

A foreign woman married to an Omani man may apply for citizenship if:

• ✅ They have been married for at least 8 years and have continuously resided in Oman. (This period was five years in the previous 2014 law)
• ✅ They have at least one child together.
• ✅ She is fluent in spoken Arabic.
• ✅ She has a clean criminal record and good conduct.
• ✅ She renounces her foreign nationality.

🔹 Foreign Husband of an Omani Woman (Article 18):

A foreign man married to an Omani woman may apply for citizenship if:

• ✅ They have been married for at least 10 years and have continuously resided in Oman.
• ✅ They have at least one child together.
• ✅ He meets all the general eligibility requirements in Article 17 (language proficiency, behavior, health, and renouncing previous nationality).

🔹 Special Conditions for Widows and Divorced Women

🔹 Widowed or Divorced Foreign Woman of an Omani National (Articles 20 and 21):

✅ If widowed, she must have resided in Oman for at least 6 years after her husband’s death.

✅ If divorced, she must have been married to the Omani national for at least 8 years before the divorce.
✅ She must have at least one child with her Omani spouse.

✅ She must meet all general eligibility requirements (Article 17) regarding language, behavior, health, and renunciation of previous nationality.

🔹 Special Conditions for Minor Children (Article 22)

Children born to an Omani mother and a foreign father may be granted Omani nationality under specific conditions:

• ✅ The mother must be widowed or divorced for at least 5 years, or her husband must have been absent or abandoned her for at least 10 years (proven by a court ruling).
• ✅ The mother must have legal custody of the child.
• ✅ The child must have resided continuously in Oman for at least 5 years (if the mother is widowed or divorced) or 10 years (if the father is absent or has abandoned them).
• ✅ The child must have good conduct and behavior.
• ✅ The child must have no prior felony convictions or crimes of dishonor or breach of trust.
• ✅ The minor’s legal guardian (if any) must provide written consent for obtaining Omani nationality.

Cases Leading to Loss of Omani Citizenship under the 2025 Law

• 🔴 Acquiring another nationality without official approval will lead to automatic revocation of Omani citizenship.
• 🔴 Individuals who obtained Omani citizenship through falsified documents will have their nationality revoked.
• 🔴 Conviction for crimes related to national security will result in loss of citizenship.
• 🔴 Living outside Oman for over 24 consecutive months without justification will lead to citizenship forfeiture.
• 🔴 Foreign spouses who remarry a non-Omani after divorcing an Omani citizen will lose their nationality.
• 🔴 As per Article (26), Omani citizenship can be revoked if:
  • An individual insults the Sultanate of Oman or its ruling authority, either verbally or through actions.
  • The individual is a member of a group, party, or organization that promotes ideologies harmful to Oman’s interests.
  • They engage in activities for foreign governments that conflict with Oman’s national interests.
  • They work for a hostile country engaged in actions against Oman.

Omani citizenship may be reinstated if the reasons for revocation are resolved.

📌 Procedures for Applying for Omani Citizenship

• 📌 All applications must be submitted to the Ministry of Interior.
• 📌 The Ministry has full authority to reject applications without providing a reason.
• 📌 Required documents include proof of residence, financial status, good conduct, and Arabic proficiency.

Legal Penalties Related to Citizenship

🔴 Providing false information to obtain citizenship: Punishable by 1 to 3 years in prison and fines ranging from OMR 5,000 to OMR 10,000.

🔴 Violating citizenship regulations: May result in loss of Omani nationality and deportation.

Conclusion

The new Omani Citizenship Law (2025) introduces stricter criteria for acquiring, retaining, and revoking nationality. These changes reflect Oman’s policy of stricter immigration control and national identity preservation. Any violation of the law may result in citizenship loss and severe penalties.

What are your thoughts on these changes? Will Oman’s new citizenship policies create opportunities or challenges for applicants?