Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman has partially lifted its visa ban on Bangladeshi nationals — a restriction that had been in place since October 2023. The Omani Embassy in Dhaka confirmed the exemptions for specific categories in an official statement, offering relief to thousands of Bangladeshis with professional, family, or GCC-based ties to Oman.
Which Categories Are Now Exempt from the Oman Visa Ban
The partial lift covers a defined list of visa types and applicant profiles. The following categories of Bangladeshi nationals are now exempt from the ban:
- Family visas - Visitation visas for Bangladeshi citizens already residing in GCC countries - Professional visas for physicians, engineers, nurses, teachers, and accountants - Investor visas - All types of official visas - High-income tourist visas
Applicants in these categories can now submit their visa applications through the Omani Embassy in Dhaka, which will coordinate directly with the Royal Oman Police (ROP) for issuance.
How to Apply and Processing Times
All applications must include duly attested documentation to verify eligibility for the exemption. Processing times will range from one to four weeks, depending on the complexity and completeness of each application.
The embassy stressed that applicants should ensure their supporting documents are fully attested before submission to avoid delays.
Work Visa Ban Remains in Force
The work visa ban — the most significant restriction affecting Bangladeshi migrant workers — remains fully in place. The Omani Embassy was clear that this restriction is apolitical, arising from technical reasons connected to the ongoing regular review of Oman's foreign labour market.
The ROP originally suspended all new visa issuances for Bangladeshi nationals on 31 October 2023. The move led to a sharp drop in Bangladeshi arrivals in Oman.
Both Omani and Bangladeshi authorities are actively working to lift the remaining work visa restrictions. The embassy said efforts are ongoing and that the ban is expected to be lifted as soon as possible.
Oman-Bangladesh Bilateral Relations
Despite the visa restrictions, Oman and Bangladesh maintain strong bilateral relations that have continued to develop under the leadership of both governments. The partial exemption signals a constructive step toward restoring full mobility between the two countries.
