Oman

Changes were made to Oman’s Law on the Control of Communicable Diseases as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The additions reiterated the need for all residents infected with a communicable disease to receive medical care and treatment in government treatment facilities. Failure to do so by any foreigners or foreigners caught in activities that risk the spread of listed communicable diseases are subject to possible deportation from the country. Additional articles established the requirement for individuals entering the country who are infected or suspected of being infected to notify this information to authorities and also the right of the Ministry of Health to subject individuals to necessary procedures to combat communicable diseases such as quarantining the individual and his or her luggage.

Oman signed the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which states all peoples to certain rights.

Oman and Slovakia signed an agreement that will allow residents of either or both countries to not pay double tax with regards to income by allowing deductions from one’s payable tax. The agreement further defines specificities of eligible persons and relevant taxation under this agreement, additionally mentioning that stateless persons who are residents of either Oman or Slovakia will not be held to more taxes than a national of either country.

The percentage of the national workforce in the private sector establishments working in the electricity and water sectors is determined by the ministerial decision according to a schedule that progresses yearly.

Ministerial Decision 92/2019 Implements the Omani Citizenship Law.

Oman repealed their previous Foreign Capital Investment Law promulgated by Royal Decree 102/94 and replaced it in 2019 with Royal Decree 50/2019. The new Foreign Capital Investment Law outlines the requirements for foreigners to do business in the country such as conditions, procedures, timelines, approvals needed, etc. Additionally, the law includes several provisions for the protection of rights of the foreign investor such as requiring a notification by the ministry in the case of a violation and allowing a period of 30 days to rectify the offence, guaranteeing protection from arbitrary or illegal seizure of assets, and establishing a council for grievances of foreign investors.

Decision No. 270 is regarding procedures, requirements and consequences of foreign workers leaving work.

Decision No. 103 outlines conditions under which small companies can be exempt from nationalisation schemes for two years while also listing the level of nationalisation that companies must reach over the next four years.

The Nationality Act introduces several openings for acquiring nationality such as allowing non-Omani women widowed or divorced from Omani men, and minors born to an Omani mother and non-Omani father to apply for nationality, but it also tighten the overall rules with stricter requirements for applicants. Also, Article 5 states an Omani national must obtain permission by royal decree to hold another nationality.

Royal Decree No. 16/95 issuing the Foreigners Residence Law includes the conditions for entry into and exit from the Sultanate, regulations related to the registration of foreigners, residence permits, exemptions, and related penalties.