Oman’s decision to suspend the issuance of all types of visas to Bangladeshis is temporary to streamline the regulation of the foreign labour market and is not political, the sultanate’s embassy in Dhaka said on Thursday.
“Oman recalls with utmost respect and gratitude the contributions made and being made by the Bangladeshi expatriates while appreciating the close and brotherly relations with the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh,” it said.
Oman issued a notice on Tuesday suspending the issuance of all types of visas to Bangladeshi nationals until further notice. However, it did not mention the reason in its announcement on X, leading to much speculation.
Bangladeshi nationals top the list of expatriate workers in Oman with a total of 703,840 individuals, followed by 530,242 Indians, according to a July report. The number has increased by more than 150,000 in the past year.
The suspension decision came weeks after an official delegation from Oman visited Dhaka. Ambassador Dr Sulaiman Saud Al Jabri, head of the legal department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led the visit from 11 to 14 October.
During the meeting with Foreign Minister Masud Bin Momen, the delegation expressed interest in signing two MoUs with Bangladesh, including one on combating illegal migration and human trafficking.
The embassy in Dhaka on Thursday clarified the content of the Royal Oman Police announcement, saying it was part of a “comprehensive review process” being carried out by the relevant authorities in Muscat.
This is being done to “streamline the regulation of the expatriate labour market in line with the needs and employers as per the labour laws”.
“The decision to suspend the issuance of visas includes other nationalities and is temporary in nature. The competent authorities are making sincere efforts and are keen to complete the review process as soon as possible in order to resume the issuance of visas in accordance with the guidelines and regulations that will complete the review process,” the statement said.
“In fact, the review process is based on technical and legal factors that serve and protect the interests of an expatriate worker and the employer and ensure the stability of the expatriate labour market in Oman.
“The Sultanate of Oman values and deeply appreciates the contribution of Bangladeshi expatriate workers to the development process and economic growth in Oman.
“Oman demonstrates its keenness to enhance bilateral relations with the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in a manner that serves the common interests of both countries,” the embassy said.
“We reiterate and affirm that the decision announced here is in no way and under no circumstances political in nature, rather Oman recalls with utmost respect and gratitude the contributions made and being made by Bangladeshi expatriates, while appreciating the close and brotherly relations with the government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.”
