A senior official of the ROP said that expats who are outside Oman for more than six months will have to obtain an exemption certificate from the ROP (Royal Oman Police) to enter Oman again. The Royal Oman Police recently published an announcement of the conditions for requesting an exemption of the 180-day period from the employee or worker who are outside the Sultanate, the following documents are required:

1- A letter must be written addressing the Director of Administrative and Financial Affairs At the General Administration of Passports and Residence, requesting the return of the employee or worker to the Sultanate but the visa must be valid.

2- A photo copy of the passport or ID card of the employee or worker.

3- A photo copy of the commercial registration papers.

4- A photo copy of the authorized signatory in the company.

5- From the date of issuance of the certificate return ticket should be attach within a period of 14 days.

A senior official from the Royal Oman Police, (ROP), mentioned exclusively that “According to normal procedures, the residency of expat worker ends as a expats remaining outside the Sultanate for a period of more than 180 days, but due to COVID 19 and the inability of expats to return to the Sultanate within 180 days, employers have option to apply for an exemption certificate from the 180-day system.