Sultanate Accelerates Renewable Energy Target to 30%
Oman is fast-tracking massive solar and wind projects in Dhofar to meet a 30% renewable energy capacity goal by 2030. The push is part of a strategy to reduce carbon…
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Regulated Freelance Visa Proposal Gains Momentum
Government officials have confirmed plans to introduce a regulated freelance visa to tackle illegal residency permits. The first phase will target basic professions, with annual fees expected between 750 and…
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Job Mobility Maintained Under No-NOC Policy
Authorities reminded expatriates today that they can change jobs without a No Objection Certificate (NOC) provided notice periods are met. The reform continues to drive labor market flexibility, allowing workers…
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Strict Enforcement of Hajj Permit Rules for 2026
The Ministry of Interior has reiterated that visit visa holders are strictly barred from performing Hajj. Violators face fines of up to SAR 20,000, potential deportation, and a 10-year re-entry…
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GCC ‘Grand Tours’ Visa Pilot Confirmed for Q4
A status update on the unified “GCC Grand Tours Visa” confirms a live pilot phase will begin in Q4 2026 between Dubai and Bahrain. The system will use QR-code validation…
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Work Permit Fee Reforms Take Effect for Foreign Labor
Bahrain has begun implementing a gradual increase in work permit fees for expatriates to prioritize national employment. Issuance fees have risen to BHD 125, with monthly fees for foreign workers…
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Sohar International Launches ‘Ta’awn’ Program for SMEs
Sohar International has signed a strategic deal with the SME Development Authority (Riyada) to provide Shari’a-compliant funding for local entrepreneurs. The program aims to accelerate the growth of Omani startups…
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Residency Rules Overhauled with Standardized Fee Structure
Kuwait has standardized its expatriate residency fees and reclassified family dependents under Article 22. The new system requires a minimum monthly salary of KD 800 for sponsoring spouses and children,…
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Qatar Targets 20% Workforce Nationalization in Private Sector
New policy guidelines have set a target to increase Qatari participation in the private sector from 17% to 20%. To support this, the 2026 Nationalization Award has been launched to…
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Vision 2030 Enters Final ‘Peak Delivery’ Phase
The Kingdom has officially transitioned into the third phase of Vision 2030, shifting focus from policy reforms to large-scale project execution. Authorities are prioritizing a 65% private sector GDP contribution…
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NCM Issues Weather Alert for High Heat and Dust
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has issued a warning for Thursday as temperatures are expected to climb to 43°C in internal regions. Motorists are advised to be cautious of…
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Parliament Approves Urgent Wage Support for April
The Bahraini Parliament has cleared an urgent proposal to provide wage support for private sector workers affected by recent income disruptions. The financial relief, sourced from the unemployment fund, targets…
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New Minimum Annual Salary Increment Rules for Private Sector
Oman’s Ministry of Labour has reminded private sector employers of the mandatory performance-based salary increment for Omani nationals. Eligible employees are entitled to an annual raise of 2% to 5%…
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Two-Month Job Transfer Window for Expats Opens May 1
A temporary window for expatriates in the industrial, agricultural, and SME sectors to transfer residency begins tomorrow, May 1. The initiative allows for greater labor flexibility and addresses workforce imbalances…
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Ministry of Labour Enforces Mandatory Digital E-Contracts
The Ministry of Labour (MoL) confirmed that as of late April 2026, all employment contracts must be registered through the digital E-Contract system to be legally valid. The move is…
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Mobile Passport Counters Launched for Hajj Pilgrims
The General Directorate of Passports has begun deploying mobile biometric counters at airports and land crossings to expedite entry for Hajj pilgrims. The portable devices capture facial images and passport…
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Dubai Scraps Dh750k Minimum for 2-Year Investor Visa
Dubai has officially removed the Dh750,000 minimum property value threshold for sole owners seeking a two-year residency visa. Under the new rules, joint owners now require a minimum share value…
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Bahrain: Five Sentenced to Life for Iran-Linked Hostile Plots
Bahrain’s High Criminal Court has sentenced five individuals—three Bahrainis and two Afghans—to life imprisonment for plotting terrorist acts in coordination with Iran. The prosecution stated the group was involved in…
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Oman: Sohar International Partners with Riyada to Empower SMEs
Sohar International has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with ‘Riyada’, the SME Development Authority, under the “Ta’awn” program. The partnership, signed under the patronage of the Governor of the Central…
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Kuwait: Public Sector and Healthcare to Resume Full Capacity May 3
The Kuwaiti Cabinet has directed all government entities to return to 100% staffing levels and regular working hours starting Sunday, May 3, 2026. This move ends the reduced schedules implemented…
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Qatar: Doha Warns Against Using Strait of Hormuz as a ‘Bargaining Chip’
Qatar has issued a firm call for maritime stability, asserting that the Strait of Hormuz must not be used as leverage in stalled diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran. Foreign…
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Saudi Arabia: Rail ‘Landbridge’ Fast-Tracked to Bypass Strait of Hormuz
Saudi Arabia is accelerating the development of the Saudi Landbridge and Northern Corridor, a 1,700 km rail link designed to transport cargo from Eastern Province ports to the Jordanian border.…
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UAE: UAE Announces Strategic Exit from OPEC and OPEC+
The United Arab Emirates has announced its official withdrawal from OPEC and OPEC+, effective May 1, 2026. The decision marks a significant shift in national energy policy, as the country…
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GCC Summit: Leaders condemn regional attacks and push for military integration
JEDDAH – Following the 19th Consultative Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Jeddah, Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi issued a statement detailing the bloc’s response to recent regional…
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GCC summit: Gulf leaders meet in Jeddah amid fragile truce
JEDDAH – Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council have convened for their first in-person summit since the region became a target in the war on Iran.All six member states suffered…
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