Oman likely to resume visa issuance for Pakistanis after Eid

The Pakistani Embassy in Oman held an online public forum, where Ambassador Syed Naveed Safdar addressed concerns about visa issuance, reported 24NewsHD TV Channel.

During the session, participants raised various issues, and the ambassador issued directives for their resolution.

He dismissed rumours of a complete visa ban on Pakistanis, clarifying that Oman has not fully stopped issuing visas for Pakistanis, but most categories are currently on hold.

He assured that visa issuance will gradually resume after Eid, urging applicants to verify visa availability before making payments or undergoing medical tests.

Ambassador Safdar warned against dealing with agents for visas and emphasised that visa decisions rest solely with the Omani government, not Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or its embassy.

The ambassador also highlighted problems faced by Pakistani prisoners in Oman, particularly regarding passport renewals due to fingerprint and biometric verification issues.

He assured that efforts are underway to obtain portable biometric machines to resolve these difficulties.

Additionally, he urged Pakistanis in Oman to stay updated on their passport and visa expiration dates and apply for renewals as soon as the final year begins.

Addressing concerns over parking issues at the embassy, he explained that the embassy operates in a rented building, leading to space constraints.

He also urged Pakistanis to report any instances of corruption at the embassy for immediate action.

The ambassador concluded by warning against misleading social media reports regarding visa bans and assured that the embassy posts updates as soon as new passport batches arrive from Pakistan.

Reporter: Anwar Abbas