By Kabeer Yousuf — MUSCAT: May 17 - While the number of marriages registered in Oman saw a decline of 6.4 per cent, the number of Omanis marrying foreigners (non-Omanis) rose by 47 per cent, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). In 2016, 78 such marriages were reported as against 43 in 2015. The cross-border marriages include both local men and women marrying other GCC nationals, Arabs and nationals from other countries. Experts say one of the main reasons for this unprecedented increase in ‘foreign marriages’ is the demographic imbalance between the local and expatriate populations in the country and overexposure to different cultures and societies in the free, digital world.
As per the latest statistics, the expatriate population stood at 2,106,898 and the population of Omanis 2,487,740 (0.2 per cent increase in national population), taking the total to 4,594,638. In the last decade, mixed marriages have been on the rise in Oman. Nine per cent of all marriages in 2013 were mixed, with hundreds waiting for clearance to tie the knot. Surprisingly, more Omani women are marrying non-GCC nationals than the men. An average of 67 marriages were registered every day and 3,736 certificates of divorce issued last year. The rate of marriages has seen a dip in the last four years — 29,840 in 2012 to 25,659 in 2015 and further down to 24,014 in 2016. The Ministry of Interior has stipulated rules for Omanis who want to marry foreigners.
An Omani man should be at least 45 years. A person seeking marriage to a foreigner must first apply through his nearest wali’s office, after which their case will be registered with the Ministry of Interior. It will be studied by both the ministry and other agencies, including the Royal Oman Police (ROP). The Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry of Health will also look at the application. However, the process is different for Omani women. She should be at least 30 years. If she wants to marry a man from outside the GCC, she should obtain a letter of consent from her father. Additionally, several other factors will be considered before permission is granted by the ministry.
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