
The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) announced that the Sri Lankan Embassy in Oman has issued a warning against traveling to Oman for employment purposes on a tourist visa, following a notice from the Royal Oman Police.
The SLBFE emphasized that a tourist visa cannot be converted into an employment visa, and individuals are prohibited from working in Oman with a tourist visa.
The Sri Lankan Embassy in Muscat has urged job seekers to strictly adhere to the regulations and guidelines set by the SLBFE when pursuing lawful employment in Oman.
The Embassy noted an alarming increase in the number of Sri Lankans stranded in Oman after entering the country on tourist visas, despite clear instructions from both Sri Lankan and Omani authorities.
According to the Royal Oman Police, starting from on 31st of October 2023, converting a tourist visa into an employment visa has been prohibited, and job seekers are advised to avoid entering Oman on a tourist visa.
The Sri Lankan Embassy has also advised nationals already in Oman on tourist visas to leave before their visas expire, to avoid penalties.
Those who overstay their visas in Oman will face additional fines imposed by Omani authorities before they can depart, the Embassy warned.