Saudi Celebrates National Day with Fireworks, Concerts, & Cultural Shows

Saudi Celebrates National Day with Fireworks, Concerts, & Art Exhibits

As the Kingdom celebrated its 89th National Day last September 23, fireworks show, concerts, and cultural events were hosted by the government in cooperation with relevant departments.

As part of its 89th anniversary as a Kingdom, the government has aired plans to arrange several seasons for a tourist attraction to align with its economic plan under the Saudi Vision 2030 to diversify the country’s economy.

Saudi Celebrates National Day with Fireworks, Concerts, & Art Exhibits

Concerts, Fireworks, & Cultural Activities Banner Saudi National Day Celebration

Accordingly, the Kingdom has created drafts for 11 different seasons for this year. Among these is the season of National celebration, which transformed the Kingdom to an entertainment hub from September 19 to 23, as shared in a report by Al Arabiya English.

For the festive season, the kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA) has organized over 70 different events across various regions of Saudi Arabia to celebrate the period with passion and patriotism.

Of note, the slogan for the event according to Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman was “Himma Hatta al-Qimma” which means strength until the end, by which the Crown Prince likened Saudi’s strength to the Tuwaiq Mountain near Riyadh.

Moreover, the kingdom also observed a four-day holiday starting September 19 to 23 in both the public and private sectors.

As part of the celebrations, huge fireworks were launched during this period, and a firework show was also hosted in Jeddah at the AL-Hamra Corniche and in other cities which will be accompanied with sounds, music, lighting, as well as a laser show.

Furthermore, as part of the 5-day Dhahran exhibition, an international show, especially organized for the National Day, was presented by the world’s largest theatrical producer “Cirque du Soleil”.

There were also various concerts staged by local and international singers throughout the country during the 5-day period.

And finally, inspirational forums were also held by the nation’s leaders to inspire the people and to give them hope through their words and experiences.

For his part, Amr Banaja of the GEA expressed his gratitude to the security authorities for their efforts to make the season a success, as well as to all government, private, and non-profit sectors, for their commitment to this initiative.

Following this period, the Kingdom will next observe the Riyadh Season, which will bring 14 international star acts and an array of exclusive shows to the country’s capital, starting next month.

Meanwhile, nationals and friends of Saudi Arabia from all over the world have expressed their delight and unity via social media as the Kingdom celebrates its 89th anniversary as a unified power in the Middle East.

ALSO READ: Saudi Arabia Launches World’s First Flowerman Festival

Assembly Proposal to Limit Gov’t Hospital Services to Kuwaitis Only

Assembly Proposal to Limit Services to Kuwaitis Only at Gov’t Hospitals

In a controversial announcement, the Kuwaiti government has proposed to limit the medical services offered by government hospitals to Kuwaiti nationals only. However, the government clarified that this will not be implemented immediately in consideration of the large expat community in the country.

It can be recalled that government hospitals have started imposing higher fees to expats by as much as KD 10, according to the health ministry.

Assembly Proposal to Limit Services to Kuwaitis Only at Gov’t Hospitals
Credits: CamelKW/Flickr

Kuwait Government Hospitals to Limit Services to Kuwaitis Soon

The Health Committee at the National Assembly brought up the issue and approved the proposal of limiting treatment in government-owned hospitals to Kuwaitis and Gulf Nationals only, as shared in a report by the Kuwait Times.

Of note, the proposal also focuses on the number of Kuwaitis compared to expats. Since Kuwaitis have a smaller number compared to expats, this means greater benefit to locals whom the government plans to improve their services for.

In a survey released in 2014, Kuwait is home to 2.4 million foreign nationals. Based on these figures, around 1.2 million expats are working in the private sector whereas over 99,000 are employed by the government.

Furthermore, there are more than 600,000 domestic helpers working in Kuwait, making it one of the highest in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the loose alliance that comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Since 2014, government authorities have called for the deportation of 280,000 expats every year within the next five years to help provide a solution to the imbalanced demographic in the country.

