Work visa rules for expats changed in Oman

Muscat:  Expatriates and visitors entering Oman on visit visas can get them converted into work permits, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) has announced.

The rule also applies to those with family joining visas and student visas, among others, provided certain conditions are met.

According to the decision, competent authorities can convert the following visas stipulated in the Foreigners’ Residence Law, into a work visa or temporary work visa: “A visit visa issued to residents of GCC countries, a visit visa issued to meet relatives and friends in the country, single-entry tourist visas (valid for upto 10 days or a month), single and multiple entry business visas, express visas, investor visas, student visas, visas provided to sailors serving on-board, or passengers aboard cruise ships, visas for owners of residential units and their family members.”

The decision comes into effect after the ROP issued a resolution to amend some provisions of the Executive Regulations of the Foreigners Residence Law. Article 1 of the resolution states that the last paragraph of Article 10 of the text of the Executive Regulation of the Foreigners Residence Law is to be replaced by the following text: “The competent authority has the right to transfer visas numbers (3/a, 3/ b, 3/d, 3/e,4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, and 16) stipulated in the law to a work or temporary work visa if its requirements are met, in accordance with the regulations set by the competent authority, after paying the required fees.”