Muscat – The validity of Omani ID cards has been extended to ten years, while expatriate residence cards will now be of one- to three-year validity. What are the advantages or disadvantages of these changes? Here is what Muscat Daily readers said –

Ravi Kumar, Engineer

Extending the validity of resident cards to three years is a welcome relief for expatriates like me. It saves us time, reduces paperwork and cuts down on trips to Sanad centres. For families, it’s even better because everyone’s renewal dates can be managed together. It shows the authorities understand our practical needs.

Anita Menon, Private sector employee

This change makes life easier, especially for working women and mothers. We no longer have to worry about biennial renewals, which can be stressful if they fall during school terms. Three years is a reasonable period that gives stability to expatriates. The ten-year Omani ID validity is also progressive – it means less hassle for citizens.

Mohammed Ashraf, Businessman

For entrepreneurs like me, time is valuable. Extending residence card validity means fewer administrative interruptions and more focus on work. The tiered fee structure is also fair. I see it as a step towards making Oman a more attractive place for long-term expatriates. Citizens too benefit from the ten-year validity – it’s efficient governance.

Ahmed al Harthy, Government employee

I welcome the ten-year ID card validity. It’s more efficient, saves time for both citizens and the government and reduces crowding at service centres. For expatriates, three years is a fair validity – long enough to reduce hassle and short enough to keep records updated regularly. Overall, it’s a smart administrative move.

Fatma al Mahrouqi, Entrepreneur

The change is sensible. Ten years for our ID cards means less paperwork and more convenience for busy people like me. For expatriates, a three-year residence card validity is a good improvement. It reduces costs and time spent on renewals. It also reflects trust in the residents who contribute to Oman’s economy.

Muna Basheer al Zadjali, Private sector employee

The decision to extend the validity of identity cards marks a significant administrative reform that will likely be welcomed by many. While the benefits of reduced costs, increased convenience and lighter government workloads are clear, the challenges of outdated information and security risks must be carefully managed. Ultimately, the success of this change will depend on how effectively the authorities address these potential drawbacks while ensuring that the system remains secure, accurate and fair for all residents.

Huda al Shamsi, Private sector employee

Extending the validity of my Omani ID card is very useful for me because now I can worry less about getting it updated at the right time before it expires, which always came with problems, especially with booking appointments and more expenses.

Arush Rahman, Chiropractor  

While I’m aware of the benefits this extension provides me, I also realise that it may cause more problems when I’m renewing my card. I’m concerned that it might take longer to get this information updated because of the longer gap between each renewal date as I can’t afford to take long time off in my line of work.

Advika Kapoor, Yoga instructor 

It’s nice to have our resident card’s shelf life extended, especially in cases like mine where my daughter is in university and cannot get it renewed on time because of her short term breaks. Now, we can get it renewed in a longer vacation and she can travel in and out of Muscat with less stress.

Ibrahim al Riyami, Auditor

I don’t see any issue with the changes made by Royal Oman Police. It will be less difficult to get it renewed for me and my family all together and it will be less expensive to get it done as well. I’m grateful for this particular change.