The Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tarik, has issued a decree allowing Omani citizens to marry non-Omanis without seeking government approval or a permit. The announcement was made on Sunday and included seven articles, with the first article cancelling a previous law which authorised the issuing of provisions regulating Omani’s marriage to foreigners.
The decree specified that the provisions of the Islamic Sharia or public order or any provision cited in the laws, Royal decrees or applicable systems stipulating non-marriage to a foreigner as a condition for occupying or continuing to occupy certain public jobs of significance or special nature should not be prejudiced.
The documents proving the cases of marriage of Omanis to foreigners within the Sultanate of Oman shall be documented in accordance with the provisions of the relevant laws and Royal decrees. Foreign documents proving these cases of marriage are treated as official Omani documents after being authenticated by the competent authorities in the respective foreign country/countries, as well as the Omani Foreign Ministry.
The decree also validates the documents evidencing the marriage of Omanis to foreigners that are issued by foreign official authorities before the date of entry into force of this decree, even if they violate the provisions regulating the marriage of Omanis to foreigners in force at that time. However, those documents must be authenticated by the Omani Foreign Ministry, and in a manner that does not contradict the provision of Article (2) of this decree.
The State’s Administrative Apparatus and other public legal persons will implement the provisions of this decree, each in their own areas of jurisdiction.
This decree repeals all that contravenes or contradicts its provisions, and shall be published in the Official Gazette and enforced from the day following its date of publishing