Maal, Oman's National Payment Card: What It Is and How to Get It

Maal is Oman's own payment card brand, launched by the Central Bank of Oman (CBO). It is a local debit and prepaid card issued through your bank, free to hold, and it works only inside Oman. The first phase began on 20 November 2025, National Day, and it is still described by banks as being rolled out gradually. We last checked on 6 November 2026.

Who issues it

The Observer's launch report names four first issuers: Bank Muscat, Sohar International, Oman Arab Bank and Bank Dhofar. Bank product pages show others offering it as well, including National Bank of Oman and Muzn Islamic Banking. The CBO said Maal can only come from commercial banks and licensed payment service providers under its supervision, and in October 2025 it denied claims that people could get it through unlicensed individuals and warned the public to ignore suspicious calls.

How to get one

The bank pages describe the same pattern:

• New customers receive Maal when they open an account.
• Existing customers get an SMS when the card is ready to collect.
• NBO says cards can be printed instantly at some branches, including a self-service kiosk at its main branch.
• It is an additional card. Bank Muscat says it does not replace your current one.

Eligibility is by bank, not by nationality. NBO and Bank Muscat say any customer can have it, and Muzn excludes only children under seven.

What it does

According to the banks, Maal works at ATMs, cash deposit machines and point-of-sale terminals in Oman, and for local online payments, bills and government services over the OmanNet network. It supports contactless payment and uses a one-time password for local online purchases. Customers who report a lost or stolen card are not liable for later charges, provided they confirm the report in writing.

Limits to know about

• Oman only. None of the three banks supports use abroad. Keep your Visa or Mastercard for travel.
• No mobile wallet yet. Bank Muscat, NBO and Muzn all say it cannot be added to a wallet at the moment.
• Patchy terminals. The Observer reported at launch that most ATMs and online gateways would accept Maal but that some shop terminals were not ready. Banks describe POS acceptance as being enabled gradually. We found no CBO announcement saying every terminal now accepts it, and no published count of cards issued.

What it costs

The CBO says issuing and annual fees are waived for customers, and Bank Muscat's published schedule shows no issuance or annual fee (NBO and Muzn do not list fees on their pages). For the fee schedule, ATM charges and what merchants pay, see our companion piece on the Maal card fee structure.

Bottom line

If your bank offers Maal, take it as a free local backup card, and carry a normal card for travel and for shops whose terminals may not take it yet. Compare other banking options in our blog and, if you are new to Oman, the move guide.