The Royal Oman Police (ROP) has announced a significant reduction in the minimum salary expatriates must earn in order to obtain a family visa in an effort to promote family reunification and attract skilled foreign workers to Oman.

A minimum salary of 150 Omani riyals (Dh1,431 or $390) will now qualify expats to bring their families to Oman.

In the past, expats were required to earn at least OMR350 per month to qualify for a dependent visa. The reduction of the salary ceiling is expected to have a positive impact on the well-being of expat workers and their families, as they can now reunite and build a more stable life in Oman.

Sponsors may also be in a better position to assess their capacity to support their families in Oman as a result of the new policy, which gives them the authority to decide their family's status.

By attracting skilled workers, the decision to reduce the salary requirement is expected to boost Oman's economy. According to economic analysts, expats’ spending will contribute to the country’s economic growth.

The role expat workers play in Oman's economy has been highlighted by experts, who say that losing them, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, would be detrimental to the country's economy.

Oman's new visa policy should foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for expats, while also promoting economic growth and stability.