The Central Bank of Oman has issued a final reminder regarding the discontinuation of older Rial banknotes. All currency notes issued prior to the 2020 Sixth Series will cease to be exchangeable after the close of business on Monday, September 21, 2026. Following this deadline, no further claims or exchanges will be honored, rendering the old notes worthless.
- Final deadline is Monday, September 21, 2026
- Old banknotes become completely worthless after this date
- Applies to residents, expatriates, migrant workers, and retirees
The affected denominations include the 1995 series (100 baisa, 200 baisa, 0.5 Rial, and 1 Rial), the 2000 and 2011-2012 series (5, 10, 20, and 50 Rials), commemorative 1 Rial notes (2005 and 2015), the 2010 commemorative 20 Rial note, and the 2019 updated 50 Rial note. These notes are no longer legal tender in the market and can only be exchanged for the new series at commercial banks within the country.
The CBO emphasizes that this deadline is critical for migrant workers and retired individuals who may still possess these legacy notes in homes or personal storage.Expatriates and residents are advised to visit any operating bank branch in cities such as Muscat, Nizwa, Sohar, Salalah, Sur, or Buraimi to exchange their holdings. Individuals must carry a valid National ID or identification documentation for the transaction. Damaged or torn notes may be accepted provided the serial number and identifying features remain visible. This notice follows official notifications and a September 7, 2026, tweet from the Central Bank of Oman. The advisory aims to reach the large expatriate community, as the deadline has received limited coverage in mainstream media.
