Expats employed in public sector can sponsor only housemaids: ROP

Contrary to a media report published in a local newspaper yesterday which claimed that expatriates working with government agencies can sponsor other expats across visa categories, ROP has said that expatriates working in the government sector will be allowed to sponsor only their housemaids.

The new decision (No 129/2018) issued on June 13 by Lt Gen Hassan bin Mohsen al Shuraiqi, Inspector General of Police and Customs, states that ‘foreigners working in the government sector’ is added to Clause 1 of Article 14 in the old decision, which defines sponsorship rules.

The law previously mentioned Omani or GCC nationals, a foreigner who has an investment permit, and a foreigner owning a built property in an Integrated Tourism Complex as qualifying sponsors under Article 14 (1).

Article 8 of the new decision adds a new category for individuals who qualify to act as sponsors under Article 14 (1): Foreigners working for the government.

Speaking to Muscat Daily , an ROP official said that earlier housemaid visas were granted in the sponsorship/name of the government entity where the expatriate was employed. “Now the expatriate government employee can get the housemaid visa directly under his sponsorship,” the official explained.

This article originally appeared on: https://www.muscatdaily.com/Archive/Oman/Expats-employed-in-public-sector-can-sponsor-only-housemaids-ROP-59rm