Oman
Last Updated: 2026-04-01
Official Portal: Royal Oman Police — Directorate General of Civil Status
Embassy Finder: Oman Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Diplomatic Missions
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Residency for naturalization | 20 years for foreign nationals; 10 years for citizens of Arab states |
| Language requirement | Arabic proficiency required |
| Civics test | No formal test; cultural and religious integration expected |
| Processing time | Highly discretionary; no published timeline (years to decades) |
| Naturalization fee | Not publicly listed; fees set by Royal Oman Police |
| Dual citizenship | No — Omani nationality is automatically lost upon voluntary acquisition of another citizenship |
| Citizenship by birth in Oman | No jus soli |
| Citizenship by descent | Patrilineal (through the father); limited provision for children of Omani mothers since 2014 |
| Governing law | Omani Citizenship Law (Royal Decree No. 38/2014) |
Dual Citizenship
No. Oman strictly prohibits dual citizenship. Under the Omani Citizenship Law (Royal Decree No. 38/2014), any Omani national who voluntarily acquires a foreign nationality automatically loses Omani citizenship. The reverse also applies — a foreign national naturalizing in Oman must renounce all prior nationalities before the grant becomes effective.
There are no exceptions, waivers, or discretionary provisions permitting dual nationality. Omani nationals who acquire foreign citizenship without informing authorities face penalties and loss of civil rights associated with Omani nationality, including property ownership rights restricted to citizens.
This prohibition is strictly enforced. Oman’s position reflects the broader Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) stance against dual nationality, shared by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE.
Acquisition of Nationality
By Birth (Jus Soli)
Oman does not grant citizenship based on birth on its territory. A child born in Oman to foreign parents does not acquire Omani nationality, regardless of the duration of the parents’ residence.
Exception: A child of unknown parentage found in Omani territory (foundling) is deemed Omani until proven otherwise.
By Descent (Jus Sanguinis)
Omani nationality is transmitted primarily through the father:
- Father is Omani: A child acquires Omani nationality automatically at birth, regardless of the mother’s nationality or the place of birth.
- Mother is Omani, father is foreign: The child does not automatically acquire Omani nationality. However, the 2014 law introduced a significant reform: children of Omani mothers and foreign fathers may apply for Omani nationality upon reaching age 18, subject to approval by the Ministry of Interior. This must be initiated within one year of the child’s 18th birthday.
- Children born abroad to an Omani father must be registered with an Omani diplomatic mission to secure documentation of their nationality.
Historical note: Prior to the 2014 reform, children of Omani mothers and foreign fathers had no legal pathway to Omani nationality whatsoever. The reform was a partial step toward addressing gender discrimination, though it falls short of automatic transmission.
By Adoption
Omani law follows Islamic jurisprudence (Ibadi school), which does not recognize formal legal adoption. Kafala (guardianship) exists but does not confer Omani nationality on the child.
By Marriage
A foreign woman who marries an Omani man may apply for Omani nationality after 10 years of continuous marriage, provided she renounces her prior nationality.
Conditions:
- The marriage must have been pre-approved by the Ministry of Interior (Omani men are required to obtain government permission to marry foreign women).
- The couple must have been living together continuously throughout the period.
- Full renunciation of all prior nationalities is mandatory before the grant.
- The application is subject to security review and ministerial discretion.
A foreign man who marries an Omani woman gains no preferential path to naturalization. He must meet the standard 20-year residency requirement.
By Naturalization (Residency)
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Residency (general) | 20 years of continuous lawful residence in Oman |
| Residency (Arab nationals) | 10 years of continuous lawful residence |
| Language | Proficiency in Arabic |
| Financial standing | Legitimate and sufficient source of income; financial self-sufficiency |
| Character | No criminal record; good conduct and reputation |
| Health | Free from communicable diseases |
| Renunciation | Must renounce all prior nationalities |
| Approval | By Royal Decree on recommendation of the Minister of Interior |
In practice: Naturalization in Oman is extremely rare and entirely at the Sultan’s discretion. The published requirements represent the minimum threshold — meeting them does not create any entitlement. The Sultan retains the absolute power to grant Omani nationality by decree to any individual, bypassing all standard requirements, typically for persons who have rendered exceptional service to the Sultanate or for geopolitical reasons.
The total number of naturalizations granted annually is not publicly disclosed, but is understood to be very small.
Loss and Renunciation
Voluntary Renunciation
An Omani citizen may renounce nationality if they have acquired or been assured another citizenship. Renunciation requires a formal application to and approval by the Ministry of Interior.
Involuntary Loss
| Ground | Details |
|---|---|
| Acquisition of foreign citizenship | Automatic loss upon voluntarily acquiring citizenship of another country |
| Foreign military service | Service in a foreign military or security force without Omani government authorization |
| Foreign government employment | Working for a foreign government in a capacity deemed prejudicial to Oman’s interests |
| Fraud | Naturalization obtained through fraud or false representation |
| State security | Acts prejudicial to the security or sovereign interests of the Sultanate |
| Extended absence | Naturalized citizens residing outside Oman for an extended period without justification (discretionary) |
Restoration of Nationality
Persons who lost Omani nationality may apply for restoration through the Ministry of Interior. Restoration is discretionary and typically requires:
- Return to Oman and establishment of permanent residence.
- Full renunciation of any foreign nationality acquired.
- Demonstration of continued ties to Oman and good conduct.
- Approval by Royal Decree.
Children who lost Omani nationality due to their father’s loss of citizenship may apply independently for restoration upon reaching adulthood. The 2014 law clarified these provisions but did not create an automatic right of restoration.
Stateless Persons and Foundlings
Oman is not a signatory to the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons or the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.
- Foundlings: A child of unknown parentage found in Oman is presumed Omani until proven otherwise.
- Bidoon population: Oman has a small but undisclosed number of Bidoon (stateless residents) — persons who have lived in Oman for generations but lack formal citizenship documentation. The government has periodically addressed individual cases through naturalization decrees but has not implemented a systematic resolution program.
Document Checklist
Valid passport and current Omani residency card
Birth certificate (authenticated, translated to Arabic, attested by Omani embassy)
Marriage certificate (if applying via marriage — must show Ministry of Interior pre-approval)
Police clearance certificate from Oman and all countries of prior residence
Proof of continuous residence for 20 years (or 10 for Arab nationals)
Proof of income, employment, or financial self-sufficiency
Arabic language proficiency evidence
Certificate of renunciation from prior nationality
Medical fitness certificate
Passport-size photographs (recent, white background)
Application submitted to Royal Oman Police — Directorate General of Civil Status
Sources
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Royal Decree No. 38/2014 — Omani Citizenship Law. https://www.rop.gov.om/
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Royal Oman Police — Civil Status Services. https://www.rop.gov.om/
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Oman Ministry of Foreign Affairs. https://www.mofa.gov.om/
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Basic Statute of the State (Oman’s Constitution), 2021 revision — Articles on nationality. https://www.mjla.gov.om/
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UNHCR — Nationality and Statelessness in the Gulf. https://www.unhcr.org/
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Global Citizenship Observatory (GLOBALCIT) — Oman. https://globalcit.eu/