Sultan Haitham bin Tariq has reinstated nationality for 11 individuals through a royal decree that appeared in Oman’s Official Gazette on Sunday, October 18.
Decree No. 89/2026, dated October 12, covers the 11 people named in a list printed in Issue No. 1670 of the gazette. Its first article orders the restoration of nationality for those listed. The second article requires publication and makes the decree effective from the day it was issued.
The decision was taken after considering the Basic Statute of the State and the Omani Citizenship Law, introduced under Royal Decree No. 17/2025, and on public interest grounds.
Oman’s 2025 nationality law and restoration rules
Oman’s nationality law came into force in February 2025, replacing legislation dating from 2014. It sets out how citizenship is acquired, lost and restored.
Under Article 7, nationality can be granted, withdrawn, revoked or restored by royal decree, following a recommendation from the Minister of Interior. Article 8 allows the Sultan to grant or restore citizenship in exceptional circumstances without applying the law’s standard conditions.
Omanis by origin who previously gave up their nationality to acquire another can apply for its return. Requirements include residence in Oman or a commitment to return and settle, good conduct, and a written declaration of their intention to relinquish the foreign nationality. People previously deprived of citizenship may also regain it once the grounds for removal no longer apply.
Unexplained grounds for the 11 restorations
The latest decree does not specify the circumstances under which the 11 individuals lost their citizenship. It also does not say which provisions were applied in their cases.
