Oman visa Immigration

Tucked away on the southern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen, Oman has a great deal to offer foreign tourists, workers, and investors. While it may appear to be a small country, Oman is, in fact, nearly 30% larger than the UK but has a population of only five million. As the oldest independent state in the Arab region, Oman is a rich blend of cultures from east and west and is known for its terraced orchards, fortresses, ancient mosques, rolling sand dunes, and vibrant culture. Like many modern countries, Oman offers a wide range of visa types catering for differing circumstances. Reiss Edwards have the experience and in-country contacts to enable you to make a successful immigration application for Oman to meet your short and long-term needs and those of your family members.

What Types Of Visas Are Available In Oman?

The following lists the types of visas that are available in Oman:

Employment Visa

Employment visas for Oman are granted at the request of Omani employers for foreign nationals. In most cases, a labour permit will also need to be issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in Oman. Employment visas in Oman are valid for up to two years. Applicants must be aged between 21 and 60. While employment visas in Oman can be extended without limit, a route to permanent residency is not available.

In addition, the MOM restricts which professions are eligible for an employment visa, including in the fields of accounting and finance, administration and human resources, airport professionals, engineering, insurance, Information Technology, marketing and sales, media, medicine, and technical professionals.

Visit Visa

Investors’ Visa

Investor visas are issued to eligible entrepreneurs and investors relocating to Oman to manage their businesses. Omani investor visas are typically issued for up to two years, however, this can be renewed if necessary. In order to be granted an investor visa in Oman, applicants need written approval from the country’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry. They also require an investor work permit from the Ministry of Manpower and a residency permit from the Directorate General of Passport and Residence (DGPR);

Family Joining Visa

The Omani family joining visa is granted to:

• spouses and children under 21 of foreign employees in Oman, and;
• foreign wives of Omani citizens in this case, the Omani citizen has to request the family joining visa and must have a Ministry of Interior’s certificate to validate the marriage.

Family visas are issued for up to two years.

Study Visa

Study visas in Oman are issued to international students attending a licensed educational / training institution. If granted, study visas in Oman are typically valid for up to one to two years. If necessary, study visas can be renewed as long as a letter of support is provided by the Omani educational / training institution.

Nationals from the following countries do not require a visa to travel to Oman:

• Bahrain
• Kuwait
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• The United Arab Emirates

Can I Gain Permanent Residency In Oman?

In most cases, those who wish to stay long-term in Oman will need to renew their visa and permit periodically to ensure they remain valid. There is no route to permanent residency within the Omani immigration system, however, it is possible to gain long-term residency under some routes.

It has recently been announced that Oman will start granting five or ten-year residency visas to investors. This new scheme is called the Investment Residency Programme (IRP) and will launch in September 2021. The IRP is intended to encourage investment into several sectors, including tourism, mining, logistics, agriculture, fisheries, education, health and information technology.

In order to gain citizenship in Oman, foreign nationals typically need to prove their Omani ancestry.

Why Choose An Immigration Lawyer To Assist With Your Oman Visa?

The Oman immigration system offers a wide range of visas and limited long-term residence options. Using the services of an immigration lawyer with expertise in Oman immigration law will ensure that from the outset, you are on the best pathway towards achieving your long term goals. Securing the services of an immigration lawyer will provide you with considerable peace of mind that your matter is in the best possible hands, and you have the very best chance of receiving a positive decision on your application. In addition, because your immigration lawyer will be handling the end-to-end process on your behalf, you can focus on what is most important; your family, your work, and your business. An immigration lawyer will:

• Explain your options fully and clearly
• Ensure that your application and supporting documents are complete prior to submission (we have a robust quality assurance process to ensure this is always the case). We will often ‘front-load’ applications to ensure that every detail and piece of evidence is needed to satisfy the requirements of the case officer handling your application.
• Deal with the immigration authorities directly on your behalf.

How We Can Help

Reiss Edwards’ specialist team of immigration solicitors has a comprehensive understanding of the processes, procedures, and rules of the global mobility and immigration pathways in each jurisdiction in which we operate. We are ready to help make your immigration easy and swift. For further information, inquiries, and assistance, contact us today on 020 3744 2797 or email us at info@reissedwards.co.uk.