Oman Grants Amnesty to Migrants Until End of July
- Publish date: Friday، 23 May 2025
The Royal Oman Police has announced a new amnesty period for migrant workers in Oman, running until 31 July 2025. This gives migrants with irregular status a chance to renew their residency permits or transfer to new employers without paying fines for overstaying or expired visas.
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In a move that’s being welcomed by many, foreigners on non-work-related visas, like visit visas or family-sponsored visas, can now leave Oman without having to pay overstay fines. However, it's still unclear if the same applies to migrants with expired work permits who wish to exit the country.
To support the process, several embassies have stepped in, appointing volunteers to help their citizens navigate the amnesty procedures.
The Bigger Picture: Kafala System Still in Place
While the amnesty offers some relief, it doesn’t address the root of the problem. Oman still operates under the Kafala (sponsorship) system, which gives employers the power to renew or cancel a worker’s residency status. That means many workers lose their legal status through no fault of their own and often can’t fix it without their employer’s help.
Crackdown Continues Despite Amnesty
Despite the grace period, Omani authorities haven’t slowed down on enforcement. Just a week after the amnesty was announced, the Royal Oman Police reported arrests of several migrants for violating labour and residency laws.
Uneven Accountability
Oman’s labour and immigration rules continue to place the burden on migrant workers, while rarely penalizing employers who break the rules. Although the Ministry of Labour reduced penalties for employers involved in labour violations last year, many argue this doesn’t go far enough in protecting workers’ rights.
Bottom Line
If you're a migrant worker in Oman with an expired visa or irregular status, this amnesty period could be a critical opportunity to sort out your situation but don’t wait until the last minute. With the deadline set for 31 July 2025, now is the time to act.
