Company Registration in Oman

In most cases, yes. Registration through Invest Easy, Tax Card processing, and free-zone applications can be handled by power of attorney. Banks prefer to meet the signatory in person, while obtaining a residence visa requires presence for biometrics. With the right sequence, one trip to Muscat is usually sufficient.

Company setup in Oman starts from $3,400, while a package including a bank account starts from $5,900. Free-zone incorporation in Duqm, Sohar, or Salalah is priced separately depending on the project. Renewal with accounting services starts from $2,000 per year.

Yes. Since 2020, the Foreign Capital Investment Law has allowed full foreign ownership of LLCs across most activities without a general minimum capital requirement. The previous model requiring a local partner and OMR 150,000 capital is no longer applicable. Restrictions remain for certain trading and service activities, which we check before structuring.

Onshore companies are subject to 15% corporate tax (3% for qualifying small companies), 5% VAT, and 0% withholding on outgoing dividends, while certain service and royalty payments abroad are subject to a 10% rate. Free zones offer 0% corporate tax incentives for 10 to 30 years. From 2028, high-earning individuals will be subject to PIT at 5%.

Duqm combines industrial infrastructure, deep-water berths, a dry dock, and a refinery with a location on the open Indian Ocean - outside the Strait of Hormuz. Eligible projects can benefit from tax incentives for up to 30 years and 100% foreign ownership. The zone is particularly relevant for companies serving markets across the Gulf, East Africa, and South Asia.

Duqm and Salalah have direct access to the Indian Ocean without requiring vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. This reduces reliance on one of the region's key maritime chokepoints. Salalah already plays a significant role in container transshipment, while Duqm is developing as a major industrial and logistics hub.

Requirements vary by sector and set quotas for Omani employees, while permits for foreign personnel are linked to compliance with those quotas. Free zones may offer more flexible conditions. The hiring plan should therefore be developed alongside the licence, taking into account quotas, training requirements, and permit timelines.

Oman has already awarded major green hydrogen projects through the state-backed Hydrom, with international consortia securing concessions. The sector remains at the development stage, with the first large-scale production expected in the coming years. For companies today, the main opportunities lie in supply chains, engineering services, and infrastructure development.

Omani banks conduct thorough KYC checks, and opening an account usually takes 2-4 weeks with a complete set of documents. Bank Muscat and other local banks offer corporate accounts with transactions in OMR and USD. Transparent ownership, documented business activity, and complete documentation are important for a smooth onboarding process.

The Oman company incorporation process usually takes 1-3 weeks through Invest Easy or a free-zone authority. Opening a bank account adds another 2-4 weeks, while visas and permits under the Omanisation plan take 3-8 weeks. With proper preparation and sequencing, a fully operational company with a bank account and required permits can be launched within two months.