Oman launches flexible foreign resident cards, extends Omani ID validity to 10 years
Under this decision, issued by Lieutenant General Hassan bin Mohsin Al Shraiqi, expatriate residents can now choose residence cards valid for one, two, or three years, according to a Gulf News report. The corresponding fees are 5, 10, and 15 riyals. Replacing lost or damaged cards will cost 20 riyals.
The decision also extends the validity of Omani personal identity cards to 10 years, matching the duration of the national passport. The issuance, renewal, or replacement fee remains 10 riyals.
As per Gulf News , the ROP stated, 'These amendments are designed to ease administrative processes and provide residents with flexible options to suit their needs.' All residence and ID card holders are required to renew their documents within 30 days of expiry to remain compliant.
Oman hosts around 1.8 million expatriates as of June 2025, with most employed in the private sector (1.4 million), followed by domestic workers (349,000), government employees (41,000), and those in the family sector (6,800). The updated rules are expected to benefit this large expatriate community by simplifying the residency process and reducing administrative burdens. The move is part of the government's broader efforts to modernise civil status laws and improve public services in line with international standards.
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First Post
4 days ago
- First Post
Oman now offers flexible foreign resident cards: All you need to know
Oman has reportedly begun offering flexible foreign resident cards with validity options of one, two or three years. For foreigners in the country, the residence card serves as the main proof of legal identity after obtaining a residence visa. The validity of personal identity cards for citizens has also been extended to 10 years As of June 2025, Oman has about 1.8 million foreign residents. Reuters/File Photo Oman has reportedly started offering flexible foreign resident cards that can be valid for one, two or three years. The validity of Omani ID cards for citizens has also been extended to 10 years. This gives foreign residents more options when applying for residency permits, allowing them to choose a duration that works best for them. Citizens, meanwhile, will benefit from ID cards that last longer. ALSO READ | How end of 'Dropbox' visa renewals in US from September 2 will impact Indians STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But what exactly are these flexible foreign resident cards, and who will they help? Let's take a look: Oman launches flexible foreign resident cards: What we know The Royal Oman Police has announced new options for the validity and cost of expatriate residence cards and Omani personal identity cards, aiming to make renewals simpler. According to a report by Gulf News, under the decision issued by Lieutenant General Hassan bin Mohsin Ali Shraiqi, foreign residents can now pick residence cards that last for one, two or three years. The fee changes according to the length chosen, from 5 to 15 riyals. If a card is lost or damaged, a replacement will cost 20 riyals. Oman has also increased the validity of its personal identity cards for citizens to 10 years, in line with the national passport. The fee for issuing, renewing or replacing these cards stays at 10 riyals. The validity of Omani ID cards for citizens has also been extended to 10 years. AFP/File Photo According to Gulf News, the ROP said, 'These amendments are designed to ease administrative processes and provide residents with flexible options to suit their needs.' All holders of residence and ID cards must make sure their documents are renewed within 30 days after expiry to follow the rules. As of June 2025, Oman has about 1.8 million foreign residents. Around 1.4 million are employed in the private sector, 349,000 work as domestic staff, 41,000 hold government jobs and 6,800 are in the family sector. ALSO READ | Rs 13-lakh bond to enter US? How Trump's new visa rule could affect tourists STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What this means for foreign residents For foreigners living in Oman, the residence card is the main proof of legal identity after receiving a residence visa. It carries key personal, visa and biometric information, and is needed for daily tasks such as renting a home, setting up utilities, opening a bank account or registering a mobile phone. With the new tiered system, those choosing longer validity periods will make fewer trips to ROP offices, spend less time in queues and plan their expenses more easily. For foreigners living in Oman, the residence card is the main proof of legal identity after receiving a residence visa. AFP/File Photo Short-term workers can now match their card validity to their job contracts, avoiding the need for early renewals before leaving the country, Nairametrics reported. Who will benefit? The revised rules are set to help Oman's large expatriate population by making residency procedures simpler and cutting down on paperwork. With fewer administrative hurdles, the country is likely to be more appealing to skilled professionals, investors and companies.
NDTV
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Oman Rolls Out Flexible Foreign Resident Cards: What It Means
The Royal Oman Police has announced new validity options and fee structures for expatriate residence cards and Omani personal identity cards, aimed at making renewals more flexible and efficient. According to a Gulf News report, this decision issued by Lieutenant General Hassan bin Mohsin Ali Shraiqi, expatriate residents can now choose residence cards that are valid for one to three years. The fees corresponding to the number of years ranges from 5 to 15 riyals. In addition, replacing damaged or lost cards will cost 20 riyals. What Does This Mean? Oman has now introduced flexible foreign resident cards with varying validity periods ranging between one, two or three years. It has also extended validity of Omani ID cards for citizens to 10 years. This means that expatriates now have more choices for their residency permits and can select the duration that best suits their needs, while the citizens benefit from longer-lasting ID cards. This decision also extends the validity of Omani personal identity cards to 10 years, which matches the duration of the national passport. The issuance, renewal, and replacement fee remains10 riyals. According to Gulf News, "These amendments are designed to ease administrative processes and provide residents with flexible options to suit their needs." All residence and ID card holders must renew their documents within 30 days of expiry to remain compliant. As of June 2025, Oman hosts around 1.8 million expatriates, most of whom are employed in the private sector (1.4 million), in addition to being domestic workers (349,000), government employees (41,000), and family sector employees (6,800). The updated policies are expected to benefit this large expatriate community by simplifying the residency process and reducing the administrative burdens. This move is part of the government's broader efforts to modernise civil status laws and improve public services in sync with international standards.
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