Oman now offers flexible foreign resident cards: All you need to know

Oman has reportedly started offering flexible foreign resident cards that can be valid for one, two or three years.

The validity of Omani ID cards for citizens has also been extended to 10 years.

This gives foreign residents more options when applying for residency permits, allowing them to choose a duration that works best for them. Citizens, meanwhile, will benefit from ID cards that last longer.

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But what exactly are these flexible foreign resident cards, and who will they help?

Let’s take a look:

Oman launches flexible foreign resident cards: What we know

The Royal Oman Police has announced new options for the validity and cost of expatriate residence cards and Omani personal identity cards, aiming to make renewals simpler.

According to a report by Gulf News, under the decision issued by Lieutenant General Hassan bin Mohsin Ali Shraiqi, foreign residents can now pick residence cards that last for one, two or three years.

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The fee changes according to the length chosen, from 5 to 15 riyals. If a card is lost or damaged, a replacement will cost 20 riyals.

Oman has also increased the validity of its personal identity cards for citizens to 10 years, in line with the national passport. The fee for issuing, renewing or replacing these cards stays at 10 riyals.

According to Gulf News, the ROP said, “These amendments are designed to ease administrative processes and provide residents with flexible options to suit their needs.”

All holders of residence and ID cards must make sure their documents are renewed within 30 days after expiry to follow the rules.

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As of June 2025, Oman has about 1.8 million foreign residents. Around 1.4 million are employed in the private sector, 349,000 work as domestic staff, 41,000 hold government jobs and 6,800 are in the family sector.

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What this means for foreign residents

For foreigners living in Oman, the residence card is the main proof of legal identity after receiving a residence visa.

It carries key personal, visa and biometric information, and is needed for daily tasks such as renting a home, setting up utilities, opening a bank account or registering a mobile phone.

With the new tiered system, those choosing longer validity periods will make fewer trips to ROP offices, spend less time in queues and plan their expenses more easily.

Short-term workers can now match their card validity to their job contracts, avoiding the need for early renewals before leaving the country, Nairametrics reported.

Who will benefit?

The revised rules are set to help Oman’s large expatriate population by making residency procedures simpler and cutting down on paperwork.

With fewer administrative hurdles, the country is likely to be more appealing to skilled professionals, investors and companies.