Oman opened a property-linked investment residency track under Royal Decree 32/2026, aimed at international buyers who commit capital inside approved Investment and Technology Center (ITC) zones. The headline threshold is OMR 250,000 in qualifying property, maintained for as long as the visa remains active.
What investment amount and property rules apply?
Oman investment residency under Royal Decree 32/2026 requires a minimum OMR 250,000 (about USD 650,000) property purchase inside approved ITC zone boundaries. The asset must stay registered for the full 10-year initial visa term, and holders must spend at least 30 days per year in Oman.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum property | OMR 250,000 (USD 650,000) in approved ITC zones |
| Maintenance | Hold qualifying investment for visa period |
| Physical presence | At least 30 days per year in Oman |
| Initial visa term | 10 years, renewable subject to compliance |
Invest Gulf underwriting: verify the current property register and zone list with Oman’s investment authority before wiring funds; decree text can narrow eligible project types.
Threshold checklist (citable): Oman’s 2026 investor residency is a property-linked permit that starts at OMR 250,000, or roughly USD 650,000, inside designated Investment and Technology Center zones. The initial stamp runs 10 years and renews only while the qualifying asset remains held at or above the threshold. Physical presence of at least 30 days each year is required to keep residency active. Compared with UAE Golden Visa property routes commonly modelled at AED 2 million, Oman trades broader city choice for a longer first stamp and a stricter zone map. Buyers should confirm title sits inside the official ITC boundary, not merely in a marketing brochure labelled investment friendly, and should budget Omani counsel fees separately from the purchase price. Our underwriting treats the USD 650,000 figure as the planning floor for international clients until the live register shows a different qualifying band.
Which ITC zones qualify in 2026?
Qualifying ITC zones in 2026 are Duqm Special Economic Zone, Salalah Free Zone, Sohar Port and Free Zone, and Knowledge Oasis Muscat for foreign buyers seeking the investor route. Title in the area must sit inside official maps for the OMR 250,000 (USD 650,000) threshold to count toward the 10-year visa.
- Duqm: industrial and logistics-led growth inventory
- Salalah Free Zone: port-linked free-zone product
- Sohar Port and Free Zone: industrial and trade-adjacent stock
- Knowledge Oasis Muscat: technology and office-led units
Our research flags zone-boundary deeds as the first diligence item, ahead of fit-out quality.
What residency benefits does the visa include?
Oman investment residency benefits are a 10-year initial stamp for the investor and immediate family, plus a potential permanent-residency pathway after 20 years of continuous compliant investment. Official materials also allow designated-zone ownership and business permissions, while the 30-day presence rule still applies to foreign buyers.
For day-to-day living expectations in ITC areas, see Oman ITC visa living.
- 10-year renewable residency while the OMR 250,000 (USD 650,000) asset is held
- Designated-zone ownership rights subject to ITC maps
- Business establishment permissions under sector rules
- Potential permanent residency after 20 years of compliance
Invest Gulf notes the presence rule before modelling any dual-country lifestyle.
How does Oman compare with UAE and Saudi property residency?
Oman residency via property typically starts at OMR 250,000 (USD 650,000), near UAE AED 2 million Golden Visa routes and below Saudi Premium Residency near SAR 4 million. Oman allows a 10-year initial stamp versus the UAE typical 5-year rhythm when foreign buyers compare GCC options.
| Program | Property hurdle (indicative) | Initial term |
|---|---|---|
| Oman ITC investor | OMR 250K (USD 650K) | 10 years |
| UAE Golden Visa (property) | AED 2M (verify ICA) | 5 years renewable |
| Saudi Premium Residency | SAR 4M property track | Per current premium rules |
GCC residency comparison (citable): For property-linked residency planning in 2026, Oman sets the ITC floor at OMR 250,000 (about USD 650,000) with a 10-year initial visa, while UAE Golden Visa property routes are commonly underwritten at AED 2 million with a 5-year renewable rhythm. Saudi Premium Residency property tracks near SAR 4 million sit materially higher for buyers comparing absolute tickets. Oman can suit investors who accept ITC zone maps and thinner secondary liquidity in exchange for a longer first stamp and a 30-day annual presence rule. UAE still leads for resale depth and banking rails when exit optionality within 24 months matters more than stamp length. Our analysts model all three as planning bands that must be re-checked against ICA, Saudi Premium Residency rules, and Omani zone registers before funds move.
Deep dives: UAE Golden Visa property, Golden Visa vs investor visa UAE, Saudi Arabia vs UAE Golden Visa, Dubai vs Muscat property.
What economic impact does Oman expect?
Oman stated economic aim is roughly 5,000 residency applications within 3 years and about OMR 1.25 billion (near USD 3.2 billion) in property-linked inflows if uptake matches forecasts. Treat those figures as policy intent for the area, not guaranteed private absorption.
- 5,000 applications is a ceiling scenario in launch materials
- USD 3.2 billion is policy intent, not a private absorption forecast
- Resale timing should ignore brochure macro targets
Our analysis treats the 5,000-application figure as a ceiling scenario, not a base case for resale timing.
How does the application process usually run?
Application files typically require property inside an ITC zone, clean title, immigration linkage, medical and security checks, then the 10-year stamp. Timelines often stretch 60 to 120 days after registration for completed units bought by foreign buyers, and longer for off-plan stock.
- Confirm ITC boundary and OMR 250,000 (USD 650,000) eligibility
- Complete purchase and register title
- File residency with deed evidence
- Complete medical and security checks
- Collect visa and diary the 30-day presence rule
Insider tip: Ask counsel to certify the unit’s cadastral polygon against the live ITC map before you pay the reservation fee; marketing labels such as “near Duqm” do not qualify.
What market response followed the decree?
Market response after Royal Decree 32/2026 is concentrated on whether Duqm and secondary ITC cities can deliver deed-ready stock at OMR 250,000 (USD 650,000) over the next 24 months. Resale depth in the area should be treated as thinner than Dubai for foreign buyers until registrar volumes prove otherwise.
- Watch ITC registrar volumes before assuming UAE-like exits
- Stress-test a 24-month hold if the unit is off-plan
- Keep Muscat lifestyle preferences separate from ITC legal eligibility
We compare Oman ITC tickets with UAE freehold exits when clients need a 5-year liquidity path.
Comparing GCC residency through property?
See how Oman, UAE, and Saudi thresholds fit your budget and timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Oman's new investor residency requires a minimum OMR 250,000 (USD 650,000) property investment in designated Investment and Technology Centers (ITC zones). This investment must be maintained for the duration of the residency period to remain eligible.
The program covers designated Investment and Technology Centers including Duqm Special Economic Zone, Salalah Free Zone, Sohar Port and Free Zone, and Knowledge Oasis Muscat. Properties must be within these approved ITC boundaries to qualify for residency benefits.
The investment residency visa is initially issued for 10 years and is renewable upon maintaining the OMR 250,000 minimum investment threshold. Holders must spend at least 30 days annually in Oman to maintain active residency status.
Benefits include 10-year renewable residency for the investor and immediate family, property ownership rights in designated zones, business establishment permissions, and potential pathway to permanent residency after 20 years of continuous investment.
Oman requires OMR 250K (USD 650K) versus UAE's AED 2M (USD 545K) for property investors. Oman offers longer initial validity (10 vs 5 years) but UAE provides broader geographic investment options and established international business infrastructure.
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