What an ITC zone is, and why it matters to a foreign buyer

ALBasil Al-Rawahi, 2026-10-29

Integrated Tourism Complexes are designated zones where the law allows non-Omanis to hold freehold property. This guide explains the designation, how it differs from other ownership labels in our catalogue, and which projects sit inside ITCs.

What an ITC is

Integrated Tourism Complex is a legal designation applied to a defined area that is being developed for tourism, hospitality, leisure and supporting residential uses. The designation is used to create a self contained zone where planning, development and ownership rules are set to encourage investment in tourism infrastructure and visitor accommodation. In practical terms for a buyer, an ITC is a mapped area where units and plots can be marketed under specific ownership rules that differ from the wider land market.

Why ITCs matter to a foreign buyer

ITCs matter because the designation is the mechanism by which non-Omani buyers can be allowed to hold freehold title to property inside a defined tourism complex. That permission is limited to land and units inside the ITC boundary. Outside those boundaries, different ownership regimes apply, including leasehold, restricted freehold, or categories where foreign ownership eligibility is set project by project.

For buyers this affects simple questions of ownership, and also practical matters you should confirm before committing to a purchase: who issues the title, what form of title will be registered, and whether common parts and community infrastructure are held under a strata or master ownership structure.

How we label ownership in our project catalogue

In our project catalogue you will see several ownership labels. These are shorthand used on the site to explain what kind of title a non-Omani buyer should expect, and how open the opportunity is to foreign ownership.

• itc, this means the development sits inside an Integrated Tourism Complex. Non-Omani freehold ownership of lots or units is permitted inside the ITC boundary, subject to registration and the usual approvals. Examples include AIDA City and Al Mouj. AIDA City lists a starting price of 100000 OMR, and its delivery window is Q4 2028 to Q3 2029, developer Dar Global. Al Mouj has been delivered in phases since 2006, with new releases ongoing, and is listed with a starting price of 89000 OMR in our catalogue.

• foreign_eligible, this label covers projects where foreign buyers can be permitted to own, but not under the ITC route. The detail varies by project, and purchases are typically confined to specific registered units or plots. An example from our catalogue is Yenaier, which is marked foreign_eligible with a starting price of 48957 OMR.

• 100% Freehold, this label means the project is recorded in the catalogue as offering full freehold ownership to buyers. An example is Al Yazan, listed at 66900 OMR in our catalogue.

• leasehold_99, this label indicates a 99 year leasehold structure, rather than freehold. Maysan Square in Duqm is recorded as leasehold_99 with a starting price of 24750 OMR.

Examples from our ITC project list

Use the catalogue and our ITC map to locate ITC projects and to compare the development types and price brackets inside ITCs.

• AIDA City, Muscat, Yiti, developer Dar Global. It is owned as an ITC project in our catalogue, with a listed starting price of 100000 OMR, and completion scheduled between Q4 2028 and Q3 2029.

• Several branded resort projects sit inside ITCs. For example Dar Global lists Trump Golf Villas at a starting price of 903000 OMR, Trump Cliff Villas at 483000 OMR, and Trump International Hotel units from 188000 OMR, with several of these deliveries scheduled for Q4 2028.

• Higher end and unique offers include Fendi Mansion, with a listed starting price of 1600000 OMR, completion Q3 2029.

• More accessible ITC entries include The Great Escape 2, starting price 105000 OMR, with completion indicated as Q4 2028, and Coastal Investment Villas from 274000 OMR, delivery Q4 2028.

• Outside Muscat, ITC projects also appear. Hawana Salalah in Dhofar is labelled itc with a starting price of 65539 OMR. Jebel Sifah is marked itc and shows a starting price of 44475 OMR.

These examples illustrate the range of product types and price points that appear inside ITCs, from hotel suites to mansions.

How ITC ownership differs from other choices

Ownership inside an ITC is tied to the mapped area and the approvals that created the ITC. By contrast a foreign_eligible project may allow ownership under a different legal route, and a leasehold_99 project gives long term possession but not freehold title. 100% Freehold projects are shown in the catalogue where freehold is available without an ITC designation. The practical difference for a buyer is in title paperwork, transfer mechanics and the resale market, all of which are important to check with your legal adviser.

Practical checks for foreign buyers when considering an ITC

• Confirm the ITC boundary on the official plan and on the title for the unit you are buying. The ITC designation matters only inside the mapped area.

• Confirm the form of title to be registered on completion. Ask for a copy of the draft title allocation, and the name of the registry office where it will be recorded.

• Check any community or club memberships that attach to ownership. Some ITC projects include social memberships that come with units, and separate or full golf membership may be sold separately.

• If the project is branded, read the branded operator agreements carefully. Branding can affect rental management, service fees and access rights.

• For leasehold_99 offers, confirm what rights are included for the term of the lease, and what happens at expiry. For 100% Freehold offers, confirm that the title will be registered as freehold and available for transfer.

• Ask for a full schedule of service charges, transfer fees and registration costs. The magnitude of these costs affects running cost and resale pricing.

• Use the ITC map and project page to confirm location, developer, and the stated completion window. For example, the Sustainable City Yiti is listed with a starting price of 63000 OMR and is noted as phased delivery, fully operational from 2026 in our catalogue.

Where to look on our site

Use our ITC map to see which projects sit inside ITC boundaries, and consult project pages for developer contact details, the ownership label, listed starting price where available, and the completion window. Project pages are the single place for unit types and sales updates. For legal certainty, rely on title documents issued by the registry and on advice from a qualified local lawyer.

Next steps for a buyer

• Identify the project on our ITC map and open the project page. The project page shows developer and the ownership label for that scheme.

• Request the title schedule and the draft contract from the developer or sales agent.

• Instruct a local lawyer to review title, transfer mechanics and any lease conditions.

• Confirm the community rules and the service charge regime before signing.

This information is provided to explain how the ITC designation operates in practice, and to help you use our map and project list when you are comparing developments.