Sultan Haitam bin Tariq, the ruler of Oman, has ordered a reduction in visa fees for foreigners. The Ministry of Human Resources has released the revised visa rates. The sultan made the announcement during a meeting with the sheikhs of the governorates of Muscat, South Batina and Musantam at the Al Ahlam Palace.
Accordingly, the maximum rate for obtaining and renewing a new work visa will be 301 riyals. Companies and institutions that fully implement the repatriation rate can get a discount of up to 85% on visa fees. The new visa rate will come into effect from June 1 this year. The visa is valid for two years.
Under the new rates, the visa fee for those working in the highest category will be 301 riyals. Until May 1 last year, the visa fee was 2001 riyals. There are 74 posts in this category. Institutions that have fully implemented the government-mandated repatriation rate will be charged 211 riyals.
The visa fee for middle class workers has been reduced to 251. This includes those in the specialized category and those working in the technical fields. Until now, the charges in this category ranged from 601 riyals to 1001 riyals. Companies that complete the repatriation rate will be charged only 176 riyals.
The visa fee for the third category has been reduced to 201 riyals. Earlier, this category was charged between 301 riyals and 361 riyals. Institutions that have completed the repatriation rate will have to pay 141 riyals. The new rate for domestic work visas is 101 riyals. The visa fee for farmers has been reduced from 201 riyals to 141 riyals. In addition, the sultan ordered the complete exclusion of 25 other food items from the vat. This brings the total number of VAT exempted products to 513.