The Sultanate of Oman announced on Tuesday that it would be suspending the conversion of all types of tourist and visit visas to work visas.
“The Royal Oman Police, within its review of the policies for obtaining some types of visas, announces the suspension of the conversion of all types of tourist and visit visas to work visas for all nationalities coming to the Sultanate of Oman,” the Police said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Previously, expats arriving in the country on visit visas could convert to an employment visa, however the new announcement will mean that these individuals will now need to exit the country and return on a work visa.
In addition, ROP also announced that the sultanate would suspend the issuance of any visas for Bangladeshi citizens from October 31.
Regionally, countries have been moving closer together on their visa initiatives. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia and Oman announced they would be launching a joint tourist visa, as the two countries launch joint initiatives to boost tourism.
Saudi Arabia and Oman’s joint projects are aimed at attracting foreign tourists, citizens of both countries, and residents of the GCC countries.
The initiatives, which include a unified tourist visa, seasonal flights, and a joint tourism calendar, aim to promote tourism and boost investment cooperation between the two nations.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the strategy was approved by GCC leaders in December last year and focuses on supporting entrepreneurs in the tourism sector and training tourism professionals.
