Tuesday 03 / February / 2026
Muscat: The Ministry of Social Development has officially introduced the Disability Card, a formal document designed to certify the holder as a person with a disability. Valid for five years, this initiative is a central component of Oman’s broader strategy to facilitate seamless access to government services, benefits, and essential accommodations.
The Disability Card is issued to individuals with long-term physical, mental, intellectual, sensory, or psychological impairments that may hinder full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others due to environmental or personal barriers.
According to the ministry, eligibility for the card requires that the applicant’s disability be officially classified and approved by the Ministry of Social Development. Applicants must also be Omani nationals, or children born to Omani parents, as well as residents of the Sultanate of Oman.
The approved disability classifications include physical disability, intellectual disability, hearing impairment, visual impairment, mental disability, autism spectrum disorder, and Down syndrome.
Applications for the Disability Card can be submitted through several channels, including the Unified Government Services Portal (www.gov.om), the Ministry of Social Development’s electronic services platform (Eservices.mosd.gov.om), and social development departments in governorates.
The ministry clarified the distinction between medical assessment and functional assessment in determining eligibility. Medical assessment, conducted by the Ministry of Health, focuses on diagnosing the condition, identifying causes, and issuing an approved medical report that serves as a primary reference for verifying health status. Functional assessment, carried out by specialists under the Ministry of Social Development, evaluates the degree of disability based on standardized tests and approved criteria to determine functional limitations.
The initiative reflects enhanced integration between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Development to ensure comprehensive and accurate assessment processes, enabling wider access to services and benefits for persons with disabilities.
The Ministry of Social Development emphasized that the Disability Card supports national efforts to empower persons with disabilities, improve service delivery, and ensure their rights, in line with Oman’s social development policies and commitments to inclusive and sustainable development.
