The Sustainable City - Yiti properties for sale

The Sustainable City Yiti: Your Complete Guide to Freehold Ownership, Residency & Real Estate Investment in Oman (2026) Every year, thousands of foreign investors look for a safe destination that combines freehold ownership, residency through property, and attractive returns — and today Oman delivers all three in a stable, low-tax environment. At the heart of this opportunity stands The Sustainable City Yiti in Muscat, Oman's first fully sustainable city, which allows foreigners 100% freehold ownership along with a pathway to Oman residency. This guide explains, in detail, the rules of freehold ownership for foreigners, the residency pathways, investment returns, unit prices, and the buying steps as of 2026. What Is The Sustainable City Yiti? The Sustainable City Yiti is an integrated development spanning 86 hectares in the coastal Yiti area, about 30 km from central Muscat and overlooking the Gulf of Oman. It is developed by Sustainable Development & Investment Company (SDIC), a partnership between Diamond Developers — the creator of Dubai's Sustainable City — and the government-owned Omran Group. What sets the city apart is that it is designed to be net zero by 2040; its facilities run on solar energy, with zero service charges for owners and savings of up to 100% on electricity bills and up to 50% on water. The city includes a 5-star Nikki Beach resort, a 4-star hotel, schools and nurseries, a health centre and sports complex, an equestrian club, an autism centre, and walking and cycling trails with car-free zones. Most importantly for our purposes: Yiti is classified as an Integrated Tourism Complex (ITC) where freehold ownership is permitted for foreigners — the foundation for the rest of this guide. Why Foreigners Choose Freehold Ownership in Oman Under Omani law, a foreigner cannot buy property anywhere; purchases are allowed only within government-designated Integrated Tourism Complexes (ITCs), and Yiti is one of them. Within these complexes, the buyer obtains full freehold ownership granting the right to use, sell, lease and bequeath the property — just like any Omani owner. Freehold vs. Usufruct: What's the Difference? • Freehold: permanent ownership of the unit and the land within Integrated Tourism Complexes, with the right to sell, lease and bequeath. This is what The Sustainable City Yiti offers. • Usufruct: a long-term usage right of up to 99 years (renewable) without owning the land, typically available outside ITCs under Ministerial Decision 357/2020. For most foreign investors, freehold ownership within an ITC remains the clearest and safest option, because it can be registered in the foreigner's name and is linked to residency rights. Residency in Oman Through Property Buying a freehold property in Yiti gives you more than a home — it opens a pathway to residency in Oman for you and your immediate family (spouse and children). It is important to clarify a common misconception: Oman does not grant literal “permanent residency” or citizenship in exchange for buying property; rather, it grants long-term, renewable residency tied to your continued ownership of the property. Two Main Property-Residency Pathways 1. Renewable owner's residency: upon acquiring a freehold unit within an ITC, the owner becomes eligible for residency renewed every two years for as long as they retain ownership. 2. Investor visa (Golden Visa): under the tiers in effect as of 2026, a real estate investment of at least OMR 250,000 in an ITC qualifies for a renewable five-year investor residency, while higher tiers grant longer durations. The residency remains valid as long as the property is owned and its original value is maintained. In both cases, immediate family members (spouse and children) can be included in the residency — a key advantage for families seeking long-term stability in a safe environment. Important note: residency conditions and financial thresholds are subject to updates by the authorities. Always verify with the Royal Oman Police and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning before making a decision. Investing in Yiti: Returns & Advantages • Strong rental yields: rental returns in central Muscat areas range from about 6% to 9% per year, supported by a housing supply shortage and rising demand. • Low-tax environment: there is currently no personal income tax, capital gains tax or inheritance tax — noting that a personal income tax framework for high earners is set to take effect in 2028. • Competitive ownership fees: the property transfer fee for foreign buyers is 3% (reduced in early 2025), plus legal and registration fees of about 1–2%. • Off-plan buyer protection: escrow accounts are mandatory in Oman, so the developer receives funds only in line with project completion. • Sustainability as added value: zero service charges and energy/water savings lower the long-term cost of ownership and boost the unit's appeal for rental and resale. • Aligned with Oman Vision 2040: the project is part of the