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Open a company in Oman

The Sultanate of Oman is a gorgeous Arab country with a high standard of living and rich deposits of natural resources. This paradise is washed by the Arabian Sea and is located near the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. In 2019, in order to diversify its economy, the state of Oman opened business registration to foreigners. With its excellent quality of life, rich natural resources, strategic geographical location, economic stability, and favorable tax policies, relocating to Oman looks both promising and attractive. Find out if this opportunity is right for you by consulting our experts.

Work experience

For more than 8 years, Dynasty Business Adviser has been successfully introducing new players to the UAE business market. Our employees' qualifications in international law and practical experience in solving the most complex problems allow our team to develop effective schemes for clients to start activities in the Emirates successfully.

Efficiency

From the moment of acquaintance until the end of cooperation, all tasks set by the client are solved quickly. We are available 24/7 and promptly attend meetings. Time is money, so our team acts professionally and harmoniously, achieving the desired result quickly.

Complexity

We plan and organize future activities considering the specifics of local legislation. We also handle all the formalities: company registration, legalizing documents, obtaining tax certificates and licenses, opening bank accounts, and accounting support. Your UAE business will work like a Swiss watch.

No intermediaries

Having its own office in Dubai allows Dynasty Business Adviser to work directly with clients. We do not transfer cases into the hands of intermediaries but independently represent your interests in government and commercial structures so we can guarantee the efficiency of our work and the achievement of our goals.

Privacy

Complete anonymity is one of the guarantees for the safe start and operation of the client’s business. That is why we pay attention to non-disclosing confidential information to third parties. Our goal is successful cooperation and an invaluable contribution to the impeccable Dynasty Business Adviser reputation.

VIP service

Our activity's main priority is finding ways to achieve clients’ goals. Our professionals will solve any assigned tasks, even if the situation requires a non-standard approach, and will complete the work they have started. With Dynasty Business Adviser, your business has every chance of success in the UAE.

Advantages of registering a company in Oman for foreigners

The country’s economy remains stable thanks to its oil, gas, and iron ore reserves.
The process for company registration in Oman is simplified, as the country is actively developing Free Trade Zones with favorable conditions.
Neighboring countries are developing and open to partnerships.
The modern infrastructure supports the growth of new businesses.
Since 2021, the state has implemented simplified taxation at a 5% VAT rate.
There is an option to eliminate corporate tax and VAT for 30 years for certain business types.
The state has signed agreements with 35 states to abolish double taxation for foreigners.
It is possible to obtain an investor visa after registering your company.

Key requirements for setting up a company in Oman

Foreign nationals can register a business in the Sultanate under the following conditions:

Mandatory licensing for all enterprises involved in activities such as: tourism services, logistics, healthcare, alcohol trading, mineral extraction, construction, and natural resource extraction.
A local partner is required — up to 70% foreign ownership is permitted for companies registered in the main part of the country, while 100% ownership is allowed in Free Zones.
Compliance with the capital requirements for LLCs: these may vary depending on the place of registration and the type of business. Usually it starts at around $3,000.
Adherence to quotas for employing local citizens — depending on the sector, these may range from 20% to 60%. At the same time, Free Economic Zones have no local employment quotas.
All companies must maintain accounting records and undergo annual audits.
Obtaining visas for foreign employees is mandatory.
Individual entrepreneurship is available only to citizens of Oman or countries that are members of the GCC. (On local land).
When opening branches, the following requirements must be observed: the parent company must have been operating for at least the last three years, for registering a subsidiary, you must lease an office and obtain the necessary permits from the Department of Industry and Commerce.

Types of companies you can open in Oman

The Sultanate of Oman offers several company types for foreign investors:

Limited Liability Company (LLC) — this is the most common option among foreign investors. In case of bankruptcy, your risk is limited to your share capital, not your personal assets. LLCs require at least 2 and no more than 40 shareholders.
Branch of a foreign company — this option allows you to diversify your operations by engaging in commercial activities in a promising and rapidly growing market.
Representative office — created for research and promotional activities. This entity is not permitted to carry out commercial operations.
Joint venture — this involves partnering (either general or limited partnerships) with local investors.
Free Zone company — a company that benefits from tax incentives and permits 100% foreign ownership.
Public joint stock company (SAOG) — ideal for larger enterprises, requiring a minimum capital of 2 million Omani Rials.
Closed joint stock company (SAOC) — a company structure that requires at least three shareholders.

