A Decade in the Sultanate-Your Guide to Long-Term Residency in Oman

Oman has quietly become one of the more accessible long-term residency destinations in the Gulf. Since relaunching its investor residency scheme, often referred to as the Golden Visa, in August 2025, the Sultanate has drawn strong interest from expats already living there and international investors alike. Here's a clear breakdown of how expats can secure longer-term status in Oman, whether through investment, retirement, or simply staying on after years of work.

The Golden Visa: Oman's flagship long-term residency route

The Golden Visa, formally known as the Investor Residency Programme, is a self-sponsored, renewable residency, meaning holders are not tied to an employer to maintain their status. It comes in two tiers based on investment size.

Five-year residency: Requires a minimum qualifying investment of OMR 250,000, approximately USD 650,000.
Ten-year residency: Requires a minimum qualifying investment of OMR 500,000, approximately USD 1.3 million.

It's worth noting that reported figures for the entry threshold vary somewhat across sources, with some citing a lower starting point around OMR 200,000 for property specifically within designated investment zones. Given how recently the programme relaunched, prospective applicants should confirm the exact current threshold directly through the official Invest Oman platform before committing funds.

Ways to qualify for investment-based residency

Applicants aren't limited to a single asset type, and in some cases can combine pathways to reach the qualifying threshold.

Real estate: Property within a designated Integrated Tourism Complex, such as Al Mouj Muscat, The Wave Muscat, Muscat Hills, Jebel Sifah, or Hawana Salalah.
Government development bonds: Bonds with at least two years of remaining maturity, registered in the applicant's name.
Listed shares and securities: Holdings on the Muscat Stock Exchange, verified through an official portfolio report.
Fixed bank deposits: A deposit held for a minimum tenure of five years, evidenced by a certified bank deposit certificate.
Business or company shares: Ownership in an Omani limited liability company or public joint stock company.Workforce localisation. A non-financial pathway for business owners employing at least fifty Omani nationals, verified through the Social Protection Fund or Ministry of Labour.

What both tiers offer

Unlimited family sponsorship: Both tiers extend residency to spouses and children with no age restriction and no cap on family size.
No full-time residence requirement: Holders are not required to live in Oman year-round; retaining the qualifying investment is generally sufficient to keep the residency valid.
Regional travel access: Visa-free movement to other Gulf Cooperation Council member states.
Healthcare and education access: Entry into Oman's growing private healthcare sector and international schooling options.

The Silver Visa: a lower-cost alternative

For those not ready to commit to the Golden Visa's higher thresholds, Oman also offers a Silver Visa option. Applicants qualify by investing at least OMR 250,000 in an Omani limited liability company or public company, or by purchasing property worth at least OMR 250,000. The application fee is notably lower, at OMR 326, compared to OMR 551 for the Golden Visa.

A path for expats already working in Oman

Expats who have spent years working in Oman and want to retire there don't necessarily need to make a fresh investment. An extended residence permit valid for five years is available to expat workers who are over the age of 60 and can demonstrate a fixed income of at least OMR 4,000 per month, roughly USD 10,400. This route offers a straightforward path to remaining in the Sultanate long-term after a working career, without navigating the investment thresholds required of new arrivals.

Why the tax environment matters

Oman's tax framework is a significant draw for long-term residents. There is currently no personal income tax on individual earnings, and a modest five percent tax is expected to apply only to high earners above a set income threshold starting in 2028, leaving most residents unaffected. Oman also does not impose capital gains tax on property sales or an inheritance tax, making it an attractive long-term base for wealth preservation alongside residency.

How quickly it moves, and who's applying

Processing for the Golden Visa typically takes three to six weeks from a complete application, making it one of the faster investor residency programmes in the Gulf region. Demand has been strong since the relaunch, with around 56,000 applications recorded, of which roughly 70 percent came from expats already based in Oman. India, the United Kingdom, and Egypt currently rank as the top nationalities among applicants, reflecting the programme's broad international appeal.