The Sultanate of Oman has officially opened its real estate market to foreign buyers. Under the new Real Estate Registry Law, non-Omanis, foreign companies, and legal entities can now buy and own property across the entire country.
Alongside this trade reform, the Royal Oman Police issued Decision No. 87/2026 on June 21, 2026, creating a brand new Oman property residency option. This new “Owner” residence permit went into force on June 22 and allows foreigners to live in Oman without needing a local sponsor.
The New "Owner" Permit vs. Investor Residency
Previously, foreigners could only buy property in specific tourist zones. The new law extends ownership nationwide. The new “Owner” permit is directly tied to the property and offers an accessible path to residency, though its benefits differ from Oman’s premium tiers:
- The New “Owner” Permit: This is a short-term, renewable visa valid for six months to one year. It allows the owner and their first-degree relatives to live in Oman as long as they hold the property asset. There is no official minimum property price floor mentioned for this entry-level track.
- The Investor Residency Program (Golden & Silver Visas): These premium options remain unchanged. The 10-year Golden Visa requires an investment of OMR 500,000 (about US$1.3 million), and the 5-year Silver Visa requires OMR 250,000 (about US$650,000). Unlike the basic Owner permit, these longer-term visas grant extra privileges, including visa-free travel across the GCC countries and the right to sponsor domestic staff.
Off-Plan Property and Digital Deeds Allowed
The updated law builds a much cleaner system for international buyers. For the first time, electronic records and digital property contracts will have the exact same legal power as paper deeds.
Crucially, the law also covers off-plan property sales (properties that are still under construction). Foreigners buying unregistered land designated for construction or unfinished housing units can also qualify for the new sponsor-free Owner residence permit.
Additionally, the law expands who can act as a visa sponsor in Oman. Sponsors can now include Omani citizens, GCC nationals, licensed foreign investors, and expatriates working for government entities.
Why Oman is Changing Its Laws
Property experts view this reform as a smart step in Oman’s long-term plan to diversify its economy away from oil. Neighboring countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have already relaxed their property laws, and Oman is moving forward to stay competitive.
“International capital does not chase the lowest threshold; it chases certainty of title and rule of law,” said Vito Magagnino, CEO of Swiss advisory firm Mirabello Consultancy. He explained that Oman’s new digital property registry signals “maturity rather than desperation.”
Oman offers unique advantages for global investors, including political neutrality, a peaceful lifestyle with plenty of nature, fast visa processing times of three to six weeks, and no personal income tax (though a personal income tax is planned for 2028).
Who Benefits the Most?
The immediate beneficiaries of this law will be the tens of thousands of expatriates already living and working in Oman. They can now buy their homes outright and secure sponsor-free residency for their families, turning transient workers into long-term stakeholders.
The second wave of buyers is expected to be GCC-based investors and family offices looking for a stable, neutral base during times of regional tension. Authorities are expected to publish the full executive regulations soon, which will bring even more clarity to the market.
