Latest news with #OmaniNationalityLaw
Gulf Insider
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
Oman Grants Citizenship To 156 Expatriates
Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik has issued a royal decree granting Omani citizenship to more than 150 expatriates. Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik issued Royal Decree No. 17/2025 granting Omani citizenship to 156 people. (We have taken a look at how expats can become Omani citizens. Here's a detailed guide.) 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. The recent implementation of the Omani Nationality Law under Royal Decree No. 17/2025, replaces the previous nationality law enacted under Royal Decree No. 38/2014, and came into effect on February 2, 2025. The Nationality Law outlines the rules and regulations related to Omani citizenship and the eligibility criteria for individuals seeking to become citizens. The law provides different pathways for individuals to acquire citizenship in Oman, including by birth, marriage to an Omani citizen, and naturalization. It also outlines specific eligibility criteria for each pathway, such as parentage for citizenship by birth, conditions for foreign spouses to acquire citizenship through marriage, and requirements for naturalisation. The law also clarifies provisions regarding Omani citizenship by descent. The Nationality Law stipulates that dual citizenship is generally not permitted in Oman, unless granted by the Sultan through a Royal Decree. Under Article 23, Omani nationals who acquire a foreign nationality in violation of the law will automatically lose their Omani citizenship. Marriage-related provisions also affect nationality status. A foreigner who acquires Omani citizenship through marriage to an Omani woman will lose it if the marriage ends in divorce or desertion within five years. The law clarifies that in such cases, the father's loss of nationality does not affect the children, who will retain their Omani nationality. Similarly, a foreign woman who gains Omani citizenship through marriage to an Omani man will lose it if she divorces and subsequently marries a non-Omani. The loss of citizenship takes effect from the date of the second marriage. Under Article 26, an individual may be stripped of his/her nationality if they insult the Sultan or the Sultanate, whether verbally or through actions. Membership in organisations or parties that promote ideologies harmful to Oman's interests is also grounds for revocation. Additionally, Omani nationals who work for a foreign government in a role that conflicts with the country's interests and refuse to resign despite official requests may lose their citizenship. The same applies to those who work for hostile nations actively engaged against Oman. While the law takes a firm stance on these issues, it allows for the reinstatement of citizenship if the circumstances leading to revocation no longer apply. Under Article 27, individuals convicted of crimes against state security or sentenced for multiple felonies within five years of acquiring nationality may have it revoked. Additionally, long-term absence from Oman is a factor — individuals who remain outside the country for more than 24 consecutive months without a valid reason risk losing their nationality. These measures reflect the Omani government's commitment to national integrity and reinforce strict conditions for maintaining citizenship.
Times of Oman
09-03-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Russian national gets dual Omani citizenship
Muscat : His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has issued Royal Decree No. 29/2025, granting Omani citizenship to Maria Victor Anatolyevich Armantova and authorising her to hold her dual Omani and Russian citizenship. This is the first case of granting Omani citizenship with the Russian nationality under the new law. The grant of citizenship follows the recent implementation of Omani Nationality Law under Royal Decree No. 17/2025, which came into effect on February 2, 2025. According to the new law, dual nationality is prohibited, unless granted by a Royal Decree, based on the recommendation of the Minister of the Interior.
Observer
09-03-2025
- Politics
- Observer
Omani-Russian dual citizenship granted under new law
His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik al Said issued Royal Decree No. 2025/29 granting Maria Viktor Anatolyevich Argentova Omani nationality and authorising her to combine Omani and Russian citizenship. This is the first decree granting citizenship after the new Omani Nationality Law issued by Royal Decree No. 2025/17 on February 2, 2025, which stated in its fifth article: 'It is not permissible to combine Omani citizenship with any other nationality except by a Royal Decree, based on the recommendation of the Minister."
Muscat Daily
09-02-2025
- Politics
- Muscat Daily
Oman sets new guidelines for acquiring citizenship
Muscat – The Royal Decree on the Omani Nationality Law issued last week has introduced a new set of conditions for foreign nationals seeking Omani citizenship, requiring a minimum of 15 years of continuous residence in the country, proficiency in Arabic, and a record of good conduct. Applicants must also demonstrate financial independence, maintain good health, and renounce their previous nationality to qualify. The updated Omani Nationality Law, outlined in Royal Decree No 17/2025, builds on the original Nationality Law enacted in 2014 and aims to streamline the citizenship process while prioritising national interests. Under the new regulations, the Ministry of Interior will oversee all nationality applications and has the authority to reject any application without providing an explanation. Disputes over nationality decisions will no longer be subject to court rulings. The decree also establishes clear guidelines for revoking citizenship. Omani nationality can be revoked if an individual engages in activities considered harmful to the sultanate's interests, such as insulting the country or the Sultan, or working for foreign states or hostile organisations against Oman's interests. However, provisions for the restoration of citizenship are included, allowing individuals to regain their nationality if the reasons for revocation are resolved. Harsh penalties have been introduced for those found submitting false information or fraudulent documents in their citizenship applications. Offenders face up to three years in prison and fines ranging from RO5,000 to RO10,000. The reforms reflect Oman's commitment to a regulated citizenship process that upholds its sovereignty and ensures that applicants meet the country's standards for nationality.
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.
