To reunite families with each other and attract skilled workers, Oman has announced to lower the minimum salary for applying for a family visa. For the time being, the minimum salary does not apply to applying for an Oman visa.
Attempt to attract skilled workers
The Royal Oman Police (ROP) has announced to considerably lower the minimum salary for expats who want to apply for a family visa. The decision was made in an attempt to reunite families in Oman and to attract foreign skilled workers. According to the new policy that was announced on 17 February 2023, expats who make at least 150 Oman rials (about £ 312 pounds) per month will be eligible for a family visa. With this family visa they can bring their family over to Oman
The minimum salary for obtaining a family visa, the so-called dependent visa, was introduced in 2011 by the Oman government. The minimum salary then had a staggering height of 600 Oman rials (about £ 1250). This salary requirement to be eligible for the visa was lowered to 350 Oman rials (about £ 729). It is expected that lowering the minimum salary even further will have a positive effect on the prosperity level of expats and their families in Oman. Lowering the income requirement will make it easier for expats to reunite with their families and built a more stable life in the country.
Positive impulse Oman economy
Not only will the minimum salary be lowered, but expats will also attain the right to decide for themselves whether they want to bring their families over. The Oman government expects that expats are capable enough of deciding for themselves whether they can provide for their families in Oman. This puts the decision in the hands of the people themselves rather than that of the state.
The decision to lower the salary requirement for expats is expected to have a positive impact on the Oman economy by making it more attractive for skilled workers to settle in Oman. Economic experts also say that attracting expats and their families will contribute to economic growth in Oman. This is because the expats and their families also spend time in the country. Pointing out the importance of the impact of expats on the economy, the experts believe that the departure of expats from Oman, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, has a negative impact on the countryʼs economic development and stability.
No salary requirement for applying for an Oman visa
When you travel to Oman for tourism, you do not have to take into account specific salary requirements. Regardless of the height of your income, you are allowed to enter Oman. If you wish to stay in the country longer than 14 days, you have to apply for an Oman visa before departure. Everyone who wants to stay in the country longer than 14 days requires a valid visa to enter the country, regardless of their nationality.
Since 2018, it is no longer possible to get a visa on arrival after arrival in Oman. You can only use the Oman e-visa, which can be obtained through an online application procedure. The advantage of this online application procedure is that you do not have to make an appointment at the Oman Embassy. After completing the digital application form and submitting the required documents, your application will be processed. After the visa is granted, it will be sent by email as a digital PDF document. You need to print this document in order to show you have a valid visa upon arrival in Oman.
Different types of the Oman visa
The cost of the Oman visa depends on the type of visa you need for your trip. The differences between the visa types concern the allowed number of trips and the maximum duration of stay. With a single-entry visa, you can enter Oman once. A single-entry visa for a stay of up to ten days costs £49.95, , while a single-entry visa for a stay of up to 30 days costs £89.95 Do you want to make multiple trips to Oman? In that case, you can choose the multiple-entry visa, which you can use to travel to the country multiple times during a year. In that case, each stay may last 30 days, and you have to take into account a cost of £159.95.
Please note: this news article about the visa for Oman is more than one year old. It might contain outdated information and advice, and no rights can therefore be derived from this article. Are you going on a trip soon and do you wish to do know what rules currently apply? Read all about the up-to-date information about the visa for Oman.