Expats can convert visit visas to work permit

Muscat: A decision to amend some provisions of the executive regulations of the Foreigners’ Residence Law was issued by Lt Gen Hasan bin Mohsin al Shraiqi, Inspector-General of Police and Customs, on Sunday. The decision stipulates to amend some provisions of the executive regulations of the Foreigners’ Residence Law issued by Royal Decree No 16/95, and to the executive regulations of the Foreigners’ Residence Law issued by Resolution 63/96, based on the requirements of the public interest.

Article 1 seeks to replace the text of the last paragraph of Article (10) of the Executive Regulations of the Foreigners’ Residence Law. “The competent authority may transfer the effects stipulated in Clauses (3/A, 3/B, 3/D, 3/E, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16) from this article to a work permit or temporary work if available as per the conditions, controls set by the competent authority, and after payment of the prescribed fee.

The second article states that anything that contradicts this decision or contradicts its provisions shall be repealed. Article 3 states that this decision shall be published in the official Gazette and shalltake effect from the day following the date of its publication. With this decision, expatriates and visitors entering Oman on visit visas can get them converted into work permits. The rule also applies to those with family joining visas and student visas, among others, provided stipulated conditions are met. 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 up to 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.