The Central Bank of Oman has announced reforms to National Payment Systems fees that will remove charges on local digital fund transfers for retail customers and small and medium-sized enterprises from 1 July 2026. The zero-charge policy applies to transfers through the Real-Time Gross Settlement System, Automated Clearing House and Instant Payment System when made through digital banking and payment channels, including e-wallets, and will be implemented by licensed banks and Payment Service Providers. The package also keeps person-to-person payments through the Instant Payment System free for all customers, whether the beneficiary uses the same or a different bank or Payment Service Provider. For private sector employers using the Ministry of Labour's Wage Protection System, processing fees for salary payment files have been simplified to a maximum of OMR 1.000 per month regardless of the number of employees, salary files or beneficiary banks. In addition, the maximum Merchant Service Fee for QR code-based Scan and Pay person-to-merchant transactions has been reduced to 0.50% of the transaction value from 0.75%, subject to a cap of OMR 2.000 per transaction. The central bank said it will work with banks, Payment Service Providers and other stakeholders on implementation and will monitor digital payment adoption through 2026, including effects on customer behavior, cash usage, cheque dependency and payment service efficiency. It may consider further measures based on adoption trends, and has told banks and Payment Service Providers to run awareness campaigns on the revised charges and digital payment channels.
Central Bank of Oman2026-06-16
Central Bank of Oman waives local digital transfer fees for retail and SMEs and cuts QR payment merchant fee cap
The Central Bank of Oman will waive fees on local digital transfers for retail customers and SMEs from 1 July 2026 across RTGS, ACH and the Instant Payment System when used through digital channels. It also cut the maximum merchant fee for QR code person-to-merchant payments to 0.50% from 0.75%, capped at OMR 2.000, and simplified Wage Protection System salary file fees to a maximum of OMR 1.000 per month. The central bank will monitor adoption through 2026 and may take further measures.