Types of Oman visas: obtaining and requirements

Obtaining a residence permit in Oman is an attractive opportunity for those who wish to live, work or invest in this unique and dynamic country. Oman offers a variety of programs for foreign nationals, be it employment, study, investment or family unification. In the article we will understand what steps you need to take to get a residence permit for Oman, what requirements are imposed on applicants and what documents you need to prepare.

Options for obtaining a residence permit in Oman

A residence permit in Oman can be obtained in several main ways, depending on the purpose of stay and the status of the applicant. Let's take a look at the main options:

• Work Visa
  Suitable for those who are employed in Oman. A work visa is issued by the employer and requires proof of professional qualifications and compliance with the work profile.
• Business Immigration
  For entrepreneurs and investors, Oman provides an opportunity to obtain a residence permit through investment in the country's economy or opening a business. The requirements vary depending on the size of the investment and the type of activity.
• Study visa
  Foreign students enrolled in Omani educational institutions can apply for a study visa, which allows them to stay in the country for the duration of their academic course.
• Family Reunification
  This type of residence permit is suitable for family members of Omani citizens or residents. Spouses, children and sometimes parents can apply for a residence permit under this basis.
• Pension visa
  Oman offers special conditions for pensioners who wish to reside in the country. Such a visa requires proof of financial solvency and sufficient income for residence.

It should be remembered that the residence permit for Oman is not granted on a permanent basis and has a limited period. For example, investments allow you to get the status for a period of 5 to 10 years. It is not possible to obtain the status of a permanent resident of the country.

Each of these options has its own conditions and package of documents required for application.

Oman work visa

The Oman work visa allows foreign nationals to be officially employed in the country and requires fulfillment of a number of conditions. This type of visa is issued by an employer who acts as a sponsor and takes responsibility for the employee.
The main requirements:

• Age restrictions: candidates must be over 21 years old and under 60 years old.
• Qualifications and experience: the applicant's specialty must be relevant to the vacancy for which they are applying. Employers may request proof of qualifications and professional experience.
• Medical examination: some employers require a medical certificate of health certified by an authorized medical institution.

Required documents:

• Two photographs of the prescribed size.
• A passport with a validity of at least six months.
• Invitation from an Omani company stating the position and working conditions.
• Documents proving qualifications and work experience.
• A commitment letter from the employer confirming willingness to take responsibility for the foreign employee.

Stages of registration:

• Finding an employer: the foreign national must find a company in Oman that is willing to issue a visa and invite him to work.
• Submission of documents by the employer: the employer sends the documents to the relevant authorities in Oman to obtain a work permit.
• Visa processing: once approved, the applicant is issued a work visa for a period of two months to two years, depending on the terms of the contract and the specifics of the job.

Additional details:

• The work visa can be extended with the consent of the employer.
• Family members (spouse and children) can also be granted visas to stay in Oman if the employer assumes responsibility for their stay.

A work visa does not allow you to stay in the country to look for work - all paperwork must be completed before entering Oman.

Golden Investor Visa in Oman

The Golden Visa program in Oman is designed for foreign investors who wish to obtain a long-term residence permit in the country. This visa provides the opportunity to run a business, buy real estate and live in Oman for many years.

Main investment options:

• Real estate investment: the ability to purchase residential or commercial real estate starting from ~$650,000* for a 5-year visa or from ~$1,300,000* for a 10-year visa.
• Business investment: start or buy a company in Oman with investments from ~$650,000* for a 5-year visa or from ~$1,300,000* riyals for a 10-year visa.
• Buying government bonds: investing in Omani securities in an appropriate amount, depending on the duration of the desired residency permit.

Benefits of the Golden Visa:

• Long-term residence: ability to live in Oman for 5 or 10 years with the right to renew.
• Work and Business: the right to work and run a business without a local sponsor.
• Real Estate Acquisition: the ability to purchase real estate outside of tourist zones and free economic zones.
• Family sponsorship: the ability to invite spouses and children for permanent residence.
• Hiring staff: the right to hire up to three people to work in a household or to run a business.

