Starting a business in Oman

Legal Forms of Companies

Limited liability company

Number of partners: Minimum: Two partners, Maximum: 40 shareholders
One of the two partners must be citizen of Oman, a GCC member state or the USA and hold at least 30% of shares.
No share restrictions apply when all partners are citizen of Oman, a GCC member state or the USA
Capital (max/min): Minimum: OMR 150,000 (for LLCs with foreign participation)
Minimum: OMR 20,000 (for LLCs that are 100% owned by Omani and GCC nationals, and US citizens)
Shareholders and liability: Liability for each shareholder is limited to the portion of their own capital contributions

Free zone company

Number of partners: Minimum: One shareholder, one director
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital requirement
Shareholders and liability: Liability for each shareholder is limited to the portion of their own capital contributions

Joint stock company

Number of partners: Minimum: Three shareholders
A board of directors is also required
Capital (max/min): Minimum capital: OMD 500,000 (for privately held joint stock companies (SAOC)
Minimum capital: OMD 2 million (for publicly held joint stock companies (SAOG)
At least half of issued capital to be paid-up on subscription
Shareholders and liability: Liability for each shareholder is limited to the portion of their own capital contributions

Partnership (General or limited)

Number of partners: Minimum: Two partners (two full partners or one general and one limited partner)
Capital (max/min): Not applicable
Shareholders and liability: Full liability for general partner(s)
Liability for limited partner(s) is limited to the portion of their own capital contributions

Business Setup Procedures

Source: Doing Business - Latest available data.