Overview on Oman’s New Citizenship Law

Oman’s New Citizenship Law

On February 2, 2025, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman issued Royal Decree No. (17/2025), approving a new citizenship law that replaces the previous legislation from 2014. This law introduces a stricter framework for acquiring, retaining, and revoking Omani nationality, raising concerns over its impact on human rights, women’s rights, residency conditions for foreign nationals, and freedom of expression. Below is an in-depth analysis of the new Omani citizenship law, its key provisions, and the international concerns it has sparked.

Key Provisions of Oman’s New Citizenship Law

I.      Increased Residency Requirements for Foreign Nationals

Under Article 17, foreign nationals seeking Omani citizenship must now fulfill the following conditions:

i.    Reside lawfully and continuously in Oman for at least 20 years (previously 15 years), with no more than 90 days of absence per year.

ii.   Be proficient in reading and writing Arabic.

iii.  Maintain good conduct and behavior with no prior felony convictions.

iv.  Be in good health and free from infectious diseases.

v.   Have a legitimate source of income to support themselves and their dependents.

vi.  Renounce their current nationality and ensure they do not hold dual citizenship.

This new requirement extends the residency period and significantly limits travel opportunities for foreign nationals related to education, work, or personal matters.

II.        Tighter Conditions for Citizenship of Foreign Wives

Foreign Omani Women (Article 19).

The foreign woman, being the wife of an Omani man, is eligible for application for citizenship on the conditions that:

i.     She is married for not less than 10 years (previously 5 years) and has remained resident in Oman continuously.

ii.    The couple should have at least two children (previously one).

iii.   She can read and write Arabic language.

iv.   She possesses a clean record in regard to criminal activities.

v.    She abandons her foreign nationality.

Foreign Husbands of Omani Women (Article 18)

A foreign man married to an Omani woman may apply for citizenship if:

i.      They have been married for at least 12 years (previously 10 years) and continuously resided in Oman.

ii.    They have at least two children together.

iii.   They meet all general eligibility requirements in Article 17.

The increased residency requirements for foreign spouses impose additional barriers and highlight gender disparities in the law.

III.          Strict Regulations for Children of Omani Mothers (Article 22)

Children born to an Omani mother and a foreign father can be granted Omani nationality only under specific conditions:

i.      The mother must be widowed or divorced for at least five years, or

ii.    The father must have been absent or abandoned the family for at least ten years (proven by a court ruling).

iii.   The child must have continuously resided in Oman for at least 10 years (previously 5 years).

iv.   The child must have good conduct and behavior and no prior felony convictions.

v.    The legal guardian (if any) must provide written consent for obtaining Omani nationality.

This restrictive clause could leave many children stateless, as it denies automatic citizenship to children of Omani mothers married to foreign fathers, while Omani men can automatically pass on citizenship to their children.

Loss and Revocation of Citizenship

Grounds for Loss of Omani Citizenship

Under the new law, Omani nationality will be automatically revoked if an individual:

i.      Acquires another nationality without official approval.

ii.    Obtained Omani citizenship through falsified documents.

iii.   Is convicted of crimes related to national security.

iv.   Lives outside Oman for over 24 consecutive months without valid justification.

v.    Is a foreign spouse who remarries a non-Omani after divorcing an Omani national.

Controversial Citizenship Revocation Provisions (Article 26)

One of the most controversial aspects of the law is the ability to revoke citizenship under vague criteria, including:

      i.        Criticizing the Sultan or the Omani government (verbally or physically).

    ii.        Being a member of a group, party, or organization that the government deems harmful to Oman’s interests.

   iii.        Engaging in activities for foreign governments that conflict with Oman’s national interests.

   iv.        Working for a hostile country engaged in actions against Oman.

This provision raises concerns over freedom of expression, as it allows authorities to suppress political opposition and silence dissenting voices by revoking their nationality.

Legal Penalties for Violating Citizenship Laws

      i.        Providing false information to obtain citizenship

Punishable by 3 to 5 years in prison (previously 1 to 3 years) and fines ranging from OMR 10,000 to OMR 20,000.

    ii.        Violating citizenship regulations

May result in loss of Omani nationality and deportation.

International Human Rights Concerns

The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) and other international organizations have raised serious concerns about the law’s compliance with international human rights standards.

Violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The new law contradicts Article 15 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states:

“Everyone has the right to a nationality. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of their nationality nor denied the right to change their nationality.”

Revoking citizenship based on political opinions or criticism of the government violates fundamental human rights and could be used as a tool for political repression.

Gender Discrimination

The law places more stringent requirements on foreign husbands of Omani women compared to foreign wives of Omani men. Additionally, it restricts children of Omani mothers from obtaining nationality, while those born to Omani fathers automatically receive citizenship.

Calls for Reform and Amendments

Human rights organizations have urged the Omani government to:

      i.        Amend the nationality law to align with international human rights standards.

    ii.        Ensure due process by allowing individuals to appeal citizenship revocation decisions.

   iii.        Guarantee freedom of expression and protect citizens from losing their nationality for political reasons.

Conclusion

Oman’s new citizenship law (2025) represents a significant shift in the country’s approach to nationality and immigration. While it establishes stricter criteria for acquiring and maintaining Omani citizenship, it also raises serious concerns regarding human rights violations, political suppression, gender discrimination, and statelessness.

The global community still urges Oman to update its nationality law to the standards of the international human rights framework. The next few months will determine whether the Omani regime will react to these allegations or uphold its restrictive laws, continuing to impact expatriates, foreign spouses, and the opposition.