Latest news with #ForeignersResidencyLaw
Observer
2 days ago
- Observer
Strict vigil as infiltration remains a major challenge in the country
Muscat: The Royal Oman Police (ROP) and the security apparatus continue to face challenges of infiltration in the country. In the past week, the Al Wusta Police Command, in cooperation with the Haima Special Tasks Police Unit, arrested 27 infiltrators of African nationalities for entering the country illegally, and detained a citizen for transporting them by land and facilitating their entry. The Coast Guard Police in the Musandam Governorate arrested three individuals of various Asian nationalities on a boat in Oman's territorial waters, in possession of large quantities of alcoholic beverages intended for trafficking. Infiltration is one of the crimes condemned by the laws and regulations as it threatens any country's stability, according to the Royal Oman Police (ROP). Infiltration is the illegal entry of individuals without any legal documentation, according to the Royal Oman Police (ROP), The danger here is that some people would hire them because they think their price is cheap, and they want to reduce the cost. The reason why they like to trespass is perhaps to find a job. As per the Foreigners Residency Law, the illegal entrant can get a sentence of not less than a month and not more than three years and a fine between RO100 and RO500. Those responsible for hiring and accommodating infiltrators will be subject to a fine between RO1,000 and RO2,000 and imprisonment for about 10 to 30 days." According to ROP, it is difficult to conduct an investigation when an infiltrator commits a crime due to the absence of a database. They impose an extra burden on healthcare due to the spread of diseases, especially if employed in the fisheries and agriculture sectors. They can spread bad behaviors, including the use of drugs in society. For example, the Directorate of Combating Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, under the leadership of the South Batinah Governorate Police, recently arrested four individuals of Asian nationality for possessing quantities of marijuana, hashish, and psychotropic substances. RemoveApply
Times of Oman
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Grounds for deportation: Understanding Oman's foreigners residency law
The deportation of foreigners from Oman is a formal administrative or judicial process governed by The Foreigners Residency Law. Legally distinct from expulsion which applies to illegal entrants. Deportation involves the forced removal of a foreigner residing legally in Oman when specific, serious grounds outlined in the law are met. Grounds for deportation are extensive and primarily concern threats to the state or public order. Speaking exclusively to the Times of Oman, a representative of Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm, a leading law office in Oman, explained that under Article 31 of Royal Decree 60/2021, the Inspector General of Police and Customs holds the authority to revoke residency and order deportation for reasons including activities harming national security, safety, political/economic/financial integrity, or public order/morals; actions damaging Oman's international interests; membership in undesirable parties; involvement in armed action against Omani forces; or lacking a clear, legitimate means of subsistence. Critically, Article 30 mandates deportation as a consequence of a final court judgment for a felony or for a misdemeanor if the judgment specifically orders deportation, implemented only after serving any prison sentence. The deportation process begins with formally notifying the foreigner, requiring them to leave the Sultanate voluntarily within a specified time frame at their own expense. Failure to comply within this period results in forced deportation. To facilitate this, authorities are permitted to detain the individual for up to two weeks if necessary. The repercussions of deportation are severe and long-lasting, said Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Zadjali, Founding Partner of Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm. He further added that a new entry visa may not be granted to a foreigner who has been deported, except after the lapse of two years from the date of deportation and only with special permission from the Inspector General of Police and Customs. Furthermore, the deportation decision carries significant familial consequences; It automatically extends to the foreigner's spouse and any dependent children under their maintenance responsibility, leading to the termination of their residency rights as well. This comprehensive legal framework underscores Oman's stringent approach to maintaining sovereignty and public order, granting broad discretionary powers to the Inspector General while imposing significant restrictions and consequences, including family separation and long-term entry bans, on those subject to deportation orders, the expert said. (Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm ([email protected]), (+968 244 87 600) was established 18 years ago and is serving clients through its offices in Muscat and Sohar, as well as operating on a request basis in other areas. It offers legal representation across a wide range of practice areas that include Labour Law, Corporate, Commercial, Contracts, Banking and Finance, International Trade, Foreign Investment, Insurance, Maritime Law, Construction and Engineering Contracts, International Arbitration, Intellectual Property and more).
