Expats who work in government agencies can now sponsor visa applicants in Oman, according to local media reports.
According to the Times of Oman, the decision by the Royal Oman Police also means that foreigners who own certain properties can receive a visa without a sponsor.
“This means that expatriates will be able to become sponsors of their own family members as long as they meet certain conditions,” a police official is quoted as saying by the newspaper.
Jamal Al Abri, a member of Oman’s Shura and chairman of the ‘Committee to address the Repercussions of the Economic Crisis on Society’, is quoted as saying that the move is designed to help attract foreign investors.
“This decree will definitely help the Sultanate achieve its goal of making Oman an attractive area for foreign investors,” he said. “An expatriate owning a building in a tourist complex means that it will aid in attracting more tourists. Both locals and expats can fund such complex.”
In a separate announcement, Omani authorities also said that tourists can now enter the Sultanate for 10 days for OMR 5 ($12.99), in addition to the currently existing one-month and one-year tourist.
Recent figures from Oman’s Ministry of Tourism show that visitor numbers to the country rose 5 percent to 3.3 million last year.
By 2040, Oman plans to attract 5 million visitors for year and employ 500,000 people in the tourism sector.
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