Where I Can Live
Flag of Oman

Middle East · Arabic · updated 2026-10

Moving to Oman: visas, cost of living & citizenship

A single person needs about $1,400 a month to live in Muscat, and a family of four about $3,050, including rent. Oman has no standard route to permanent residence, with citizenship after 20 yrs, and dual citizenship is not allowed. Most work routes need a job offer or an investment.

Monthly budget
$1,400
Very low cost
Safety
89
Very safe
Stability
61
Stable
Family
61
Very good
Main city
Muscat
Language
Arabic
Permanent residence
No standard route
Citizenship
20 yrs
Dual citizenship
Not allowed
Digital nomad visa
No
What can your passport do in Oman?Pick your nationality to see your exact access, visit rules and personal score.
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Cost of living in Oman, per month in US$

One person
$1,400
Family of four
$3,050
RentGroceriesTransportUtilities & internetEating out & leisureOther
1-bed flat, Muscat centre
$700
Estimate
3-bed family flat
$1,300
Estimate
Price level
47
US = 100
Income per person
$1,627
GNI ÷ 12, World Bank

Safety

Safety score
89
Very safe
Homicides per 100k
0.14
US 5.8 · UK 1.0 · Japan 0.2

Political stability & governance

Political stability+0.60
Rule of law+0.50
Control of corruption+0.50
Government effectiveness+0.38
−2.5 weak0strong +2.5

Worldwide Governance Indicators, World Bank. Stable overall (61/100).

Family-friendliness

Family score
61
Very good
Child outcomes (HCI)
0.608
Health & schooling, 0–1
Under-5 mortality
10.3
per 1,000 births
Life expectancy
80.2 yrs
at birth
Health spending
$732
per person / year
Education spending
4.4%
of GDP

Visa & residence routes

Job offer
Employment visaEmployer-sponsored.
Investment
Investor residence10 years for OMR 500,000; 5 years for OMR 250,000.

Who gets easier access to Oman

GCC citizens can live and work across Gulf Cooperation Council states.

Flag of BahrainBahrainFlag of KuwaitKuwaitFlag of QatarQatarFlag of Saudi ArabiaSaudi ArabiaFlag of the United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates

Visiting: 10 passports can visit visa-free, 0 with an electronic travel authorisation, 71 get a visa on arrival, 117 can apply for an eVisa and 0 need a visa in advance (Passport Index dataset).

Road to permanent residence & citizenship

ArriveCitizen 20y024681012+ yrs
Permanent residence
No standard route
Long-term investor residence only
Citizenship
20 yrs
Rarely granted
Dual citizenship
Not allowed

No personal income tax.

Last checked 2026-10.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to live in Oman?

About $1,400 a month for one person and $3,050 for a family of four in Muscat, including rent. A city-centre 1-bedroom flat costs around $700 a month and a 3-bedroom around $1,300. Prices are 47% of US levels. Oman is the 28th cheapest of the 76 countries in the index.

Is Oman safe to live in?

Oman scores 89/100 for safety (very safe), ranking 4th of 76. The homicide rate is 0.14 per 100,000 people (US 5.8, UK 1.0, Japan 0.2).

Is Oman politically stable?

Oman scores 61/100 for stability (stable), ranking 43rd of 76, based on the World Bank's indicators for political stability, rule of law, control of corruption and government effectiveness.

Is Oman good for families?

Oman scores 61/100 for family-friendliness (very good), ranking 44th of 76. Life expectancy is 80.2 years and under-5 mortality is 10.3 per 1,000 births.

How long does it take to get permanent residence in Oman?

There is no standard route to permanent residence. Long-term investor residence only.

How long until I can become a citizen of Oman?

Usually 20 yrs of residence. Rarely granted. Dual citizenship: not allowed.

Can I move to Oman without a job offer?

Most routes need a job offer from a local employer or a significant investment. Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council countries can move freely.

Who can live and work in Oman without a visa?

GCC citizens can live and work across Gulf Cooperation Council states. (Gulf Cooperation Council: United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia.)

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See also: cheapest countries to live · safest countries · most stable countries · best countries for families · where citizens of Oman can move