For overseas investors
Foreign-Owned Company Setup in Oman
Oman permits full foreign ownership across most activities. The question is whether yours sits on the reserved list.
GCC business setup specialists
Open by default, reserved by exception
The Foreign Capital Investment Law reversed the old default: most activities are open to full foreign ownership without a local partner. A reserved list remains, and sector approvals still apply, so eligibility is checked rather than assumed.
- Activity checked against the reserved list
- No local partner where none is required
- Attestation chain mapped for corporate shareholders
20+
Mainland, free zone and offshore jurisdictions we file in — so the recommendation is based on your activity, not on which authority we happen to be registered with.
7,000+
Companies successfully established.
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What is assessed
How foreign ownership works in Oman
Simpler than most GCC markets, with a few things still to check.
| Factor | Position |
|---|---|
| Ownership | Full foreign ownership permitted for most activities. |
| Reserved activities | A list remains where foreign ownership is limited or excluded. |
| Local partner | Not required for open activities. |
| Capital | Requirements reduced for most activities; some sectors still carry them. |
| Sector approvals | Still apply regardless of ownership. |
| Free zones | An alternative route with their own incentives and rules. |
The reserved list, capital requirements and sector rules are set by the Omani authorities and change. Your activity is checked against the current position before filing.
How it works
Setting up as a foreign investor
We check eligibility before you spend on anything.
01
Eligibility check
Your activity checked against the reserved list and any sector requirements, with mainland and free zone options compared.
02
Documents and registration
Shareholder documents prepared, and for a corporate shareholder attested and legalised, then name reservation and Commercial Registration.
03
Operations
Chamber membership, municipal licence, bank introduction, tax and employer registration.
What we need
Documents for a foreign-owned company
Individual shareholders need far less than corporate ones.
- Passport copies for all shareholders
- Passport-size photographs
- Proof of address
- Three proposed trade names
- Activity description
- Parent registration certificate, for a corporate shareholder
- Parent constitutional documents
- Board resolution approving the Omani company
- Specimen signature of the authorised signatory
- Attestation and legalisation abroad
- Arabic translation where required
- Proposed capital and shareholding
Scope
What is included, and what is not
Stated plainly, so nothing is added once the engagement starts.
Included in the service fee
- Activity eligibility assessment
- Mainland and free zone comparison
- Attestation chain guidance
- Trade name reservation
- Constitutive contract preparation
- Commercial Registration
- Chamber membership
- Tax and employer registration
Not included, quoted separately
- Government and authority fees, paid at cost
- Attestation and legalisation abroad
- Arabic translation charges
- Capital requirements where they apply
- Office rent and fit-out
- Sector-specific approvals
- Audit, where required
- Ongoing accounting and tax filing
Verify independently
Official Omani authorities
We file directly with these bodies on your behalf.
Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Investment PromotionInvest EasyOman Tax AuthorityMinistry of LabourPublic Authority for Social Insurance (PASI)Oman Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Questions
Oman foreign ownership — FAQs
Is 100% foreign ownership really available?
For most activities, yes, under the Foreign Capital Investment Law. A reserved list remains where ownership is limited, and we check your activity against it.
Do I need an Omani partner?
Not for open activities. Where an activity is reserved, local participation may be required, which is confirmed at eligibility stage.
Mainland or free zone?
Mainland suits selling into Oman; free zones suit export, logistics and manufacturing with their own incentives. The customers decide it.
What capital do I need?
Requirements have been reduced for most activities, though some sectors still carry them. We confirm before you transfer anything.
Does a corporate shareholder complicate it?
It adds the attestation chain for the parent documents, which usually becomes the longest part of the timeline.
Careers
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Tell us which role you are applying for and what you have done that is relevant. If you have UAE or GCC experience, say which jurisdictions and authorities you have worked with.
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Request a setup assessment
For founders and business decision-makers considering paid business services. Not for job applications, employment searches or personal visa-only requests.
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At Black Swan Business Setup Services, our mission is simple: to empower entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes to establish and expand their presence in the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and beyond.
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