Consult with our specialists to choose the legal form that best fits your needs.

Who is suitable for registering a company in Oman?

Oman’s government is focused on improving the business climate and provides support for:

Foreign Investors looking for 100% ownership in Free Zones or seeking to enter the Persian Gulf market.
Investors who want to benefit from preferential tax policies in Oman’s Free Zones and pay 0% on profits for the next 25 years.
Companies in strategic sectors such as energy, mining, logistics, and tourism.
Small and medium enterprises planning to operate in export-oriented industries.
Local entrepreneurs and GCC nationals looking to benefit from national business incentives.
Multinational corporations expanding their regional presence through branches or subsidiaries.
Startups in the technology sector interested in favorable tax regimes and innovation support.

What taxes do you have to pay in Oman?

The tax system in the country is aimed at stimulating business, especially for foreign investors. Therefore, it is quite simple and includes the following fees:

Corporate tax is 15% for most companies.
VAT — 5% rate.
Customs duties — 5% on imported goods.
Tax on dividends, interest, and royalties — 10%.
Income tax — 15%.
Tax on mineral sales — 55%.

Many small and medium-sized enterprises with revenues under 100,000 OMR (around $260,000) qualify for a reduced corporate tax rate of 3% if they have fewer than 15 employees and a starting capital of less than 50,000 OMR. At the same time, their activities should not be related to financial services, insurance, banking, mining, or air and sea transport.

Pls, note that tax rates can be considerably lower in Free Zones. There is also an option for tax holidays lasting up to 25 years. If this approach interests you, we recommend scheduling a consultation with us.

How much does it cost to set up a company in Oman?

The cost of registering a business depends on many factors, including the type of company, share capital, office rent, license type, and government fees. Much also depends on the jurisdiction where your business is established. The table below shows an estimated price range and factors influencing each cost.

Price table

Approximate expenses

Item	Estimated price (USD)	Influencing factors
Company registration	390-2600	Company type, initial capital
Business license	260-1300	Type of activity, industry requirements
Opening a bank account	Up to 500	Bank, account type, required deposit balance
Office rental	Up to 520 per month	Location, office size
Administrative expenses	Up to 5000	Equipment, materials, staffing

List of expenses

Below is an approximate breakdown of the costs for starting a company:

Government fees

– Registration of a company through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MOCI) costs approximately 150–1000 OMR ($390–2600), depending on the type of business.

– Commercial license fees range from 100 to 500 OMR ($260–1300).

Share capital:

– For LLCs with foreign ownership, the minimum share capital is 1150 OMR (about $3000).

– For companies in Free Economic Zones, capital requirements may be significantly lower or not required at all.

Office rental:

– Omani law requires a physical address on the mainland. Office rental costs start at 200 OMR per month ($520), depending on the location and prestige of the area.

Visa expenses:

– An investor visa costs around 50–300 OMR ($130–780), depending on the type and duration.

Other expenses:

– Banking fees, document transfer fees, and notary services can add another 500–1000 OMR ($1300–2600).

In summary, the initial cost to start a company (excluding share capital) generally ranges from 5000 to 10,000 OMR ($13,000–26,000) for most businesses, although these expenses can be considerably lower in Free Zones.

Procedure and timeline for opening a company in Oman

To set up a commercial or representative office in the Sultanate of Oman, you must complete a series of steps, including:

Reserving your company name.
Preparing your statutory documents.
Registering your company with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Opening a bank account.
Depositing your share capital.
Obtaining commercial and specialized licenses.
Registering for tax purposes.
Renting an office and confirming the address.
Obtaining visas for investors and employees.

The exact steps depend on the type of company, its business focus, and the jurisdiction. Below is an approximate list of steps for LLC enterprises.

Step-by-step guide

To open an LLC company in Oman, you will need to:

Step 1. Develop a business plan that includes market analysis, goals, marketing strategies, and financial forecasts.
Step 2. Determine the legal structure of your company and select a registration jurisdiction.
Step 3. Choose a company name amd make sure that the name is unique by checking the Ministry of Economic Development’s website. The company name must comply with the rules for registering names in the Sultanate: it should be clear, reflect your business activity, and not be confused with names of Arab jurisdictions or government entities. For more details about naming requirements, you can consult experts specializing in business setup in Oman.
Step 4. If the company plans to use a slogan and/or logo, register these as trademarks.
Step 5. Prepare constituent documents — the package includes the company’s charter, a list of founders, share capital details, and any other required documents.
Step 6. Rent an office to provide a physical address for the company. In some cases, a virtual office or Flexi-desk may be sufficient.

