Oman sees infiltration despite intense crackdown
Published: 06:10 AM,Oct 13,2026 | EDITED : 10:10 AM,Oct 13,2026
The Royal Oman Police and other competent competing authorities have been cracking down on infiltration in various parts of the country as they pose serious threat to the safety and security of citizens and residents for their illegal activities.
The Police Command of Al Wusta Governorate arrested five individuals of African nationality for entering the country illegally and detained another person for transporting them in his private vehicle and facilitating their entry.
South Al Batinah Governorate Police Command has arrested 16 Asian nationals in the Wilayat of Barka while attempting to illegally enter the country by sea.
The Muscat Governorate Police Command has arrested an Arab national for trespassing on a residence in the Wilayat of Bausher and stealing two safes containing gold jewelry and valuables estimated at RO70,000.
The Police Command of Muscat Governorate detained a group of women of Asian and African nationalities for engaging in acts contrary to public morals and decency and violating the Labour Law and the Foreigners’ Residence Law.
15 Asian nationals were apprehended in the Wilayat of Daba by the Police Command of Musandam Governorate while attempting to enter the country illegally.
The Police Command in the Governorate of Al Buraimi, in coordination with the Special Police Tasks Unit, arrested 12 Asian and African individuals for violating the Labour Law and the Expatriate Residency Law.
Legal procedures are being completed in all cases.
Legal procedures are being completed in all cases.
The biggest danger of infiltration, according to the ROP, is that some people would hire them because they think their price is low and they want to reduce the cost.
The reason why they like to trespass is perhaps to find a job because there are not enough opportunities to work in their home.
Secondly, they might be wanted by their concerned authorities or the security authorities and escape being detained or held accountable. Other intentions include smuggling drugs, like transferring some thoughts and culture that do not contradict our beliefs.
Secondly, they might be wanted by their concerned authorities or the security authorities and escape being detained or held accountable. Other intentions include smuggling drugs, like transferring some thoughts and culture that do not contradict our beliefs.
As per the Foreigners Residency Law, the illegal entrant can get a sentence of not less than a month and not more than three years, and a fine between RO100 and RO500. Those responsible for hiring and accommodating infiltrators will be subject to a fine between RO1,000 and RO2,000 and imprisonment for about 10 to 30 days.
The problem with infiltration is that authorities have no data about them if they are caught, and secondly, they might be involved with gangs that pose threats because of their likely involvement in the transfer of weapons, drug smuggling, and serious crimes. Some countries do not have embassies, which sometimes might take longer for the concerned authorities to search for the embassy for that trespasser, so he will spend a longer time in detention.
Authorities have been conducting awareness campaigns on the dangers of accommodating or hiring someone without any documentation.
The ROP says that once an infiltrator is arrested, he is immediately referred for legal procedures, and besides, they get in touch with their embassies for deportation.
Challenges posed by infiltration.
- Difficult to conduct an investigation when an infiltrator commits a crime due to the absence of a database.
- Extra burden on healthcare due to the spread of diseases, especially if employed in the fisheries and agriculture sector.
- Spread of bad behaviors, including the use of drugs.