However, in a recent survey released by InterNations, Kuwait was once again named as the ‘worst destination’ for expats citing reasons such as difficulty in making friends with the locals.

Kuwait has topped the said list for two consecutive years, and has also been dubbed the third-worst country in terms of the ‘health and well-being’ of expats and ‘sense of alienation and affection’.

Job satisfaction and economic situation are some of the issues encountered by expatriates in Kuwait. Other countries considered as ‘worst country of destination’ for expats are Italy, Nigeria, Brazil, Turkey, India, United Kingdom, Greece, Russia, and South Korea.

Owing to these actions highlighted by the government in line with the nation’s drive to push for Kuwaitization until 2023, more expats are facing challenges in their stay in the country as well as in keeping their jobs in the long term.

ALSO READ: [Guide] Applying for a Temporary Residence Visa Extension in Kuwait

First E-Mall Soon to Open in Oman

First E-Mall Soon to Open in Oman

Online shopping, though very popular in most parts of the world, is still not as big in places such as Oman. However, all that is about to change with the announcement of the first home-grown fully-integrated shopping portal in the Sultanate.

Though still in its infancy, much talk and excitement is building up in the Gulf country as the first e-mall in the Sultanate will soon be introduced in the retail market.

First E-Mall Soon to Open in Oman
Credits: Jeeblee

First Omani E-Mall to be Launched Soon

The up and coming shopping portal, Jeeblee Online, is the first-of-its-kind Omani firm to allow consumers to purchase online, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, as shared in a report by the Muscat Daily.

The announcement regarding the e-mall launch was made at the Oman E-Commerce Conference, which was held this week.

As per reports, the E-mall has 60 local and international brands and promises to deliver goods to consumers within 24-48 hours in Oman.

In a tweet, Ali al Lawati, owner of the Jeeblee Online, shared, “The first E-mall in the sultanate has been unveiled. The platform will have a lot of brands and bring shopping to the fingertips of the people.”

The two-day conference where the retail project was announced was attended by executives in the field of e-commerce from across the world.

In terms of retail performance, Oman’s total wholesale and retail trade has seen a steady rise of 2.3 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2012 to 2017.

With the Sultanate’s overall economic growth, it has drawn significant investments in the retail sector. Though the current retail landscape in the Sultanate is largely dominated by standalone units, the concept of organized retail in the form of malls and shopping centers are gaining prominence.

At present, the e-commerce market in Oman accounts to only 1% of total sales. It is still a budding market and has ample opportunities to grow in the future.

On the other hand, the global e-commerce market is about to reach US$ 2 trillion by 2020 and have a share of 7.8% of all sales. In developed nations, e-commerce share ranges from 45-80%.

China and India have seen a revolution in e-commerce industry in the past decade. Many companies are established during this time and became billion-dollar companies.

In Oman, however, more than 20% of the population has only made at least one (1) online purchase in 2014. Despite Oman having one of the highest smartphone usages in the Middle East, only 8% of the population engaged in mobile shopping. Most of the items purchased online in Oman are groceries and music products.

According to research, e-shopping Omani consumers spend most of their money on:

  • Clothing
  • Airlines
  • Groceries(Food)
  • Travel
  • Beauty Care
  • Medicine
  • Coupons
  • Hotels

Of note, important factors that influence consumer preferences in the Sultanate include ease of use, pricing, customer service, and financial inclusion.

These are just some of the things which e-commerce leaders should look into so as to ensure the success of their business ventures in a relatively new and conservative market such as that of Oman’s.

ALSO READ: FinanceMinistry Introduces New Rules for Duty-Free Shops in Oman

UAE Ranks Among Top Arab Countries for Social Progress

UAE Ranks Among Top Arab Countries for Social Progress

The UAE has once again outshone its neighboring countries in the Middle East in terms of social progress according to a new report.

