Compare Credit Cards in Oman

Live offers

20 live offers compared from 10 providers, from OMR 0 /سنة. Updated daily.

What is a credit card in Oman?

A credit card lets you spend up to an approved limit and repay later, either in full each month or over time with a finance charge. In Oman, cards come in conventional form, where unpaid balances attract interest, and Islamic form, where Sharia-compliant structures (such as a fixed fee or Ujrah model) replace interest. Cards are widely used for retail, travel, online purchases and rewards, and are issued by banks to nationals and expatriate residents who meet income criteria. Both Visa and Mastercard networks are common.

How the Omani market works

Credit cards are issued by banks licensed and supervised by the Central Bank of Oman (CBO), which sets rules on fees, disclosure and responsible lending. Eligibility typically depends on a minimum monthly salary, and expatriates usually need a residence card and salary certificate. The market blends conventional cards with Sharia-compliant cards from Islamic banks and windows. Rewards, cashback, airline miles and lifestyle perks — lounge access, dining discounts — are the main competitive levers, alongside annual fees and profit or interest rates.

Benefits

Interest-free window — Pay the full balance by the due date and pay no finance charge on purchases.

Rewards and cashback — Earn points, miles or cash on everyday spending and travel.

Islamic cards — Sharia-compliant options that avoid conventional interest.

Global acceptance — Visa and Mastercard work for travel and online purchases worldwide.

How to choose

Match the card to how you use it: if you clear the balance monthly, prioritise rewards, cashback and low annual fees; if you sometimes carry a balance, focus on the profit or interest rate. Check the minimum salary requirement, the annual fee and whether it is waived on spend, and the value of perks like lounge access or fuel cashback against how you actually spend. Compare foreign-transaction fees if you travel, and decide between conventional and Islamic cards.

Leading providers in Oman

Bank Muscat, National Bank of Oman, Bank Dhofar, Ahlibank Oman and Oman Arab Bank issue a broad range of conventional and Islamic-window cards. Bank Nizwa and Al Izz Islamic Bank offer dedicated Sharia-compliant cards. HSBC Oman provides internationally oriented cards for eligible customers. Because rewards, fees and rates differ significantly, compare the total package — annual fee, earn rate and perks — across several issuers rather than choosing on headline rewards alone.

What it costs

Annual fees in Oman range from free entry-level cards up to around OMR 25 or more (about US$65) for premium cards, though many issuers waive the fee above a spending threshold — the brief cites roughly OMR 0–25. The larger cost is the monthly profit or interest charge on any unpaid balance, plus cash-advance and foreign-transaction fees. Oman has no personal income tax, but VAT applies to some fees. Always confirm the rate and fee schedule, since carrying a balance quickly outweighs rewards.

Protections and regulation

The Central Bank of Oman regulates card issuers, requiring transparent disclosure of fees and charges and promoting responsible lending. Cards carry network-level fraud protection and dispute mechanisms through Visa and Mastercard. Islamic cards are additionally overseen for Sharia compliance. Read the schedule of charges, monitor statements for unauthorised transactions, and pay at least the minimum on time to protect your credit standing, which banks assess when you apply for future finance.

Common questions

Can expatriates get a credit card in Oman? Yes, subject to a minimum salary, residence card and salary certificate. What is an Islamic credit card? A Sharia-compliant card that uses fees or profit structures instead of interest. Is there an interest-free period? Yes on purchases if you pay the full balance by the due date. Are there annual fees? Many cards charge one, but it is often waived above a spend threshold. Do cards work abroad? Visa and Mastercard are accepted globally, usually with a foreign-transaction fee.

Credit Cards in Oman — FAQ