Obtaining an Oman retirement visa is an attractive option for many foreign pensioners thanks to the country’s safety, modern services, affordable living, and tax-friendly rules. The retirement visa allows foreigners to sponsor their family members and have full ownership rights for the purchased property.
In this guide, we’ll break down the main benefits, requirements, and steps to apply for the Oman retirement visa.
Key Points
- Oman attracts foreign retirees because of its safety, political stability, modern infrastructure, high-quality healthcare, affordable cost of living, and tax-friendly system.
- The key advantages of the Oman retirement visa are the five-year renewable residency, property ownership rights, family sponsorship, and access to public services.
- Obtaining an Oman retirement visa has several challenges, such as a high income threshold, prior work history in Oman, health insurance, and limited tax treaties.
5 Reasons Why Oman Appeals to Retirees in 2026
The Oman retirement visa is very popular among foreign retirees. The country offers many benefits like safety, affordable living, and culture. Here are the key reasons why Oman attracts retirees:
Safety and Political Stability
Oman is ranked as one of the safest and most hospitable countries in the Gulf. In fact, Numbeo states that Oman is the 6th safest country. Expats appreciate Oman’s low crime rate (according to Numbeo, it’s only 11.61), outstanding culture and hospitality, which make expats feel like their home.
Modern Infrastructure and High‑quality Healthcare
Government’s Vision 2040 highlights the importance of having high-quality healthcare and modern infrastructure. That’s why Oman is actively working on improving hospitals, roads, and telecoms. Please remember that having valid health insurance is a must for an Oman retirement visa.
Economic Diversification and Stability
Oman Vision 2040 focuses on economic diversification away from oil into renewable energy, logistics, and tourism. A diversified economy provides stability for pensioners.
Affordable Cost of Living
The Oman cost of living for retirees is the most affordable compared to other Gulf countries.
Times of Dubai states that the renting and daily expenses in Oman are much lower than in Dubai. A single retiree can have a modest life on OMR 500-700 (≈ $1,300-$1,800) if they choose to rent an apartment outside the city center and cook at home. Retirees need to consider the health insurance fee, which typically costs OMR 40-80 (≈ $104-208) per month.
You can read more about the cost of living in Oman in our guide.
No Personal Tax and Low VAT
Oman doesn’t have a personal tax (until 2028) and has a low-rate VAT (only 5%). This means that retirees can keep more of their pension or investment income.
Key Advantages of the Oman Retirement Visa
Here are the key advantages that Oman retirement visa gives to its holders:
- Five‑year renewable residency: Oman retirement permit renewal can be done once in 5 years as long as the applicant continues to meet the criteria. This creates a confident environment for applicants without any uncertainty that happens in the case of one‑ or two‑year work visas.
- No local sponsor required: Acquiring an Oman retiree permit doesn’t need a local sponsor. Applicants can sponsor themselves and do not need to work in Oman.
- Property ownership rights: Oman retirement visa holders are eligible to buy a freehold property from ITCs and obtain full ownership rights.
- Family sponsorship: As we have already mentioned before, those who have a retirement visa in Oman are eligible to sponsor their family members.
- Access to services: Oman can be proud of its high-quality healthcare and banking services and investment opportunities.
These advantages make the retirement visa an attractive option for retirees who meet the eligibility criteria.
Oman Retirement Visa Eligibility Criteria
The Oman retirement visa is created for financially secure retirees. Here is a breakdown of the Oman retirement visa requirements.
Age
Applicants must be at least 60 years old if they want to acquire a retirement visa. Early retirees in their 50s can’t access the Oman retirement program.
Fixed Monthly Income
The applicant must provide at least OMR 4,000 ($10,400) monthly income and documents like pension letters or bank statements.
Work History in Oman
The program also requires its applicants to have at least 2 years of work history in Oman and provide evidence of it. With this condition, Oman targets those retirees who are most likely to become long-term residents.
Bank Statements from an Omani Bank
Applicants need to submit bank statements that show their financial activity for at least the last three to six months. With this, the government verifies the income threshold.
Health Insurance and Medical Fitness
Applicants may need to undergo a medical examination during the application process. They need to have valid health insurance and provide a medical fitness certificate.
Valid Passport and Legal Status
Applicants need to provide a passport valid for at least the next 6 months and have a clean criminal record.
Residence Proof
If the retiree already lives in Oman, they must provide evidence of residency.
