How long can parents sponsor children on a residency visa in Oman?
Speaking exclusively to the Times of Oman, a representative from Mohammad Ibrahim Law Firm, a leading law office in the Sultanate of Oman, explained that under this framework, expatriates may sponsor their spouses and children below the age of 21, while Omani citizens may sponsor their foreign wives, subject to conditions set by the competent authorities.
The Family Joining Visa is issued by the Royal Oman Police and is valid for two years from the date of stamping on the beneficiary's passport. It is a multi-entry visa, enabling the holder to travel freely in and out of Oman during the visa period. In addition to this, the Foreigners Residency Law provides that the issuance of residency to one spouse extends automatically to the other spouse and their children living with them, unless any of them obtain separate residency permits. While the law itself does not define a specific age limit for children, official guidelines and administrative practice cap the age at 21 years for dependent children sponsorship, explained Dr. Mohammad Ibrahim Al Zadjali, founding partner of Mohammad Ibrahim Law Firm.
Another spokesperson from the law firm added that, to qualify as a sponsor, the expatriate must hold a senior job position in line with GCC standards and live in a residence rented in their own name or their employer's name.
In the case of an Omani national sponsoring a foreign wife, a marriage certificate authenticated by the wife's country embassy and the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with a Ministry of Interior certificate, must be provided to validate the marriage. These structured requirements ensure that family sponsorship in Oman is responsibly regulated and aligned with national social and economic policies, the expert said.
(Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm ([email protected]), (+968 244 87 600) was established 18 years ago and is serving clients through its offices in Muscat and Sohar, as well as operating on a request basis in other areas. It offers legal representation across a wide range of practice areas that include Labour Law, Corporate, Commercial, Contracts, Banking and Finance, International Trade, Foreign Investment, Insurance, Maritime Law, Construction and Engineering Contracts, International Arbitration, Intellectual Property and more).
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