Oman launches flexible foreign resident cards, extends Omani ID validity to 10 years

The Royal Oman Police (ROP) has announced new validity options and fee structures for expatriate residence cards and Omani personal identity cards, aimed at making renewals more flexible and efficient.

Under this decision, issued by Lieutenant General Hassan bin Mohsin Al Shraiqi, expatriate residents can now choose residence cards valid for one, two, or three years, according to a Gulf News report. The corresponding fees are 5, 10, and 15 riyals. Replacing lost or damaged cards will cost 20 riyals.

The decision also extends the validity of Omani personal identity cards to 10 years, matching the duration of the national passport. The issuance, renewal, or replacement fee remains 10 riyals.

As per Gulf News, the ROP stated, “These amendments are designed to ease administrative processes and provide residents with flexible options to suit their needs.” All residence and ID card holders are required to renew their documents within 30 days of expiry to remain compliant.

Oman hosts around 1.8 million expatriates as of June 2025, with most employed in the private sector (1.4 million), followed by domestic workers (349,000), government employees (41,000), and those in the family sector (6,800).

The updated rules are expected to benefit this large expatriate community by simplifying the residency process and reducing administrative burdens. The move is part of the government’s broader efforts to modernise civil status laws and improve public services in line with international standards.