Required Documents
Here is a list of required documents for the Oman retirement visa:
- A valid passport (for at least the next 6 months) and several passport‑sized photos,
- A proof of at least OMR 4,000 ($10,400) monthly income,
- A proof of having worked in Oman for at least two years,
- A valid health insurance,
- A medical fitness certificate,
- Evidence of residence in Oman if the retiree already lives there,
- A completed application form,
- Additional documents for the dependents, such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, and passport copies for each dependent.
Applying for the Retirement Visa: Step-by-Step Guide
The retirement visa application is run digitally by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion (MOCIIP) and the Royal Oman Police through the Invest Oman platform. Here are the key steps:
- First of all, all the applicants need to register on the Invest Oman platform.
- Then, they need to scan and upload the required documents, such as passport copies, bank statements, health insurance proof, medical fitness certificate, and proof of Omani work history.
- Afterwards, the applicants need to pay the fees. The portal shows the visa fees, which can be paid online.
- After submitting, the Royal Oman Police conducts security and identity checks. Applicants may be asked to provide additional information. The review process usually takes 4-6 weeks.
- After the approval, the applicant receives a five‑year renewable residency permit.
To make sure the process goes smoothly, you can book a free consultation with our experts, who have already helped many pensioners obtain their Oman retirement visa.
Challenges and Considerations
Despite its many benefits, acquiring an Oman retirement visa comes with several challenges and considerations. Here are some of them:
High Income Threshold
It’s true that Oman is the most affordable country among other GCC countries. However, having at least OMR 4,000 monthly income may be considered a high income threshold for many applicants.
Prior Work History
Applicants must prove that they have worked in Oman for at least 2 years. Retirees who worked outside Oman may not qualify for the program.
Health Insurance and Costs
Having private health insurance is mandatory. Premiums get higher with age, and retirees with health issues may need to pay more. Public hospitals are more affordable, but most retirees choose private clinics, which cost more.
Limited Tax Treaties
Oman doesn’t have any income taxes, capital gains, or tax pensions. However, retirees from countries like the U.S. may still be required to pay taxes at home. It’d be better if the applicant consults with a tax advisor first.
Cost of Living in Oman for Retirees
Depending on the lifestyle, the cost of living in Oman may vary a lot. Here is a breakdown of the main costs you’ll need to pay in Oman:
- The price for a 1-bedroom apartment rented outside of the city center is $363.71.
- The price for a 3-bedroom apartment rented outside of the city center is $628.61.
- The basic utilities (including electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage) for an 85 square-meter apartment are $99.65 per month.
- A standard monthly mobile phone plan that includes calls and 10 GB+ data costs $32.51.
- A broadband internet with unlimited data (60 Mbps or higher) costs $72.11 a month.
- A one-way ticket on the local transport is $1.30.
- A monthly public transport pass is $58.52.
- A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs $5.20.
And here are the most common grocery items and their approximate costs:
- Milk (regular, 1 liter): $2.03
- Fresh white bread (500 g loaf): $1.22
- White rice (1 kg): $1.90
- Eggs (12, large size): $2.58
- Local cheese (1 kg): $6.82
- Chicken fillets (1 kg): $6.19
- Beef round or equivalent back leg red meat (1 kg): $9.70
- Apples (1 kg): $2.66
- Bananas (1 kg): $1.83
- Oranges (1 kg): $2.03
- Tomatoes (1 kg): $1.24
- Potatoes (1 kg): $1.14
- Onions (1 kg): $1.18
- Lettuce (1 head): $1.19
- Bottled water (1.5 liters): $0.60
- Bottle of wine (mid-range): $15.60
- Domestic beer (0.5 liter bottle): $4.03
- Imported beer (0.33 liter bottle): $7.31
- Cigarettes (Marlboro, pack of 20): $6.24
An Oman retirement visa is an attractive option for retirees who are looking for a stable, safe, and comfortable option. By meeting the eligibility criteria, preparing the right documents, and applying through the Invest Oman portal, retirees can start enjoying life in Oman. To make the process smoother, it’s advised to contact a specialized agent.
FAQ
Yes. A pensioner in Oman can sponsor family members. Retirees can sponsor their spouse and children under the age of 21. To sponsor family members, retirees need to show financial ability and provide health insurance for each dependent. Family members also need to provide passports, medical certificates, and other required documents.
To be eligible for the Oman retirement visa, applicants need to show at least two years of prior work in Oman and show a bank statement with a monthly income of at least OMR 4,000 ($10,400).
The Oman retirement visa process is through the Invest Oman portal. Applicants need to register on the platform, upload their documents, and pay the visa fees. Afterwards, the Royal Oman Police conducts security checks and reviews the application, which usually takes 4-6 weeks. We advise applicants to regularly check their portal for updates and provide additional information if needed.
