Oman has passed a new Real Estate Registry Law that allows non-Omanis, foreign companies, and other legal entities to own property nationwide. The reform is paired with a new sponsor-free residence permit for property owners, creating a lighter property-linked residence option alongside Oman’s existing investor residency tracks.
Foreign property ownership expanded
Foreign ownership in Oman was previously largely limited to designated tourism developments under the Integrated Tourism Complex framework.
The new Real Estate Registry Law removes that geographic limitation, subject to executive regulations that have not yet been published. It also modernizes the legal basis for title registration by recognizing electronic records and digital contracts with the same force as paper deeds.
The law also covers preliminary registrations for off-plan units and land still under development. This means buyers do not have to wait for a completed, fully registered property to qualify under the new framework.
New “Owner” residence permit
Alongside the ownership reform, Oman’s Royal Police issued Decision No. 87/2026, creating a new “Owner” residence permit.
The permit is linked directly to continued property ownership and can cover the property owner and immediate family.
Key features include:
- Renewable validity of six months to one year
- No minimum investment threshold
- Sponsor-free residence for qualifying property owners
- Residence rights tied to continued ownership of the property
This new permit does not replace Oman’s existing Golden and Silver Investor Residency tracks. Those five- and ten-year investor permits remain available but require substantially larger investments, from roughly US$650,000 to US$1.3 million.
The existing investor residency tracks also carry broader privileges, including GCC-wide travel, sponsorship rights, and business ownership.
Sponsorship rules broadened
The reform also expands who can act as a sponsor for a foreign resident.
Foreign property owners and licensed foreign investors have been added to a sponsor list that previously centered on Omani and GCC nationals.
Position within the Gulf
The reform follows property and residency openings in neighboring Gulf markets, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
Oman’s approach is presented as more gradual and structural, focused on title certainty, enforceable digital contracts, and a clearer legal framework rather than only low entry thresholds.
Oman’s positioning may appeal to buyers looking for political stability, a slower pace of life, and comparatively fast visa processing, rather than the higher-density investment environments of larger Gulf markets.
One caveat is taxation. Oman is expected to become the first GCC state to introduce personal income tax from 2028. This may matter for buyers comparing Oman with zero-income-tax neighbors over a longer time horizon.
Who may benefit
The reform may be most relevant for:
- Existing expatriates in Oman who want to move from renting and sponsor-dependent residency to property ownership and independent residence rights for their families
- GCC-based investors and family offices seeking diversification into a jurisdiction with a modernized title system
- Buyers priced out of, or looking beyond, the UAE and Saudi markets
What remains unclear
The executive regulations have not yet been published. These will determine how the new ownership and residence framework works in practice.
Until those implementing details are available, prospective buyers should treat the framework as newly announced and still developing. Independent legal advice in Oman is recommended before making commitments.
Source article: knightsbridge.ae
