156 Expats Get Citizenship in Gulf Country

Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik has issued a royal decree granting Omani citizenship to over 150 foreign nationals. Royal Decree No. 17/2025 officially confers Omani nationality on 156 expatriates.

Earlier this year, in February, significant changes were introduced to the country’s citizenship policies through the new Omani Nationality Law. This updated legislation, enacted under Royal Decree No. 17/2025, replaced the previous law established by Royal Decree No. 38/2014 and took effect on February 2, 2025.

The revised law outlines comprehensive criteria and procedures for acquiring Omani citizenship. It provides several routes to eligibility, including birth within an Omani family, marriage to an Omani national, and naturalization. Each pathway is subject to specific conditions—for instance, requirements related to parentage for birthright citizenship, minimum years of marriage for spouses, and residency criteria for naturalization. Provisions regarding citizenship by descent are also clearly detailed.

One of the key principles of the updated law is that dual nationality is not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a royal decree. According to Article 23, Omani citizens who obtain another nationality in breach of this regulation automatically forfeit their Omani citizenship.

The law also includes clauses affecting nationality through marriage. A foreign man who gains citizenship by marrying an Omani woman may lose it if the marriage ends within five years due to divorce or abandonment. However, the loss of the father’s nationality does not extend to his children—they retain their Omani status. Similarly, a foreign woman who acquires citizenship through marriage to an Omani man will lose it if she later divorces and marries a non-Omani citizen. The change takes effect from the date of her second marriage.

Under Article 26, citizenship can be revoked if an individual is found guilty of insulting the Sultan or the nation, whether through speech or actions. Association with groups that pose a threat to Oman’s national interests may also result in the loss of citizenship.

The law further stipulates that nationals employed by foreign governments in roles contrary to Omani interests, who refuse to step down after official warnings, may be stripped of their nationality. This also applies to those working for countries considered adversaries of Oman.

Despite these strict conditions, the law provides a pathway for citizenship to be restored if the reasons for its revocation are no longer valid. Article 27 allows for withdrawal of citizenship from those convicted of crimes against the state or who receive multiple felony convictions within five years of naturalization. Furthermore, individuals who reside outside Oman for more than two consecutive years without a justified reason may also risk losing their nationality.

These updates to the Omani Nationality Law underscore the government’s commitment to safeguarding national identity and ensuring that citizenship is granted and maintained under clearly defined, rigorous standards.