Oman has clarified that recent changes to its residency regulations do not expand property ownership rights for foreign nationals, saying non-Omanis can still buy real estate only in areas permitted under existing laws.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning said amendments to the executive regulations of the Foreigners’ Residence Law deal only with residency rights and should not be interpreted as opening the country’s property market to foreign buyers, according to a Gulf News report.
Where foreigners can buy property
The ministry said foreign ownership remains restricted to designated locations under the current legal framework. These include integrated tourism complexes (ITCs), future cities such as Sultan Haitham City, Al Thuraya City and Al Jabal Al Aali, as well as integrated residential neighbourhoods including Surouh.It added that citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries continue to be governed by separate GCC agreements and Omani regulations that specify where property ownership is permitted.
The ministry stressed that the recent residency amendments do not change the country’s existing property ownership laws. It reiterated that ownership rights for non-Omanis remain confined to locations specified under current legislation.
The statement was issued to address confusion created after the residency reforms were announced, reaffirming that the legal framework governing foreign property ownership in Oman remains unchanged.
