The Nepali Embassy in Oman has urged Nepali nationals not to travel to the country on visit visas in search of employment.

The appeal comes as the number of individuals stranded after arriving on visit visas to look for work continues to increase.

“It is extremely difficult to facilitate rescues when individuals arrive on visit visas and remain illegally after overstaying,” said a notice issued by the embassy on Wednesday. “We request that no one travels here on a visit visa for employment purposes.”

Oman has enforced a regulation since October 31, 2023, barring the conversion of tourist or visit visas into work permits after arrival. Despite this, traffickers continue to use Oman as a transit point to smuggle domestic workers.