The 2019 Social Progress Index – which ranks countries around the world based on 51 indicators, which include inclusiveness, human rights, health, education, safety, affordable housing and more – finds the UAE once again in the top spot in the Gulf region. The UAE also ranked higher than countries such as China, India, Russia, and Turkey.

UAE Ranks Among Top Arab Countries for Social Progress
Credits: Wikimedia Commons

UAE Leads GCC Nations in Social Progress for 2019 – Report

According to the said report, the UAE ranks 61st overall in terms of social progress, as shared in a report by the Khaleej Times.

Garnering a total score of 69.84, the UAE edged all of the GCC nations on the list. Although it remained at the top in the region, it did fall 16 places from the 45th position last year according to the data compiled by the Social Progress Imperative – a US-based non-profit organization.

Of note, the UAE has been bracketed along with several resource-rich countries including Russia (62nd, 69.71 points), Qatar (64th, 69.37 points), and Kazakhstan (69th, 68.20).

Interestingly, the UAE achieved the top score with the first rating in a number of sub-indexes including undernourishment of population, access to electricity and mobile telephone subscription.

The emirates also scored highly in vulnerable employment, perceived criminality, discrimination, and violence against minorities, Internet users, and access to online governance, quality of electricity supply and primary school enrollment of children and corruption sub-indexes.

Across the region, the UAE is followed by Jordan, Qatar, Oman, Algeria, Morocco, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia among the Arab countries. Among other major countries, Turkey was ranked 72nd, China 89th, the Philippines 94th, Egypt 96th, India 102nd, and Pakistan 125th.

Meanwhile, since the first Social Progress Index in 2014, the US has consistently shown underperformance relative to its GDP per capita. This is exceptional among leading economies. This trend continues in 2019 as the US ranks 26th in the world on social progress, below Slovenia and Estonia and the lowest among the G7.

While there’s still a long way to get to the overall top, the UAE is leading the way for its counterparts in the region through its inclusive approach to society-building bannered by the values enacted by its founder Sheikh Zayed, and as observed through its themes such as the ‘Year of Tolerance’ for 2019, and the country’s goal in uplifting its residents’ quality of life and increasing their happiness.

ALSO READ: UAE Lands in Top 10 Best Countries for Expats Worldwide

Saudi Government Rejects Need to Accept Foreign Consultancy Firms

Government departments and agencies in the Kingdom have been forbidden to use the services of foreign consultancy firms as per instruction from the national government. The royal order issued concerning this, states that contracts can only be signed off with foreign consultancy companies only when there is no Saudi alternative available. Saudi Limits the Need to Hire Consultancy Services from Foreign Firms The decree was based on a ruling upheld by the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, following recommendations by its Experts’ Committee, as shared in a report by the Saudi Gazette. According to the report, previous discussions by the Shoura Council had taken place with regard to government agencies and foreign companies, with a recommendation to provide more consultancy work for Saudi firms. The resolution aims to tap into the capabilities of local firms, highlighting the opportunity given to citizens to create their mark in the industry they are involved with. Under the order, all the government departments and agencies are obliged to sign contracts with only experienced Saudi consultancy offices and companies. At that time, the value of contracts awarded to foreign firms was estimated to be around SAR 12 billion ($3.2bn) based on a report by the General Auditing Bureau. The decree was based on a decision of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers as part of integrating the recommendations of its Experts’ Committee, which examined the subject. The report came after conducting a thorough review of the foreign consultancy contracts of the government agencies during the past financial years. The deliberations prompted Shoura members to call on the authorities to take measures to provide consultancy services for the Saudi firms. The members of the council noted that there are dozens of national research centers operating under the umbrella of universities or the private sector that can take advantage of this core activity involving huge amounts of money. The hope is that national research centres based in universities or the private sector can take advantage of the new order. With this change, more opportunities are now being offered to Saudi nationals to maximize their skills, talents, and expertise to help improve their respective industries as well as the overall economy. It should be noted, though, that government agencies and companies may still avail services of foreign consultancy firms when there are no Saudi alternative to offer this service in a particular field or industry. ALSO READ: Here are the Booming Job Sectors in UAE, Saudi Arabia

Government departments and agencies in the Kingdom have been forbidden to use the services of foreign consultancy firms as per instruction from the national government.

