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IFC Oman, the international financial centre Oman is building, says its legal, regulatory and digital infrastructure is moving into place ahead of company registration later in 2026 and full licensing operations in 2027. The update came in a statement published on 10 October. The centre was first revealed in January 2026.
Key takeaways
IFC Oman, Oman’s planned international financial centre, said in a statement published on 10 October 2026 that company registration will begin later this year and full licensing operations in 2027.
A package of laws on business registration and licensing, financial services regulation and independent dispute resolution is due shortly, and an online registry is about to enter testing. The centre proposes a common-law framework.
The plan isn’t new: it was first revealed in January. The Gulf rivals named for it include ADGM and DIFC.
What is due next
A package of laws is expected shortly. It covers business registration and licensing, financial services regulation and an independent dispute resolution framework, and would give the centre’s authorities the basis to adopt an initial set of regulations and rules. A digital registry that will let businesses apply online is set to enter testing soon. The centre proposes a common-law framework for financial institutions, investors and professional services firms.
Mahmood Al Aweini, chairman of the IFC Oman Authority Board, said:
“IFC Oman is accelerating towards opening its doors.” He added: “The Centre will offer global businesses and investors a stable and competitive place to do business.”
Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham al Said, Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, chairs IFC Oman and chaired the board meeting that preceded the statement.
Also, read Upcoming UAE Fintech Events in 2026: What’s Still Ahead
Outreach and the rivals
The centre has started international outreach. A delegation travels to Bangkok the following week for meetings with financial services firms around the IMF and World Bank annual meetings, with meetings planned in London later in October. IFC Oman was approved as a member of the World Alliance of International Financial Centres at its meeting in Busan in September.
The National names ADGM, DIFC, Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District and the Qatar Financial Centre as the regional centres it will compete with, without offering a comparison of terms.
What’s next
IFC Oman hasn’t published licence categories, fees, tax or regulatory terms, or a date for the law package. Those details will determine how it compares with the UAE’s two financial free zones.
FAQs
What is IFC Oman?
Oman’s planned international financial centre, designed to give global financial institutions, investors and professional services firms a dedicated business environment, with its own laws, regulations and online registry.
When will IFC Oman open?
Company registration is due to begin later in 2026 and full licensing operations in 2027, according to the centre. No exact date has been given.
Is IFC Oman a competitor to DIFC and ADGM?
The National names ADGM and DIFC among the regional centres IFC Oman will compete with, alongside Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Financial District and the Qatar Financial Centre.
What legal system will IFC Oman use?
The centre proposes a common-law framework, with an independent dispute resolution system, to be set out in the law package due shortly.
Editor’s Take: The Deputy Prime Minister chairs the centre, its board met this month, a membership approval from the World Alliance of International Financial Centres is in place and outreach meetings are scheduled. The least defined part is the competitive offer. No licence categories, fees or incentives have been published, so it can’t yet be compared with ADGM or DIFC. When the law package appears will show how closely the centre follows their common-law model.