ROP amends validity, fees for Omani ID and expat resident cards
Under the new rules, personal identity cards for Omanis will now be valid for ten years from the date of issue or renewal, as opposed to five years earlier. Issuing, renewing or replacing a lost or damaged card will cost RO10.
Resident cards of expatriates will be valid for a maximum of three years. The fee for issuing or renewing a resident card of one-year validity is RO5, RO10 for two years and RO15 for three years. Replacement of a lost or stolen resident card will cost RO20.
Issued by Lt Gen Hassan bin Mohsen al Shuraiqi, Inspector General of Police and Customs, the amendments replace Article 21 of the regulation. The changes were made in line with the Civil Status Law (Royal Decree No 99/66), its Executive Regulation (Decision No 40/2007), with approval of Ministry of Finance.
The decision was published in Official Gazette Issue 1608 and takes effect from August 7, 2025.
The move was welcomed by citizens and residents. 'Royal Oman Police is one of the most active government agencies in terms of innovation and development, especially in the services it provides, which are easy to access and quick to complete through advanced systems. Thank you,' Abdullah al Wahaibi posted on X.
Hamad al Awisi, also on X, commented, 'We thank the Lt Gen for this step that facilitates citizens and reduces renewal procedures. However, over time, the card remains vulnerable to damage or loss, especially with daily use. Since the fee for issuing a replacement for a lost or damaged card is the same as the renewal fee, it may be worth reviewing in the future.'
Ramesh Iyer, an Indian expatriate in Salalah, said, 'Earlier, we had to renew our resident cards every two years, which meant more paperwork and time off work. With the option of a three-year validity, we save both time and money. For families with schoolchildren, it reduces the stress of renewals every two years.'
Salim Akthar, a Pakistani resident in Muscat, added, 'Paying once for three years makes life easier and more organised. It's also helpful for frequent travellers as it eliminates the risk of expiry while abroad. The flexibility shows ROP is considering residents' needs.'
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