The royal order issued concerning this, states that contracts can only be signed off with foreign consultancy companies only when there is no Saudi alternative available.

Government departments and agencies in the Kingdom have been forbidden to use the services of foreign consultancy firms as per instruction from the national government. The royal order issued concerning this, states that contracts can only be signed off with foreign consultancy companies only when there is no Saudi alternative available. Saudi Limits the Need to Hire Consultancy Services from Foreign Firms The decree was based on a ruling upheld by the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, following recommendations by its Experts’ Committee, as shared in a report by the Saudi Gazette. According to the report, previous discussions by the Shoura Council had taken place with regard to government agencies and foreign companies, with a recommendation to provide more consultancy work for Saudi firms. The resolution aims to tap into the capabilities of local firms, highlighting the opportunity given to citizens to create their mark in the industry they are involved with. Under the order, all the government departments and agencies are obliged to sign contracts with only experienced Saudi consultancy offices and companies. At that time, the value of contracts awarded to foreign firms was estimated to be around SAR 12 billion ($3.2bn) based on a report by the General Auditing Bureau. The decree was based on a decision of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers as part of integrating the recommendations of its Experts’ Committee, which examined the subject. The report came after conducting a thorough review of the foreign consultancy contracts of the government agencies during the past financial years. The deliberations prompted Shoura members to call on the authorities to take measures to provide consultancy services for the Saudi firms. The members of the council noted that there are dozens of national research centers operating under the umbrella of universities or the private sector that can take advantage of this core activity involving huge amounts of money. The hope is that national research centres based in universities or the private sector can take advantage of the new order. With this change, more opportunities are now being offered to Saudi nationals to maximize their skills, talents, and expertise to help improve their respective industries as well as the overall economy. It should be noted, though, that government agencies and companies may still avail services of foreign consultancy firms when there are no Saudi alternative to offer this service in a particular field or industry. ALSO READ: Here are the Booming Job Sectors in UAE, Saudi Arabia
Credits: Saudi Press Agency

Saudi Limits Need to Hire Consultancy Services from Foreign Firms

The decree was based on a ruling upheld by the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, following recommendations by its Experts’ Committee, as shared in a report by the Saudi Gazette.

According to the report, previous discussions by the Shoura Council had taken place with regard to government agencies and foreign companies, with a recommendation to provide more consultancy work for Saudi firms.

The resolution aims to tap into the capabilities of local firms, highlighting the opportunity given to citizens to create their mark in the industry they are involved with.

Under the order, all the government departments and agencies are obliged to sign contracts with only experienced Saudi consultancy offices and companies.

At that time, the value of contracts awarded to foreign firms was estimated to be around SAR 12 billion ($3.2bn) based on a report by the General Auditing Bureau.

The decree was based on a decision of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers as part of integrating the recommendations of its Experts’ Committee, which examined the subject.

The report came after conducting a thorough review of the foreign consultancy contracts of the government agencies during the past financial years.

The deliberations prompted Shoura members to call on the authorities to take measures to provide consultancy services for the Saudi firms.

The members of the council noted that there are dozens of national research centers operating under the umbrella of universities or the private sector that can take advantage of this core activity involving huge amounts of money.

The hope is that national research centers based in universities or the private sector can take advantage of the new order.

With this change, more opportunities are now being offered to Saudi nationals to maximize their skills, talents, and expertise to help improve their respective industries as well as the overall economy.

It should be noted, though, that government agencies and companies may still avail services of foreign consultancy firms when there is no Saudi alternative to offer this service in a particular field or industry.

