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In a significant move to attract foreign investment and top-tier talent, Oman has officially launched its much-anticipated 10-year “Golden Residency” programme, offering long-term residency to eligible investors and skilled professionals through seven distinct investment routes, starting from OMR200,000.
The announcement was made during an event on Sunday, August 31, in Salalah, hosted by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP) under the theme ‘Sustainable Business Environment’. The event was held under the patronage of Sayyid Marwan bin Turki al Said, governor of Dhofar, and attended by senior officials from both the public and private sectors.
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The programme aligns with Oman Vision 2040, targeting private-sector growth, employment generation, and advanced knowledge transfer.
According to the Oman Observer, the Golden Residency initiative reflects Oman’s ambition to develop a sustainable, investor-friendly ecosystem. As Muscat Daily reported, the launch is part of a wider package of reforms aimed at enhancing the country’s business climate and drawing long-term capital.
“The Golden Residency is not merely a residence permit; it is Oman’s commitment to creating a balanced environment for investors that combines opportunity, stability, and a quality lifestyle,” said Nasima bint Yahya al Balushi, Director General of the Investors Services Centre at MoCIIP.
Oman currently ranks fourth globally in the 2024 Quality of Life Index, a Muscat Daily report noted.
The seven investment pathways
The Golden Residency offers flexibility, with applicants eligible through any one of seven qualifying routes, each with a minimum investment of OMR200,000, unless specified otherwise:
- Company establishment: Must be at least one year old, with the applicant’s stake in total assets valued at OMR200,000+.
- Real estate in ITCs: Ownership of completed residential, commercial, or tourism units with a title deed. If held through a company, a certified final balance sheet is required.
- Government development bonds: Bonds held in the applicant’s name with at least two years to maturity.
- Listed equities: Market value of publicly traded shares registered to the applicant must equal or exceed OMR200,000.
- Fixed bank deposit: OMR200,000+ placed in a local bank for five years, renewable throughout the residency term.
- Job creation: Ownership of a company employing at least 50 Omani nationals and capital exceeding OMR200,000.
- Foreign investment law companies: Companies registered under Oman’s foreign investment regime can nominate a partner or senior-level professional. More nominations are allowed as capital scales up.
Comprehensive residency benefits
The Golden Residency is structured to offer an appealing lifestyle and business-friendly perks, including:
- Fast-track lanes at airports and border crossings.
- Family inclusion, covering first-degree relatives without limit on number or age.
- Real estate ownership rights beyond ITC zones, subject to legal restrictions; ownership is transferable.
- Permission to employ up to three domestic workers.
- Ability to issue visit visas for extended family members.
Residency holders will also have access to the Invest in Oman platform, which offers end-to-end services from business establishment to expansion.
Global outreach strategy
To ensure broad international participation, the government has partnered with Alam Al Hijrah (Migration World), a state-accredited investment migration consultancy established in 2007. With a global presence in over 60 locations across North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond, the firm is tasked with promoting the programme internationally.
Activities include digital marketing, participation in investor summits, and strategic alliances, all in coordination with MoCIIP.
“By linking residency to tangible financial inputs, like equity, bonds, real estate, and job creation, Oman is sending a clear message: it is open for serious, long-term business,” said a government spokesperson.
Elite companies programme launched
In parallel with the Golden Residency rollout, MoCIIP also introduced another reform-driven initiative: the Elite Companies programme.
Developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, Tax Authority, Royal Oman Police, and the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the programme seeks to recognise and empower high-performing Omani companies.
Eligible companies will be classified into three categories based on governance, economic contribution, and operational efficiency. To qualify, a company must:
- Be legally registered in Oman
- Employ at least one Omani national
- Comply with all relevant laws and regulations
Additional evaluation metrics include company age, revenue, export volume, Omanisation rate, and market presence.
The initiative aims to support these firms’ domestic and international growth, while fostering innovation, competitiveness, and a stronger Omani private sector.
Strategic vision for a new era
The dual launch of the Golden Residency and Elite Companies programmes marks a pivotal moment in Oman’s economic reform journey. By combining investor-friendly policies with incentives for local business excellence, Oman aims to build a resilient, diversified, and globally integrated economy.
“These programmes are not just policy shifts, they are strategic moves towards realising Oman Vision 2040,” said an MoCIIP official. “We are building the foundation for a thriving, innovative economy that competes on the world stage.”
