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Muscat Daily
20-05-2025
- Muscat Daily
Oman urges vigilance against human trafficking
Muscat – The Ministry of Social Development, in coordination with the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, organised a workshop on Tuesday aimed at raising awareness of human trafficking, strengthening victim support mechanisms, and promoting community cooperation in addressing the issue. The workshop on 'Indicators of Human Trafficking, Raising Awareness of its Dangers, and the Importance of Reporting It' brought together child protection delegates, supervisors at the Protection Home, ministry customer service staff, and representatives from the Royal Oman Police involved in anti-trafficking efforts. A ministry official said the workshop formed part of broader efforts to enhance public awareness and coordination among key stakeholders. 'The workshop focused on recognising signs of trafficking and improving the way we support victims,' the official stated. The programme included four working papers. In the first, the Royal Oman Police outlined common indicators of trafficking, including deprivation of liberty or official documents, labour law violations, forced begging, the presence of women and children in inappropriate locations, physical abuse, poor living conditions, lack of communication, breaches of the Foreigners' Residence Law, money laundering, illegal immigration, and migrant smuggling. The second paper, presented by the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, explained the committee's mandate, including the preparation of a national action plan. It highlighted the importance of introducing clear controls and procedures, developing rehabilitation programmes for victims, and improving coordination with border and transport authorities. The committee also addressed the local and international implications of human trafficking. The Ministry of Labour (MoL) presented the third paper, detailing its role in identifying cases of forced or compulsory labour. It described such cases as involving work performed under threat and without voluntary consent. Warning signs included unpaid wages, confiscation of passports, excessive working hours without pay, threats of deportation, abuse, restricted movement, and illegal employment of minors. The final paper reviewed Oman's legal framework for addressing trafficking, with reference to the Basic Law of the State issued under Royal Decree No. 6/2021. It affirmed guarantees of personal liberty, human dignity, and the right to a secure life, while reiterating Oman's commitment to international agreements and anti-trafficking standards. Authorities said the workshop is part of an ongoing effort to improve early detection, ensure more effective victim support, and strengthen enforcement of anti-trafficking laws.
Gulf Insider
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
How To Get Omani Citizenship: A Complete Guide
The Sultanate of Oman recently granted citizenship to 156 expats, following a decree by Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik. In February, the royal decree on the Omani nationality law was issued, and introduced a new set of conditions for foreign nationals seeking Omani citizenship. This law replaces the previous citizenship legislation of 2014 and aligns nationality regulations with the nation's current constitutional principles as outlined in the Basic Law of the State. The law establishes clear guidelines and procedures for acquiring, restoring, renouncing, and losing Omani citizenship, thereby ensuring national identity is preserved while accommodating deserving individuals who contribute to Oman's development. The Omani citizenship by origin applies to persons born to Omani fathers, whether within the sultanate or abroad, before the law's enactment. The law extends citizenship by origin to certain grandchildren of Omanis who acquired citizenship by grant, provided the grandchild is over 50 years old. Citizenship also applies to those born to Omani fathers who become stateless, regardless of the mother's nationality, reflecting a commitment to prevent statelessness within Oman's population. The law generally prohibits dual nationality to maintain exclusive allegiance to Oman. Exceptions require a royal decree based on a recommendation from the Minister of Interior. Renunciation of Omani citizenship is permitted only after the minister's approval and confirmation that the individual has met all obligations to the sultanate. Minor children linked to a renouncing father retain citizenship unless the father requests otherwise and foreign nationality laws allow it. All actions involving the granting, withdrawal, revocation, or restoration of citizenship are executed by royal decree, ensuring that such decisions receive the highest level of scrutiny. The law provides flexibility by permitting exceptional grants or restorations of citizenship through royal decrees that may waive usual legal requirements. Individuals who receive or regain citizenship enjoy full civil rights from the effective date of the relevant royal decree. The law lists circumstances leading to citizenship loss or revocation to uphold national interests: Automatic loss if an Omani acquires another nationality without state authorization. Revocation of citizenship granted through marriage if the marriage dissolves before five years or if a foreign spouse remarries outside Omani nationality. Citizenship loss or revocation for acts deemed injurious to the sultanate, including insults, association with hostile groups, working for adversarial foreign entities, or criminal offenses. Withdrawal of citizenship granted illegally or associated with criminal behavior or prolonged unjustified absence from Oman. Provision for restoration of citizenship if the grounds for revocation no longer exist. Omanis by origin who renounced citizenship and acquired foreign nationality may seek restoration if they meet certain conditions including: Residing normally in Oman or having returned with the intent to settle. Maintaining good moral character without recent criminal convictions. Declaring in writing their intention to renounce other nationalities. Minor children regain citizenship along with the father. Additionally, children who lost citizenship due