Saturday 04 / May / 2024
Muscat: More than 370 new marriage certificates were registered for Omanis from expatriate women during the year 2021, said the National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI).
Statistics issued by the NCSI shows that 372 new marriage certificates were registered for Omanis who married expatriate women during the year 2021.
His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik on Sunday issued Royal Decree No. 23/2023 on Omanis’ marriage to foreigners, notifying the changes.
The new Royal Decree regarding the marriage of Omanis to foreigners abolishes the requirement of Ministry of Interior’s approval before marriage, a lawyer Salah Al Maqbali, said.
Nasr Al-Busaidi from the Wilayat of Nizwa in Al Dakhiliyah believes that the new Royal Decree will facilitate the marriage process for many who are currently stuck.
“For example, many young men and women from Asian mothers, such as India, Pakistan and the Philippines, have been deprived of wedlock opportunities as the marriage of their parents was not registered. Currently, they are facing the stigma of rejection in society, except for a few of them.”
He also added: "Marrying foreigners will also avoid genetic diseases, the percentage of which has become very high among Omanis.”
He also felt that marrying foreigners abroad will also help many Omani families who couldn't marry due to exorbitant costs.
