Oman: Sultan’s Decree No. 38 of 2014 issuing the Omani Citizenship Law

Title

Oman: Sultan’s Decree No. 38 of 2014 issuing the Omani Citizenship Law

Date of adoption

Entry into force

Text versions

Source:

– Official Journal Issue No. 1066 (17 August 2014), accessed: 01 November 2014, http://www.mola.gov.om/officalgazette.aspx

Abstract

This law repeals the old Omani Citizenship Law issued by Sultan’s Decree No. 3 of 1983.

In accordance with Art. 5 of the law, a person may not hold Omani citizenship along with the citizenship of another country unless a Sultan’s Decree authorizes it.

Omani citizens may not renounce their nationality in favour of another until they have fulfilled their obligations and commitments towards the Sultanate. Underage children shall not lose their Omani nationality following their parent’s renunciation unless he has requested it and his new citizenship is granted to them as well (Art. 6).

Art. 11 lists the persons who are considered to be Omani under the law, while Art. 12 lists the conditions that must be met by an Omani who has renounced his Omani nationality in favour of another before he can reclaim it.

Chapter III of this law sets the provisions governing the granting of Omani nationality:

Art. 15 provides that to apply for Omani citizenship, a non-Omani applicant should meet the following conditions:

1. He should have resided in Oman for at least 20 continuous years or, 15 years if married to an Omani woman provided that their marriage shall have taken place after obtaining approval of the Ministry of Interior (“Ministry”) and he shall have a son from his Omani wife.
2. Fluency in Arabic
3. Possessing sound conduct and character
4. Having not been convicted of any crime or offence in breach of trust or honour, unless he has been exonerated.
5. Being disease free
6. Written consent to relinquish current nationality and proof of such.

The foreign wife of an Omani citizen may apply for Omani nationality if she meets the following conditions (Art. 16):

1. Her marriage should have taken place after obtaining approval from the Ministry;
2. She shall have a son from her Omani husband;
3. She should have been married to her Omani husband and resided with him in Oman for at least 10 continuous years;
4. She must be able to communicate in the Arabic language
5. She must possess sound conduct and character and
6. She should not have been convicted of any crime or offence in breach of trust or honour, unless she has been exonerated.
7. Written consent to relinquish current nationality and proof of such.

Art. 17 lists the conditions for the widowed or divorced foreign wife of an Omani citizen to apply for citizenship, while Art. 18 lists the conditions under which children on an Omani woman married to a foreigner may apply for citizenship.