Arab Times
12-05-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Dear government, trust in Allah and tether the camel … Kuwait is still blocked
'LAISSEZ-FAIRE et laissez-passer' (Let do and let pass) is a principle that France adopted in the second half of the 18th century. At the time, France was experiencing a major economic crisis, so the then Minister of Finance agreed with merchants not to interfere with the activities, properties or goods of the people. In less than three years, France became a major economic power in Europe. This introduction is necessary to shed light on the decisions made in Kuwait over the past 15 years, which led to economic contraction and a decline in the gross domestic product (GDP). Behind these decisions were officials who were either incompetent or sought to quickly enrich themselves, even at the expense of the greater national interest. Before this, Kuwait was closer to the principle of 'laissez-faire'; enjoying commercial, urban and social stability. With the rise of the visa and human trafficking frenzy, we began to notice the issuance of decisions and legislation that paralyzed economic activity, including the prosecution of workers known as 'freelancers'. Civilized countries, including some Gulf states, have taken steps to ensure that the government sponsors the workers. This opened doors to millions of workers from around the world and they allowed non-citizens to own properties. What was the result? For example, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the first to allow this, which boosted its GDP, reaching AED 1.322 trillion at the end of last year; while Kuwait recorded a GDP of KD9.73 billion in the same year -- a decline of 3.9 percent. Saudi Arabia, which opened up to the world in recent years, has allowed foreign investment and granted real estate ownership rights to non-Saudis, significantly boosting its GDP; while Kuwait is still struggling to overcome its economic downturn, lacking modern legislative tools. Nevertheless, I would like to thank Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah for the relentless efforts he exerted in this regard and for ratifying the new Foreigners Residency Law. Unfortunately, until today, no executive regulations have been issued for this law, meaning we remain in limbo while the old law is still in effect. When unfair decisions were made against Kuwaitis and expatriates, particularly regarding the deportation campaigns, the workers' wages rose from KD5 to KD20, and the wage of a professional worker increased up to KD50 or KD60. This increased the cost of construction and all services; hence, the citizens and government were the worst hit by such decisions. Today, whoever wishes to visit Kuwait is still required to hold a university degree, book a flight ticket through a domestic airline, and ensure their stay does not exceed one month. Let us assume the visitor came to Kuwait in search of an investment opportunity or at the request of a company to benefit from his expertise, despite his lack of a university degree, as we mentioned earlier. Does this justify denying him entry to Kuwait and causing the company to lose his expertise? In such a situation, we must not forget the crises that resulted from the decision not to renew the work permits of expatriate workers aged above 60 and the accompanying extensive deportation campaigns. One of the negative consequences of the decision was that 65,000 apartments became empty due to the departure of tens of thousands of expatriates who were welcomed by other Gulf countries that are now benefiting from them. It is unwise to interfere in the relationship between the employee and the company, and oblige the latter to require higher qualifications for positions. The employment relationship is confidential, established through the contract signed by the employee and the employer. The State has nothing to do with it, except in terms of protecting the workers' rights. Yes, the acting Prime Minister is trying to address this issue, but one hand cannot clap. Why are expatriates not allowed to own properties and bring their family and relatives to stay with them in Kuwait, as long as they have the financial capability to support them? Why does the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM) interfere in the relationship between the employee and the employer? If the goal is to promote economic activities and social stability, why don't we adopt the measures taken by other Gulf states -- Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE? What prevents Kuwait from restoring the leading position it once occupied? Gentlemen, through the adoption of the 'laissez-faire' principle then, Kuwait transformed into a vibrant business hub and it enjoyed stability. What prevents the return to that prosperous era, unless there are still visa and human traffickers who insist on putting a stick on the wheel of development?
