Oman’s Manpower Ministry has extended the professional visa ban for expatriates in various sectors for an additional six months. The relevant Decisions were issued on 21 November and apply to construction workers, cleaners, sales and marketing professionals. However the ban does not apply to visa renewals for these workers, companies registered excellent or of international grade, consultancies or those implementing Government projects. Companies managed full-time by their owners, registered with Riyada and insured with the Public Authority for Social Insurance will also not be affected. The ban first came into force in November 2013. The ban on sales and marketing professionals comes into force on 30 November whilst the ban for cleaning and construction workers comes into force on 1 December. The ban on carpenters, metallurgists, blacksmiths and brick kiln workers comes into force on 1 January 2018