to their father's renunciation can apply for reinstatement within five years of reaching adulthood. The law outlines stringent criteria for foreigners seeking Omani citizenship. A minimum of 15 years of continuous legal residence in Oman, allowing absences not exceeding 90 days per year. Proficiency in reading and writing Arabic to ensure cultural and linguistic integration. Demonstration of good conduct and a clean legal record. Good health and freedom from infectious diseases as determined by regulation. Possession of a legitimate, sufficient income source to support oneself and dependents. Written commitment to renounce previous nationality, ensuring single citizenship in Oman. Minor children acquire citizenship through their Omani father if born or residing in Oman. Family relationships provide additional paths to citizenship under detailed conditions: Foreign husbands of Omani women may apply after 10 years of marriage and residency, with a requirement to have a child from the marriage. Foreign wives of Omani men qualify after eight years of marriage and residency, provided they have a child from the marriage and meet language and conduct standards. Foreign widows and divorced spouses also have defined residency, family, and conduct prerequisites to qualify. Minor children born to Omani mothers and foreign fathers may acquire citizenship when custody and residency conditions are met, particularly in cases of widowhood, divorce, or absence of the father. To ensure the integrity of citizenship issuance, the law imposes strict penalties for fraudulent actions such as providing false documents or information. Convicted individuals face imprisonment for up to three years, fines ranging between 5,000 and 10,000 Omani rials, or both.
Observer
18-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Joint meeting to help formulate common visions
MUSCAT: The Council of Ministers and the Majlis Ash'shura on Sunday held a joint meeting at the Council of Ministers' premises in accordance with the Basic Law of the State and the Council of Oman Law. The meeting was aimed to support ongoing cooperation among institutions of the state and formulate common visions that contribute to the implementation of public policies and the promotion of the country's supreme interest. HH Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmood al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, and members of the Council of Ministers received Khalid bin Hilal al Maawali, Chairman of Majlis Ash'shura, and members of the Majlis Ash'shura Office. At the outset of the meeting, HH Sayyid Fahd underscored the importance of the Majlis Ash'shura's coordination with the government towards enhancing the process of comprehensive development witnessed by the Sultanate of Oman. He reviewed means of supporting cooperation between the two councils in a manner that maintains efforts to serve the nation and its citizens. The meeting also laid emphasis on the priority accorded by the Council of Ministers to the role of the Majlis Ash'shura as a partner in the nation-building process. In pursuance of this approach, service ministers periodically respond to the Majlis Ash'shura's request (to the ministers) to submit ministerial statements that explain efforts made by government units to implement projects, according to the priorities of each phase to provide the best services to citizens. The proposals and opinions of the Majlis Ash'shura members are studied and incorporated into economic and social plans and programmes. The joint meeting reviewed several topics, including continued coordination and cooperation with the government, as well as ways to enhance community awareness programmes and activate the role of the Coordination Committee that liaises between the two councils. For their part, the Majlis Ash'shura chairman and the members of the Majlis Ash'shura's Office expressed the importance of the joint meeting and the positive outcomes that it yielded. They spoke about various matters of significance to the public interest. They also expressed their thanks and appreciation to the government and to the country's leadership for their efforts in supporting cooperation between the two councils. The Majlis Ash'shura members affirmed that the next phase of development would see more coordination envisaged to safeguard the gains made so far in the march of progress and prosperity in Oman. - ONA
Muscat Daily
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Muscat Daily
Majlis A'Shura, Council of Ministers pledge closer coordination
Muscat – The Council of Ministers and Majlis A'Shura held a joint meeting on Sunday to enhance cooperation and align efforts in implementing public policies in line with the Basic Law of the State and Council of Oman Law. Chaired by H H Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Council of Ministers, the meeting was attended by members of the council, H E Khalid bin Hilal al Maawali, Chairman of shura, and senior shura members. H H Sayyid Fahd highlighted the importance of coordination between the shura and the government in supporting Oman's comprehensive development efforts. He emphasised the need for ongoing collaboration to ensure the efficient delivery of public services and address the evolving needs of citizens. The meeting also underscored the Council of Ministers' commitment to engaging with the shura as a partner in the nation-building process. It noted that serving ministers regularly respond to shura requests to provide ministerial statements detailing government projects and initiatives. Proposals and opinions of shura members are studied and incorporated into economic and social plans and programmes. Discussions during the meeting included proposals for improving community awareness programmes and enhancing the role of the Coordination Committee, which acts as a bridge between the council and the shura. The chairman and members of the shura office appreciated the joint meeting, describing it as a vital step towards reinforcing collaboration. They acknowledged the government's ongoing support and pledged to enhance their efforts in the next phase of Oman's development. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further enhance coordination to preserve the gains made so far and to ensure sustained progress in the coming years.
