Some help here plz...

[jasmine]

Asalamu-3laykum,
I am new here, and I have a question about marriage in Oman
Is it true that no Omani man is allowed to marry a non- Omani?
And if he does, he will not be allowed in the country with his "foreign" wife??
Is it just me, or is this preposterous? Is there any way around this? Is this a law?
If anyone can help me answer or clarify this issue, I would really appreciate it. Hope to hear from you all soon.
Wasalaam- 3alaykum :)

[NaBHaN]

First of all, welcome to the english sabla miss jasmine. :)

regarding your questions:


Is it true that no Omani man is allowed to marry a non- Omani?Is this a law?

yes!! it's true!!! it is the NEW law (dunno when it was first announced though!)

And if he does, he will not be allowed in the country with his "foreign" wife??

hmmm..am not so sure about this, if he does it without the approval of the government, then yes..i guess he/she's not gonna be allowed to enter the country!

Is there any way around this?

Very difficult, as you have to "Know" people from high places!!!:rolleyes: (was6a in other words!!!)

or is this preposterous?

of course it is!!! it's control of one's freedome!! but i guess they have their reasons!!

[4-ever-young]

well welcome Jasmine to the sabla... :)

I have heard that there is a new law about getting married to expats that it is allowed..but i dont think that they have announced it yet!

I think they have reliased that more and more ppl are falling in love with expats and just want the right to live in thier country with the one they choose!

[jasmine]

thank you both for welcoming me to the sabla,
I am really happy to hear from you both.
I have a question for you forever-young, are you referring to the law about allowing Omanis marrying only ppl in the Gulf? or are you talkin about all expats? Also where did u hear this? this is a serious issue for me personally, and I need to know if your sources are reliable. I would REALLY appreciate it if you find out for me. I wont be able to thank you enough. Please help me out here. :(
hope to hear from you soon.
take it easy all.
salaam for now

[Muscati]

The law prohibiting Omani men from marrying non-Omanis has been arround since the mid 80's. Marriage from the Gulf is easy and approval is given quickly from the Ministry of Interior. Marriage from other Arab nationalities is a bit more difficult and requires a big was6a. Marriage to a non-Arab is next to impossible.

There are two exceptions: 1) Students are sometimes allowed to marry from abroad, particularly if the student is doing his post graduate studies or even better a PhD. 2) Airline pilots are almost always given an approval.

If you are not a student and not a pilot then think twice before you fall in love with a non-Omani.

If you do fall in love and go ahead with getting married without an approval then there is no law to stop you from returning to Oman. You are welcome. You can even bring your wife, but you have to bring her on a visit visa. She can't be officially recognized as your wife, because if she is then you lose your passport. She can't work in Oman because visitors can't be employed. And if you have any kids you can't register them legally because your marriage is not recognized officially. If they get sick you can't take them to a government hospital, etc etc.

Of course all the above depends on how strong your was6a is. I know people who were refused approvals and got married anyway and brought their wives back and kept trying until they eventually got approved. I know of others who couldn't no matter how hard they tried and now they live abroad with their wives.

[4-ever-young]

I thank Mux for the explantaion..but i have one questiong to ask..are you (mux) talking about the new law or are u still refering to the old one?

I have a question for you forever-young, are you referring to the law about allowing Omanis marrying only ppl in the Gulf? or are you talkin about all expats?
Jasmine what i meant by expats are foreigners

Also where did u hear this?
I heard about it from friends but it seems that it is somewhat true but i will ask more about this and get back to you insha Allah

[Muscati]

Originally posted by 4-ever-young
I thank Mux for the explantaion..but i have one questiong to ask..are you (mux) talking about the new law or are u still refering to the old one?


I don't know nothing about old law vs new law. What I wrote is the law as I know it. I don't know how old or new it is. I haven't heard of any changes in the law. For all I know restrictions still apply on marrying foreigners. My cousin is planning to marry his foreign girlfriend and he's presently busy filling the paperwork for getting a permit.

[Neena]

I do believe that its way much easier getting married to an outsider .. than it was back than. As for a woman getting married to a non-omani.. its a lil bit more hard.. but not impossible!

[Muscati]

I don't think the rule was ever as tough for girls as it is for guys.

[X-press]

4-eva is right by saying that there is rumor of a new law ...the previous law, which was put into application at the end of 1980's, is still effective but more flexible than few years ago.

The Omani Government had, at the time of implimenting this law, its raisons for doing so. Its goal was to see the Omani men marrying the local girls and nobody from outside.

Jasmine, it is true that until now, no Omani is allowed to marry a foreigner without putting an application and getting the okay from the governement to do so. If he does it without permit, it is at his own risk as, if caught, he can see his passport removed and all his rights as a citizen taken away.

As mux said, if he still marries outside and wants to bring his wife, she will be able to come in the country on a visit visa only/ or residence visa if she finds a work who sponsor her. She will not legally be recognized as his wife and can't claim any right as one.

I am personally a non-arab married to an Omani and had to put an application and got a permit (with wasta and difficulties). Thoug this law still exists, I do know few Omanis who married and had kids with foreigners and currently live together here in Oman. I also know a lots of case of young omanis who have been waiting for years to get a permit...and they are still waiting.

[.:JaMaL:.]

jasmin what every one has said her is true, i know a few Omani men and women who are married to forigners. it is difficult to get the approval but not impossible. if worst comes to worst he might get fined 2000 OMR by the court, ofcourse thats if worse comes to worse my freind got find about 300 OMR ( OMR 1.000 = 3.6 $)

[jasmine]

id like to thank everyone for their help. things have become a little more clear.
But im still curious, on what basis does the government allow some ppl easier approval, and for others it takes longer? I hope it is not jsut whim :p
What does a person have to do, do u think, to get through with the least difficulties? Im guessing having a was6a helps alot..
What is the common process that everyone has to go through to get married?
In any case, that is all I have for now.
thank you all again.
ps- 4ever, have you heard anything new about the "new law" if there is such a thing.........
;)