Oman: Residents do not need approval to return from October 1

Dubai: Residents with valid visas do not need approval from the Foreign Ministry to return to Oman, a top official said.

The move comes after more than six months of COVID-19 precautionary measures as thousands of expatriate residents have been stranded abroad since the suspension of international flights in March.

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Ali Al Harthi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign for Diplomatic Affairs and a member of the Supreme Committee for Tackling COVID-19, said holders of valid residency visa can return to the Sultanate from October 1 without the need to get approval from the ministry.

“Those with valid residency visas are not required to obtain approval from the Foreign Ministry for their return to the Sultanate. However, they need to have a PCR test on arrival and adhere to a two-week quarantine,” he added.

This is in line with the recent decision issued by the Supreme Committee in-charge of dealing with COVID-19, which states that a PCR test and a 14-day quarantine are compulsory for valid residence visa holders who wish to return to Oman.