Oman’s Investor Residency Programme lets foreign investors secure long-term residence in the Sultanate without giving up their citizenship or paying personal income tax. This guide compares the 5-year and 10-year tiers side by side, sets out the investment thresholds in Omani rials, explains the eligible routes and weighs up the benefits for 2026.
How the programme works
Introduced to support Vision 2040 and attract long-term capital, the Investor Residency Programme grants a renewable residency permit tied to a qualifying investment. It comes in two main tiers: a five-year permit for mid-level investors and a ten-year permit for larger commitments. Both are renewable provided the investment is maintained, and neither imposes a minimum number of days you must physically spend in Oman each year.
5-year vs 10-year at a glance
| Feature | 5-year permit | 10-year permit |
|---|---|---|
| Indicative investment | From around OMR 250,000 | From around OMR 500,000 |
| Renewable | Yes, if investment held | Yes, if investment held |
| Family included | Spouse and dependent children | Spouse and dependent children |
| Minimum stay | No annual residency minimum | No annual residency minimum |
Exact minimums vary by route and are periodically adjusted, so always confirm the current figure with the Royal Oman Police or an accredited consultancy before committing funds.
Eligible investment routes
1. Property in Integrated Tourism Complexes
The most popular route is buying freehold residential property inside a designated Integrated Tourism Complex (ITC) — the developments where foreign nationals may own real estate outright, such as Al Mouj Muscat. Property values in the ITCs have risen strongly, which you can read about in our coverage of the Muscat real estate boom. Higher property values move you into the ten-year tier.
2. Bank deposit
Placing a fixed deposit, commonly cited from around OMR 250,000 held for five years at a licensed Omani bank, qualifies for the five-year permit. It is the simplest passive route for investors who prefer not to buy property.
3. Capital and business investment
Committing capital to an Omani company or approved commercial venture is eligible, typically with a requirement to show active management and job creation for Omani nationals. Investment in government bonds or Capital Market Authority-listed funds is also accepted as a passive vehicle.
4. Retiree route
Oman also offers a residency pathway for financially self-sufficient retirees who can demonstrate stable income or funds, allowing older applicants to settle without running a business or buying at the top thresholds.
How the tiers compare in practice
The choice between the two permits usually comes down to how much capital you want to commit and how long a horizon you are planning for. A five-year permit via a bank deposit is the lightest-touch option: your capital stays liquid at maturity and you avoid the transaction costs of buying property. A five-year permit through an ITC apartment gives you a usable home or a rental asset alongside the residency. The ten-year permit, tied to a larger property or capital commitment, rewards investors who are confident about staying in the region and want to avoid re-qualifying every five years. Because Oman levies no annual property tax and no personal income tax, the ongoing cost of holding the residency is low once the investment is in place.
What it costs beyond the investment
On top of the qualifying investment you should budget for property registration and transfer fees, an ITC service charge where relevant, medical insurance, and application and issuance fees for each family member. Processing typically takes two to four months from a complete submission. If you buy property, factor in ongoing service and maintenance charges and, if you plan to let the unit, property-management fees.
How Oman compares in the Gulf
Oman’s programme sits alongside similar long-term residency schemes across the region, and each has a different entry point and character. The UAE Golden Visa and Bahrain’s Golden Residency are the best-known alternatives, while Saudi Arabia offers its Premium Residency. Oman’s pitch is a lower cost of living than Dubai, a relaxed lifestyle and genuine freehold ownership inside the ITCs, backed by the Vision 2040 diversification drive. Investors weighing their options often look at property fundamentals first, and Muscat’s market has been one of the region’s steadier performers.
The benefits
- No personal income tax, capital gains tax or wealth tax on individuals
- Long-term, renewable residence without renouncing your current nationality
- Family inclusion for spouse and dependent children
- Freedom to live, and in many cases work or run a business, in the Sultanate
- No minimum annual stay, useful for globally mobile investors
Residency also makes day-to-day life simpler, from opening accounts to renewing a resident card and accessing local services.
Bottom line
The five-year permit, from roughly OMR 250,000 via property or a bank deposit, suits investors testing the market or seeking a lower entry point. The ten-year permit, from around OMR 500,000, is aimed at those making a larger, long-horizon commitment and wanting the security of a decade of renewable residence. With no income tax and no annual stay requirement, Oman’s offer is competitive within the Gulf — but confirm the live thresholds before you transfer any funds, as they are updated from time to time.
Read next: Oman Family & Dependent Visa 2026: Salary, Costs & Steps
Primary source: the Royal Oman Police eVisa portal.
