Frequently
Asked
Questions

It is a program designed to streamline Housing Finance for Omani citizens who are registered on the waiting lists of Oman Housing Bank and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning. This is achieved through partnerships with various local banks operating in the Sultanate.

The goal of the 'Iskan' program is to accelerate the delivery of housing finance solutions to individuals registered on the waiting lists of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning and the Oman Housing Bank by fostering collaboration between Oman Housing Bank and multiple local banks.

Citizens eligible for Housing Finance, based on their placement on the waiting lists of the Oman Housing Bank and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, are subject to the eligibility criteria established by the Oman Housing Bank.

The 'Iskan' platform is an electronic platform that enables citizens to submit the necessary data and documents, verify their eligibility, and select the bank from which they would like to secure housing finance in accordance with the Oman Housing Bank's criteria.

The 'Iskan' platform offers the following features:

• Accepting electronic applications for customers who are in waiting from anywhere in the world, 24x7.
• Providing access to application details, including your position on the waiting list, eligibility criteria, and housing finance requirements.
• Allowing you to choose one of the participating banks from which you’d like to secure housing finance.
• Offering comprehensive information about the housing finance process, from application submission to disbursement.
• Enabling citizens to accept or decline the offer presented by the selected bank after reviewing the terms and conditions.
• Providing information about the repayment period and monthly installments.

Registration is done electronically through the electronic platform to verify eligibility for financing. This involves following five simple steps via the following link (www.iskan.ohb.co.om).

The platform offers the following advantages:

• Enabling wait listed individuals to electronically apply for housing finance without the necessity to visit a bank or any of its branches.
• Decreased waiting times for acquiring supported housing finance.
• The availability of multiple financing choices with all local banks, including both conventional and Islamic banks.
• Fixed profit rates for banking connected to your application.
• The ability to verify eligibility through the platform.

Citizens listed on the waiting lists of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning and Oman Housing Bank can access financing based on their application's priority and adherence to the following conditions:

• The applicant must be an Omani citizen who is married.
• The applicant should demonstrate a stable and continuous monthly income, sufficient to consistently meet the loan repayment obligations to the bank.
• The applicant should not possess a residential property within the Sultanate.
• Neither the applicant nor their spouse should be recipients of benefits from the social housing system or any government-backed housing programme. Additionally, they should not be eligible for subsidized housing finance or housing grants supported by their employer.

• ID card
• Salary certificate
• Bank statement for the last six months
• Marriage certificate

Registration Stage:

1. Eligible citizens for housing finance access the electronic platform via the link www.iskan.ohb.co.om
2. Through the link, the customer is asked to enter their ID number to access the electronic platform.
3. The customer is asked to enter personal information.
4. The system will send a one-time password (OTP) to the customer's registered phone number associated with the ID card and will request the customer to create a password for their platform account.
5. Log in to the electronic platform using:
   a. ID number
   b. Password

Data Entry Stage:

1. The customer is asked to enter their financial data.
2. The system calculates the allowed financing amount and the expected monthly installment.
3. Through the platform, eligible citizens can check their turn in the waiting list.
4. Eligible citizens who are due for their turn must upload the required documents and choose their preferred bank for completing the financing application.
5. Eligible citizens who are not yet due for their turn will receive a text message on their registered phone number when it is their turn, prompting them to upload the required documents and select their preferred bank to complete the financing application.
6. Citizens not listed on the waiting list can visit the nearest branch of Oman Housing Bank, submit their application directly, and their application will be reviewed based on application priority and eligibility.

Note: Applications are processed in batches based on priority in the waiting list.

Bank Offer Stage:

1. After submitting the application with the chosen bank and completing all the necessary procedures, the selected bank will review the application and send a financing offer, including the financing amount, expected monthly installment, service fees, expected financing duration and any other applicable fees.
2. The citizen is notified via SMS to visit the 'Iskan' platform to review and accept the financing offer along with its terms and conditions.
3. After reviewing the terms and conditions, the customer makes a decision.
4. If the citizen agrees to the housing finance offer and accepts the terms and conditions, they should visit the chosen bank in person to complete the remaining procedures.

Final Stage for Disbursement of Financing:

1. The chosen bank will contact the citizen to sign the housing finance agreement for the 'Iskan' program and agree to the terms and conditions therein.
2. After completing the necessary procedures and meeting all requirements, the citizen is notified via SMS of the disbursement of the financing amount.
3. At the end of the transaction, the citizen will be asked to evaluate the process and provide feedback and suggestions to improve the services provided through the electronic platform.

The banking and administrative service fees are determined based on monthly income categories.

Profit Rate borne by the citizen	Income Category
1%	Less than 401 Omani Rials
3%	From 401 to 1000 Omani Rials
4%	More than 1000 Omani Rials

Most banks operating in the Sultanate, whether conventional or those offering Shari’a-compliant banking services, as announced by Oman Housing Bank from time to time through various social media channels.

The maximum financing amount is divided into two categories as shown below:

Maximum Financing Amount	Housing Type
60,000 Omani Rials	Residential property anywhere in Oman
80,000 Omani Rials	Residential units within integrated city projects implemented by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Planning

• Building a residence
• Buying a ready-made residence
• Buying an unfinished residence and completing it
• Buying residential land and constructing a residence on it

Yes, you can transfer the financing under specific conditions, provided that the other bank is one of the participating banks in the 'Iskan' programme.

The processing time for approval varies from one bank to another, depending on the financing purposes, the bank’s processing time of the necessary procedures, and obtaining the required approvals.

Eligible applicants can check their turn through the electronic platform. If their name is on the waiting list, they will receive a text message before the scheduled date for their turn to obtain financing and to proceed with the procedures.

Oman Housing Bank will directly communicate through SMS and instant messaging on the electronic platform to complete the application process. After selecting the bank, the chosen bank will directly contact the applicant to complete the remaining procedures.

Monthly income is calculated based on the average income for the last six months, whether it's the monthly salary or any other source of income.

Citizens can apply by visiting any branch of Oman Housing Bank. The application will then be added to the waiting list. If eligibility is met, it will be processed based on your respective turn in the waiting list, in the order in which your application was received.

Yes, if they meet the program's conditions (www.iskan.ohb.co.om)
Yes, if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Yes, if they meet the eligibility and criteria.

Through the following communication channels:

• The official website (www.iskan.ohb.co.om)
• Call center (24775800 ) from (7AM - 10PM)
• Email: Iskan@ohb.co.om
• Visit the nearest Oman Housing Bank branch

Through the communication channels listed on the website of the bank.

The supported financing amount has a maximum limit of 60,000 Omani Rials. However, this limit is extended to 80,000 Omani Rials for the purchase of residential units within integrated city projects implemented by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Planning.
If a customer wishes to avail additional financing through their chosen bank subject to credit checks and availability of a suitable product, this may be possible through the respective bank, but the additional amount will not be subsidized.

Oman Housing Bank does not charge fees for applying through the platform. However, fees may be applied when submitting the application to the selected bank.