ALSO READ: Here are the Booming Job Sectors in UAE, Saudi Arabia

Finance Ministry Introduces New Rules for Duty-Free Shops in Oman

Finance Ministry Introduces New Rules for Duty-Free Shops in Oman

Oman’s Ministry of Finance has issued a new list of regulations, conditions, and procedures applicable for purchases and sales as well as establishing new duty-free shops.

The Ministerial decision comes with a list of regulations, conditions, and procedures for duty-free shops.

Finance Ministry Introduces New Rules for Duty-Free Shops in Oman
Credits: Muscat Duty Free

Oman Sets New Rules for Opening Duty-Free Shops

According to the decision issued by the ministry, “Departing passengers and transit passengers on international flights and departing aircrew members can purchase items from the duty-free shop by submitting their passports and boarding pass at the duty-free sales counters,” as shared in a report by the Times of Oman.

Accordingly, the license to start a free market will be issued for two years at a fee of RO 5,000 which is renewable for another two years for a similar fee if the request is made 30 days before the expiry of the initial license.

The new regulation has specified the procedures for obtaining a license to establish a free market, including referral to the competent authorities requesting the establishment of the free market – within its jurisdiction – to the administration to give its initial opinion to approve or not, as well as the installation of cameras and surveillance devices in the free market warehouse and other places in accordance with the specifications of the Royal Oman Police.

The companies will comply with the provisions of the regulations within a period not exceeding six months from the date of its implementation.

Duty-Free Shops at Airports

Based on Article 15, “Sales staff are obliged to deliver to the buyer, a receipt containing the number of units sold, their inventory number, the type of item, the name of the airport where the sale was made and the price of the item.”

Furthermore, the decision states, “Sales staff are prohibited from selling in the event of cancellation of the flight or if the passenger retracts from travel and in the case of flight delays where passengers can not stay in the departure lounge.”

This means that in the event of a flight cancellation, the staff shall be obliged to cancel the sale which has taken place. And in case the traveler forgets his purchases, the goods must be returned to the duty-free shop and the sales staff should cancel the sale and notify the Customs office.

It would be best to coordinate with airport officials as well as duty-free representatives regarding such changes to ensure full compliance with the regulations set by the ministry.

ALSO READ: Royal Oman Police to Launch Online Work Visa Facility this September

Ithra Dubai Begins Construction of World’s Largest Cantilever

Ithra Dubai Begins Construction of World’s Largest Cantilever

Ithra Dubai has released a statement that it is now working on the first sliding phase of the world’s largest cantilever or ‘The Link‘, on its One Za’abeel development, a new venture that will drive tourism as well as business activities in the region.

According to the update, work started on the development last September 12, 2019. The structure has been designed by Japanese architecture practice Nikken Sekkei back in 2017, which is set to become a “timeless new icon” for the emirate as it will connect two soaring Dubai towers, another architectural feat that set to become another iconic landmark in the region.

Ithra Dubai Begins Construction of World’s Largest Cantilever
Credits: WAM

‘World’s Largest Cantilever’ to Link Two Soaring Towers in Dubai

One Za’abeel is an iconic, high-rise, mixed-use luxury development currently under construction in the heart of the city, standing at the gateway of old and new Dubai.

Ithra Dubai Begins Construction of World’s Largest Cantilever
Credits: WAM

The on-going development will feature at its heart a dramatic protruding steel skybridge called “The Link”. Suspended 100m above the ground, the panoramic space will house restaurants and bars, an observation deck, a gym, a spa, a pool, a banquet hall, and a rooftop terrace, as shared in a report by the Khaleej Times.

Other than serving as a “floating event space and urban landmark” for the project, The Link will also reinforce the structural stability of both towers. Its diagonal tube structure will provide vertical and torsional strength, allowing its upper floors to utilize column-free spaces.

The two towers will feature a luxury and an ultra-luxury hotel, high-end retail, offices and residential apartments. The buildings will be mainly composed of glass with external fins, allowing them to merge into the background, evoking the sense of a shimmering mirage.

