Oman’s Golden Residency: What Long-Time Expats and Investors Need to Know for Business Growth
Muscat: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Investment Promotion (MOCIIP) recently unveiled the Golden Residency programme, designed to provide investors with stability while enhancing Oman’s reputation as a secure destination for investment.
Jeremy Savory, CEO of Savory & Partners — an approved government agent for Citizenship and Residency by investment across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe — emphasized the significance of the initiative. He stated, “The Sultanate of Oman’s Golden Residency presents an exceptional opportunity for expatriates and investors alike. For many who have established their lives here, it offers the stability they have long sought. For international investors, it provides a valuable chance to secure renewable long-term residency in a tax-friendly country. Oman’s location, close to Dubai and the UAE, adds to its appeal as a strategic base for regional connectivity.”
Savory further highlighted the programme’s competitive pricing and its inclusive approach. “Oman complements successful initiatives from other countries by welcoming families without limits on the number or ages of dependents, allowing them not only to come but to stay and contribute. Following the surge of applications after the UAE Golden Visa launch, we anticipate a similar demand for Oman’s programme. Early investors will benefit from a broader range of investment options.”
Nasima Al Balushi, Director General of the Investment Services Center at MOCIIP, noted the programme’s objectives: attracting capital, stimulating economic growth, and creating employment opportunities for Omani citizens.
Golden Residency can be obtained through multiple avenues, including purchasing shares (securities), acquiring development bonds, making fixed deposits in banks, or owning companies that employ over 50 Omanis.
Key benefits of the programme include comprehensive family residency for first-degree family members with no restrictions on number or age, dedicated lanes at airports and ports to reduce waiting times, facilitated visit visas for relatives, and the ability to own property outside integrated tourism areas (residential, commercial, industrial). Property ownership can also be transferred, except for lands legally restricted from ownership by non-Omanis.
This programme underscores Oman’s commitment to fostering a welcoming and stable environment for investors and their families, solidifying its position as a preferred investment hub in the region.
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Oman’s Golden Residency programme positions the Sultanate as a competitive, stable, and attractive hub for long-term foreign investment by offering ease of residency and family inclusion with no age limits. This creates significant opportunities for businesses to attract and retain international capital and talent, while smart investors should consider early entry to capitalize on a broader selection of investment options before demand rises sharply. The programme also enhances economic diversification and job creation, reinforcing Oman’s strategic appeal in the GCC region.
