Oman: New Rules Tighten Proof of Loss for Insured Persons

The Arabian Stories, 5 April 2026: Oman’s Social Protection Fund issues new rules clarifying how the loss of insured persons and pensioners is formally established, reshaping access to allowances and pension entitlements.

Oman’s Social Protection Fund has issued Oman Decision No. C/4/2026, setting out updated procedures for proving the loss of insured persons or pensioners whose whereabouts are unknown and whose life or death cannot be verified. The decision was approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors and issued under the Oman Sultani Decree No. 52/2023 on the Issuance of the Social Protection Law.

Under the new framework, a disappearance must be reported to the competent police authority, which will issue an official report and certificate detailing the individual’s identity, date of disappearance and circumstances. Employers are required to notify the Fund immediately once a disappearance is confirmed, after which eligible beneficiaries or legal representatives may apply for a monthly allowance upon submission of the police documentation.

The decision further provides that if the missing person’s status remains unresolved for four years, or if death is later confirmed judicially or factually, the date of disappearance will be treated as the date of service termination for pension calculation purposes. The new rules replace earlier provisions issued in 2010 and will enter into force following publication in the Official Gazette.

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Oman: Drone spraying halted as farm and water safety rules tighten

4 April 2026: Authorities in Oman have banned drone‑based pesticide spraying and have launched a nationwide well safety inspections as they tighten controls to protect public health and the environment.

Oman’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has confirmed that the use of drones for pesticide spraying is currently prohibited, with only ground‑based spraying permitted under existing regulations. The ministry has said the ban is intended to ensure proper oversight, environmental protection, and operational safety in pesticide use.

The measures were announced during a briefing on the ministry’s recent performance and priorities, signalling a stricter regulatory stance on agricultural practices and environmental safeguards. Authorities have indicated that compliance monitoring and inspections will continue under existing agricultural and water resource regulations.

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Oman: Central bank sets rules for replacing damaged bank notes

5 April 2026: The Omani Central Bank has clarified formal procedures for replacing damaged banknotes, outlining conditions and documentation required for exchange.

The Central Bank has issued guidance setting out how members of the public can exchange damaged Omani banknotes, confirming that torn, burned and physically damaged currency may be replaced if specific conditions are met. Replacements will be made with notes fit for circulation once eligibility requirements are satisfied.

In the case of burnt banknotes, applicants must present the damaged currency in person alongside a police report or official certificate which has been issued by the Royal Oman Police or the relevant wali confirming the fire incident, in addition to a valid national ID or resident card.

In cases involving torn banknotes, the Central Bank requires that more than half of the note remains intact, including at least one complete serial number and a visible signature. Where damaged currency does not meet these criteria, the Central Bank has said exceptions may be considered if supported by an official letter from the Ministry of Social Development or the wali, explaining the individual’s circumstances and requesting the exchange.

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Oman: State Council Reviews Amendments to Personal Data Protection Law

Oman Observer, 30 March 2026: Oman’s State Council examined proposed amendments to Oman Sultani Decree No. 6/2022 Promulgating the Personal Data Protection Law aimed at clarifying scope, automated processing, and data‑retention obligations.

Oman’s State Council discussed draft amendments to Oman Sultani Decree No. 6/2022 during its seventh session of the third regular convening of the eighth term, as part of a package of legislative proposals referred by the Council of Ministers. The review was undertaken pursuant to Article 50 of the Council of Oman Law.

The proposed amendments introduce an explicit definition of “automated processing” and clarify the scope of the law to apply to the processing of personal data of natural persons both within the Sultanate of Oman and abroad, where such processing relates to individuals in Oman. The amendments seek to align the legal framework with evolving technological practices and cross‑border data‑processing activities.

Under the draft provisions, data controllers and processors would be required to delete personal data once the purpose of processing has been fulfilled. However, the law allows for retention of personal data where necessary to resolve disputes between the data controller and the data subject, or to comply with legal obligations arising from legislation, court rulings, orders, or judicial decisions.

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Oman: APSR issues new risk-management rules for utilities

Oman observer, 8 March 2026: Oman’s Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR) has issued two new regulations aimed at strengthening risk management and business continuity across the electricity, water, and sanitation sectors.

The APSR has introduced two regulatory frameworks: the first covers risk management and continuity for the electricity and water sector, while the second addresses the water and sanitation sector. Both regulations are designed to enhance licensees’ ability to manage emergencies, natural disasters, cyber threats, and operational disruptions, ensuring uninterrupted service delivery.

Under the new rules, all licensees must establish an integrated risk‑management and business‑continuity system within six months of implementation. They must also develop, test, and periodically update comprehensive risk‑management plans, and are required to submit annual reports that include risk assessments, exercise results, and improvement updates.

The regulations require companies to allocate the necessary technical and administrative resources and to cooperate fully with APSR audits. Administrative fines of up to RO 500,000 may be imposed for violations, with penalties doubled for repeated breaches.

The APSR stated that the rules aim to strengthen resilience, transparency, and preparedness across utilities, promoting global best practices in risk management and supporting Oman’s broader national development objectives.

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Oman: Royal Decree strengthens economic‑zones regulatory system

Oman Observer, 2 March 2026: Oman has issued a new regulatory system under Oman Sultani Decree No. 39/2026 expanding the powers of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ).

OPAZ has announced that the new system, promulgated by Oman Sultani Decree No. 39/2026, grants the Authority broader regulatory, supervisory and permitting powers across all special economic zones, free zones and industrial cities. Officials stated that the framework integrates with the Special Economic Zones and Free Zones Law, streamlines procedures through an independent regulatory system and supports investment by enhancing governance, administrative efficiency and legislative stability. The Authority confirmed that the new mandate includes unified oversight across existing and future zones and delivery of licensing and approvals via a single‑window platform.

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Oman: Regulators Review Children’s Social Media Use Amid Digital‑Safety Concerns

Gulf News, 20 February 2026: Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has begun reviewing children’s use of social media as part of plans to introduce a new regulatory framework addressing online‑safety risks.

Authorities said the review have been prompted by studies indicating risks such as exposure to harmful content and excessive screen time. The TRA confirmed that the initiative would reassess the legal responsibilities of platforms accessed by minors, including potential measures on parental controls, age‑verification requirements and oversight obligations for service providers.

The regulator announced it would conduct consultations with families, educators, technology companies and other relevant stakeholders before finalising the framework, expected by the end of the third quarter. Officials also noted that international regulatory models—particularly from Europe—would be examined to align Omani standards with global best practices on child‑online protection.

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