The project will erect from a two-story podium dissected by the city’s highway. The facade of this platform is inspired by horizontal layers of rock in the earth, while vertical terraces, landscaping and water features will create a feeling of ascent.

Meanwhile, the podium will be topped by an accessible landscaped green roof, and visitors can also unwind, gather and enjoy public events in an air-conditioned plaza between the two towers.

According to Ithra Dubai CEO Issam Galadari: “One Za’abeel will be a center of high-end diverse activity capable of generating interest and value for the entire area.”

He added, “The iconic shape will serve as a memorable gateway; welcoming investors, residents, citizens, and tourists to discover the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing city.”

“The project’s remarkable scale, form, and function will resonate the world over as the symbol of a prosperous Dubai,” Mr. Galadari closed.

Dubai’s infrastructure is truly one-of-a-kind and can be compared with the best in the world. With a new iconic structure set to be created in the city, tourism and business activities will surely follow.

ALSO READ: [WATCH] Sheikh Mohammed Inspects Dubai Expo 2020 Construction Progress

Saudi Arabia to Integrate Smart Technology on Bus Services

Saudi Arabia to Integrate Smart Technology on Bus Services

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia placed an order for a smart technology system from Japanese giant NEC to cover 400 buses starting next year and an additional 2,000 after five years.

Japan-based information tech giant NEC revealed that it has established a tie-up with the kingdom for the implementation of the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS).

Saudi Arabia to Integrate Smart Technology on Bus Services
Credits: Wikimedia Commons

Saudi to Introduce Smart Buses Soon

According to NEC, The ITS offers an accurate scheduling service and an automated fare collection system, which utilizes IC cards to support cashless, accurate and reliable fare collection, as well as a bus location management via GPS, as shared in a report by Arabian Business.

The initiative aims to improve transportation services for pilgrims in Makkah.

Also, the smart system provides bus information to passengers through solar-powered displays installed at bus stops and mobile applications.

The system will be applied on 400 buses starting next year, with a plan to increase the number to 2,000 in the next five years.

According to Saudi Transport Minister Nabil al-Amoudi, “7,400 planes full of pilgrims arrived this year via Jeddah and Madinah airports” and “more than 18,000 buses were mobilized” for the hajj.

Meanwhile, transport needs to be organized for the sites around Makkah.

Every year, around two million Muslims travel to Saudi Arabia during September visit Islam’s holiest places, Makkah and Medina.

Prior to this, hajj was simply a traditional ritual observed by Muslims, but today, it has also risen to prominence as a tourism destination because of the evolution of facilities over the years.

Because of this, the hajj has now become the main tourism prospect for both national and international stakeholders, mainly tour operators and hotel groups.

As part of Saudi Arabia’s support in this growing industry, the government has shown commitment by investing in hotels and preserving ancient religious sites.

Apart from the growing influx of international pilgrims from countries with large Muslim populations, domestic pilgrims have also provided a steady source of tourism revenue from this religious event.

Of note, international pilgrims come from countries such as India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Morocco, and Algeria.

As the government continues to throw its support on one of the region’s biggest international events, more initiatives geared on improving the services related to the observance of hajj such as those in the transport, retail, and hotel industries are starting to adopt smart technology to improve the pilgrims’ overall hajj experience.

ALSO READ: [VIDEO] Here’s How Muslims Celebrated Eid on Final Days of Hajj in Saudi Arabia

Bahrain to Ban Use of Plastic Table Rolls

Bahrain to Ban Use of Plastic Table Rolls

As calls for environmental reforms are becoming more pronounced more than ever, the Kingdom of Bahrain has approved a resolution that will ban table plastic rolls, which are non-biodegradable, starting next year, as announced by the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE).

According to the SCE, the second phase of the ministerial resolution aims to curb the amount of plastic used in the Kingdom, which has an adverse effect on the environment.