Observer
09-02-2025
- Politics
- Observer
Can non-Omani spouses get citizenship?
Muscat: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik issued Royal Decree 17/2025 promulgating the Omani Nationality Law after reviewing the Basic Law of the State, and the Omani Nationality Law issued by Royal Decree No 38/2014, and based on what the public interest requires. Applications related to nationality issues shall be submitted to the Ministry of Interior, which shall study and decide upon them. The Ministry may reject any application without giving reasons. Here is what the law says about granting citizenship to foreign spouses of citizens. Article 18 A foreigner who is the husband of an Omani woman may apply for Omani citizenship if he has been married to an Omani woman and has resided with her in the Sultanate of Oman for no less than 10 years, and his residence shall not be considered continuous if he is absent during one year for a period not exceeding 90 days. The applicant must have a child from his Omani wife, must be fluent in reading and writing Arabic, must have good conduct and behavior, must not have been previously sentenced to a final penalty for a felony or a crime that violates honor or trust, even if his reputation has been restored, must be in the good health and free from infectious diseases, as specified in the regulations, must have a legitimate source of income that provides him with enough to meet his needs and the needs of those he supports and must declare in writing his desire to renounce the nationality of the country of which he holds nationality, and that he does not hold the nationality of another country other than the country of which he will renounce nationality. Minor children acquire Omani nationality through their father if they were born in the Sultanate of Oman or reside normally in it. Article (19) A foreign woman who is the wife of an Omani man may apply for Omani citizenship if she has been married to an Omani and has resided with him in the Sultanate of Oman for no less than 8 years, and her absence during one year for a period not exceeding (90) ninety days does not prevent her residence from being considered continuous, she has a child from her Omani husband. She must be in spoken Arabic, must have good conduct and behavior, must not have been previously sentenced to a final penalty for a felony or a crime that violates honor or trust unless her reputation has been restored, and must declare in writing her desire to renounce the nationality of the country of which she holds nationality, and that she does not hold the nationality of another country other than the country of which she will renounce nationality. Article 20 A foreign widow of an Omani may apply for Omani citizenship if she has been widowed and has resided in the Sultanate of Oman for not less than 6 years, and her absence during one year for a period not exceeding (90) ninety days shall not prevent her residence from being considered continuous, she has a child from her Omani husband, She must not be married to a non-Omani, must be fluent in spoken Arabic, must have good conduct and behavior, must not have been previously sentenced to a final penalty for a felony or a crime that violates honor or trust unless her reputation has been restored, must be in good health and free from infectious diseases, as specified in the regulations and must declare in writing her desire to renounce the nationality of the country of which she holds nationality, and that she does not hold the nationality of another country other than the country of which she will renounce nationality. Article 21 A foreign woman divorced from an Omani man may apply for Omani citizenship if she has been married to an Omani and has resided with him in the Sultanate of Oman for no less than eight years, before the divorce. Her residence shall not be considered continuous if she is absent for one year for a period not exceeding 90 days. She has a child with her Omani husband. She must not be married to a non-Omani, must be fluent in spoken Arabic, must have good conduct and behavior, must not have been previously sentenced to a final penalty for a felony or a crime that violates honor or trust, even if her reputation has been restored. must be in good health and free from infectious diseases, as specified in the regulations. She must have a legitimate source of income that provides her with enough to meet her needs and the needs of those she supports and must declare in writing her desire to renounce the nationality of the country of which she holds nationality, and that she does not hold the nationality of another country other than the country of which she will renounce nationality. Article 22 Omani citizenship may be granted to a minor child born to an Omani mother and her foreign husband, if the the mother is a widow or divorced, provided that five years have passed since the widowhood or divorce, or that her husband has been absent from her or has abandoned her for an unknown reason for no less than ten (10) consecutive years, and this absence or abandonment shall be proven by a court ruling. His mother has custody of him, under a court ruling and he has resided in the Sultanate of Oman for not less than five years if his mother is a widow or divorced, and ten years if her husband has been absent from her or abandoned her. In both cases, his absence during one year for a period not exceeding (90) ninety days shall not prevent his residence from being considered continuous. He must have good conduct and behavior, and must not have been previously sentenced to a final penalty for a felony or a crime that violates honor or trust unless his reputation has been restored. There must be written consent of the minor's guardian - if any - to obtaining Omani citizenship, and that he does not hold the citizenship of another country other than the country whose citizenship he will renounce.
