Oman will allow residents who have stayed outside for more than six months to enter the sultanate after obtaining necessary approvals from the authorities. As per the law, residents who exceed their stay outside Oman for more than 180 days are not eligible to enter the country. 

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Brigadier Said al Asmi, Director General of Operations, Royal Oman Police, said that the residence status will remain valid even if the expatriate remains abroad for more than 180 days, taking into account the circumstances due to COVID-19 pandemic.

“For expatiates who stayed outside the country for more than six months because of the airport closure will be allowed to return according to special permissions obtained from the concerned authorities,” Brigadier Asmi said.

For those whose visas have expired and are stranded abroad, ROP had earlier said they can renew their visas online through their employer or sponsor and can return to the country once the airports reopen.