Bahrain to Ban Use of Plastic Table Rolls

Soon, Plastic Table Rolls to be Banned in Bahrain

The said initiative is expected to be rolled out in July of next year. Aside from plastic table rolls, more items will be included in the second phase of the ban and will be announced later, as shared in a report by the Bahrain Daily Tribune.

In line with the directives of the Government Executive Committee chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa – and pursuant of the Ministerial Committee for Urbanisation and Infrastructure’s Order Number (7-731-2019), which deals with the regulation and reduction of plastic usage, the Ministerial Order Number (11) of 2019 with respect to the technical regulations for plastic products has been put into effect last July.

According to the SCE, companies that need to continue using plastic bags for their day-to-day operations will need to apply for a license.

In line with this, non-biodegradable garbage bags have also been banned since last month. The new non-biodegradable garbage bags, which will soon replace the plastic bags will also not come at additional costs to the public, the Council reassured.

Meanwhile, a study piloted by the SCE revealed that the transition to eco-friendly and biodegradable garbage bags will not affect the plastic products manufacturing sector in the kingdom.

It’s interesting to learn that a small country such as Bahrain is taking big steps in protecting the environment.

With laws already establishing a system that is more attuned to the needs of the planet, hopefully, more people will also support the cause by adopting some lifestyle changes which are geared towards preserving the environment and being more conscious of the choices we make in our everyday living.

By saying “no” to single-use plastics, we can spare our environment several hundreds of years of toxic problems, which would ultimately, come back to us, as well as the future generation.

By showing our simple support to the campaigns launched by the government in relation to preserving the environment, we are already showing our willingness to be part of the change, which we owe the future generation.

ALSO READ: [Guide] What You Need to Know About Working in Bahrain

Royal Oman Police to Launch Online Work Visa Facility this September

Royal Oman Police Targets Launch of Online Work Visa Facility this September

The Royal Oman Police (ROP) announced that it is planning to launch its online work visa facility in September this year.

Recently, the ROP has launched an e-mail notification facility on visit visas. These documents contain specific visa information such as photographs of the visa holder. There are five types of visas under the e-visa option offered by Oman’s online facility at present.

Royal Oman Police Targets Launch of Online Work Visa Facility this September
Credits: ROP

Oman to Launch Online Work Visa Facility in September

According to the ROP, “The facility is likely to be available from the second half of September. We conducted a trial run with a few companies last month to iron out the glitches. Everything went well and there were no issues. We are hopeful that everything will be in place before the launch”, as shared in a report by the Muscat Daily.

Furthermore, the e-visa facility will be made available via https://evisa.rop.gov.om. The ROP explained that company representatives can also visit the website to gain a better understanding of the online work visa application system.

Of note, only Oman-issued debit cards can be used for payment to conform to the Central Bank of Oman’s new regulations.

“This is mandatory for receiving online applications for work visas. Some Sanad offices are already providing the e-visa facility. This service will be extended and used much more once the online facility is introduced,” an ROP representative disclosed.

Among the visa types offered under the e-visa facility are unsponsored tourist visas for GCC and Group 1 countries; sponsored tourist visas for remaining countries (other than those in the Group 1 category); multiple-entry visas for one year and multiple-entry visa for ten years for American citizens as well as Express visas.

The Oman eVisa was first introduced in March 2018 to streamline the process of obtaining a Tourist visa to visit the country. However, Oman is now specifying that visitors to the country will need to apply for visas a week in advance of travel.

In a statement shared by the ROP, “It is recommended to have the application sent at least one week before you travel.” The directive also applies to those applying for tourist visas which need to be used for “one month from the date of issue.”

Of note, the Sultanate has recently stopped issuing visas on arrival in February 2019.

There is currently a temporary ‘Visa on arrival kiosks’ in Muscat International airport. However, for those who didn’t apply for an eVisa, there is no information on how long these kiosks are going to be there for, so it’s advisable to apply for an eVisa before flying Oman.

ALSO READ: Oman to Introduce Expat Visa Ban for Senior Management Roles