Oman: Nationality Rules Relaxed

Oman has relaxed its nationality rules, including liberalizing eligibility requirements. Foreign nationals can now apply for Omani citizenship after 15 years of continuous legal residence, down from 20 years, unless a more favorable nationality rule applies (like those applicable to foreign spouses of Omani nationals, among others). Additionally, the maximum allowable annual absence without affecting continuous legal residence for citizenship eligibility has increased to 90 days, up from 60 days. Furthermore, Omani citizenship can now be revoked if a citizen resides outside Oman for more than two consecutive years without a valid reason, replacing the stricter previous rule of six consecutive months within a 10-year period. In addition to these reforms, nationalization rules were relaxed for foreign national spouses of Omani nationals, foreign national widows of Omani men, foreign national divorcees of Omani men, and the children of foreign national fathers and Omani mothers.