Step 7. Open a corporate bank account to deposit your share capital and then be able to run commercial activities. You need to prepare a list of documents, including confirmation of the Omani address, for this procedure. You will also need to undergo a financial stability and income source check.
Step 8. File your documents for registration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for preliminary approval.
Step 9. Undergo a medical examination for the founders. It includes confirmation of the absence of sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV and syphilis. Tests for drugs and other substances may also be required.
Step 10. Obtain all necessary licenses and permits to open a business (if required). Note, that all types of licenses must be renewed annually.
Step 11. Register with the tax authority to obtain a tax identification number for VAT, which is needed for reporting, paying VAT, corporate tax, and other fees.
Step 12. Arrange work visas and insurance for your employees.

Typically, opening a company takes about 4–8 weeks when handled by professional agents. Though, in Free Zones it can be as quick as 3–4 weeks. It depends on office availability.

It’s important to note that many foreign business owners who attempt to register independently end up facing delays that stretch into months due to issues with documentation, understanding the required steps, opening a bank account, and securing suitable premises.

Documents required for company registration

For preliminary approval, the following documents may be required:

Company registration application.
Business plan and founding documents.
Information about directors and shareholders.
Identity verification documents.
Passport-sized photos (3.5 × 4.5 cm) on a white background.
Proof of qualifications for directors (if applicable).
Details of the company’s share capital.

Once you receive preliminary approval, the following documents are needed for final registration and to begin operations in Oman:

Founding documents: company charter and minutes of founders’ meetings.
Business license: appropriate licenses based on the type of business.
Medical certificates of absence of diseases and drug addiction.
Office lease documents: rental contract or proof of office ownership.
Tax registration: taxpayer identification number.
Bank account: confirmation of opening a corporate bank account.
Work visas: permits and visas for foreign employees (if applicable).
Insurance documents: employee and business insurance policies (if required).

How do we assist with opening a company in Oman?

With its unique resources, strategic location, and favorable tax policies, the Sultanate of Oman is becoming increasingly popular among international investors. However, successfully registering and running a business here requires knowledge of the local language and cultural nuances, which differ significantly from neighboring Arab countries. For instance, Oman operates as an absolute monarchy, where government decisions are made within this framework. If you have the right advisors who understand these cultural aspects, overcoming potential barriers becomes much easier.

Experts of the licensed agency Dynasty Business Adviser have the expertise to guide you through every step of company registration in Oman.

Our business setup services include:

Consultations to determine the best jurisdiction and legal structure for your business.
Document preparation, certification, and legalization (if required).
Assistance with licensing and opening a corporate bank account in Oman.
Business valuation if you are looking to purchase an operating company.
Finding a suitable office for rent or Flexi-desk services in Free Zones.
Support for purchasing land or real estate (if needed).
Preparation of visas for employees and assistance with obtaining the Golden Visa.
Turnkey company registration with ongoing support and license renewals.

Our Oman business setup consultants, with extensive experience in finance and international law, are available 24/7. Ready to work with projects of any complexity, they help ensure all documents are correctly completed and approvals are obtained as quickly as possible.

Many of these processes can be handled remotely, so you only need to travel when absolutely necessary (e.g., for medical examinations). Even after your company is successfully registered in Oman, you can continue working with us for legal and accounting support.

Experience the reliable and expert guidance of Dynasty Business Adviser to focus entirely on achieving your business goals!

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Who will you communicate with?

We will discuss your request and issue, find the optimal solution, and pass the project to the appropriate specialist. We will provide information about the company's services and introduce you to leading specialists within the company.

After consultation with the customer service manager, the legal consultant conducts a more in-depth analysis of your request and develops project strategy options and preliminary organization of all processes.

Will coordinate with you the strategy and stages of further work and conditions. Will be responsible for coordinating the work of the legal consultant, ensuring the correct implementation of the strategy, providing individual approach, and ensuring compliance of the team's activities with legal norms.

Manages your project within the company, coordinates team activities, and ensures that project goals are achieved on time. Responsible for planning, executing, and monitoring assigned tasks.

Represents your interests in government agencies, including handling company registration and subsequent processes, obtaining additional permits, and accompanying you during visits to government agencies.

Will communicate directly with you regarding accounting issues, transactions, and necessary documentation. Ensures the correctness and order of your financial flows functioning.