Oman’s Manpower Ministry has extended its Decisions not to issue new visas for workers in several private sector professions for another six months. Three new Decisions were issued on 13 November 2018. The first profession-by-profession bans came in to force in late 2013. Under the new Decisions, visas for construction workers, cleaners, sales and marketing professionals are affected. The Decision restricting new visas for sales and marketing professionals will come into effect on 30 November, for cleaning and construction workers from 2 December 2018 and for carpenters, metallurgists, blacksmiths and brick kiln workers on 2 January 2019. Firms who are registered as excellent or international grade, consultancies and those implementing Government projects will not be affected.