Can Foreigners Own Property in Oman?
Short Answer
Foreigners can own property in Oman, but ownership is restricted to designated integrated tourism complexes and specific freehold areas approved by the government. Outside these zones, foreign nationals may only hold usufruct rights for periods of up to fifty years, renewable by agreement.
Detailed Answer
The Omani government has progressively opened its real-estate market to foreign buyers, though with carefully defined boundaries. The primary vehicle for foreign property ownership is the Integrated Tourism Complex, known locally as ITC developments. Projects like The Wave Muscat, Muscat Bay, and Hawana Salalah allow non-Omani buyers to purchase freehold residential and commercial units.
Purchasing property within an ITC also entitles the buyer to a renewable residency visa, making these developments particularly attractive to expatriates seeking long-term settlement. The properties can be freely sold, leased, or bequeathed, providing full ownership rights within the complex boundaries.
Outside ITCs, foreign nationals cannot acquire freehold land. However, the usufruct system permits long-term leasehold arrangements, typically spanning fifty years, during which the lessee can develop and utilise the land. This mechanism is commonly used for commercial and industrial ventures.
In special economic zones such as Duqm, separate regulations apply and may offer enhanced ownership privileges to foreign investors as part of the zone’s incentive structure. Prospective buyers should engage qualified legal counsel to navigate the specific regulations applicable to their intended purchase location and property type.