Staff Reporter :
The Sultanate of Oman has announced exemptions to its visa ban imposed last October against Bangladeshi nationals seeking visas, according to a press release issued by the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Bangladesh on Wednesday.
The exemptions apply to specific categories, including family visas, visitation visas for Bangladeshi citizens residing in GCC countries, and visas for professionals such as physicians, engineers, nurses, teachers, accountants, investors, as well as all types of official visas and high-income tourists.
The press release further states that the Oman embassy in Dhaka will now receive and process applications for these categories.
The Royal Oman Police (ROP) will coordinate with the embassy to issue the visas, which will be processed within one to four weeks based on the specific requirements of each application.
“The authorities from both countries are working to lift the ban as soon as possible and that many steps have been taken to that end,” the Oman embassy release mentioned.
The visa ban, initially imposed for technical reasons related to the regular review of the migrant labor market in Oman, is described as apolitical in nature.
“The both countries are enjoying excellent bilateral relations that are constantly growing and expanding in many fields under the wise and enlightened leadership of both the Bangladeshi and Omani governments respectively,” the release stated.
The Sultanate of Oman has taken this step to reinforce the strong bilateral ties and facilitate travel for Bangladeshi nationals meeting the specified criteria.