Requirements for applicants:

• Age: over 21 years of age.
• Clean background: no criminal record.
• Health insurance: having a policy for the applicant and family members.
• Financial solvency: documented proof of funds available for investment.

Receipt procedure:

• Choosing the form of investment: determining the appropriate investment path.
• Document preparation: gathering the necessary documents, including passport, investment certificates, medical certificates.
• Applying: contacting the Omani authorities to apply for a visa.
• Waiting for approval: reviewing and receiving a decision on the application, after which the visa is issued.

The Golden Visa program opens doors for investors to live comfortably and develop their business in the stable and promising economic environment of Oman.

Oman Study Visa

The Oman Study Visa is designed for international students planning to study in educational institutions of the country. It allows you to stay in Oman for the entire period of study and can be extended if necessary.

Basic requirements:

• Admission to an accredited educational institution: official confirmation of enrollment from an Omani university or college is required.
• Financial solvency: proof of funds available for tuition and living expenses.
• Medical certificate: a document proving satisfactory health condition.

Required documents:

• Passport: valid for at least six months from the date of intended entry.
• Photographs: two 4×6 cm color photographs.
• Admission letter: an official invitation from an educational institution in Oman.
• Proof of financial solvency: bank statements or other documents confirming the ability to pay tuition and living expenses.
• Medical certificate: confirmation of absence of infectious diseases.

Processing procedure:

• Admission to the educational institution: apply and receive confirmation of enrollment.
• Gathering documents: prepare all the necessary documents for visa application.
• Application submission: apply to the Embassy or Consulate of Oman with a full package of documents.
• Reviewing the application: waiting for a decision on the visa, usually takes from a few days to a few weeks.
• Receiving the visa: if approved, the visa is pasted into your passport.

Additional information:

• Visa validity period: usually corresponds to the length of the study program and can be extended if necessary.
• Employment during study: employment opportunities for students are limited and require additional authorization.
• Family visas: family members of a student may be granted visas to reside in Oman for the duration of their studies, subject to certain conditions.

Study visas provide an opportunity to receive a quality education in Oman, immerse yourself in the country's culture and gain valuable international experience.

Family Reunification and Pension Visa in Oman

Oman provides opportunities for obtaining a residence permit (RPV) through family reunification and retirement visa programs.

Family Reunification

Foreign nationals married to Omani citizens or residents can apply for a residence permit through the family reunification program. In order to do so, it is necessary to provide:

• A marriage certificate certified by the relevant authorities.
• Proof of financial solvency of the resident spouse, demonstrating the ability to provide for the family.
• Housing conditions that meet the requirements for family residency.

The application process includes:

• Gathering the required documents.
• Submitting the application to the relevant Omani authorities.
• Waiting for review and receiving a decision.

Pension Visa

The Pension Visa is for foreign nationals who wish to reside in Oman after retirement. The basic requirements include:

• Age: the applicant must be at least 60 years old.
• Financial solvency: monthly income of at least ~$10,500*.
• Proof of employment in Oman: at least two years of work experience in Oman.
• Bank statements: for the last three months from an Omani bank.
• Rental agreement or document of ownership of housing in Oman.

The procedure for obtaining a retirement visa includes:

• Collecting the necessary documents.
• Submitting an application to the relevant authorities.
• Waiting for consideration and receiving a decision.

Both programs provide the possibility of long-term residence in Oman, provided that the established requirements are met and the relevant procedures are passed.

Assistance in obtaining a residence permit

One World Migration has expertise in obtaining an Omani residence permit for different categories of applicants, whether it is a work, investment or study visa. We take care of all formalities including document collection and communication with local authorities so that you can focus on preparing for your new life in Oman.

*Prices are quoted at the Omani Rial to dollar exchange rate at the time of publication.