MUSCAT : Embassies and social workers have urged expatriates without valid documents to make use of the scheme introduced by the government to exit the country without paying fees and fines before December 31.

On Sunday, the Ministry of Labour started the online registration for those expats who wish to leave the country permanently.

“This is a golden opportunity for those who do not have valid documents to leave the country for good without the need of paying any fines. They must make use of it,” said Mohammed Irshad, a Bangladesh social worker based in Muscat.

According to Irshad, there are hundreds of Bangladeshis who are overstaying in the country without valid documents. “For them this is a huge relief,” he said.

Registration can be done at the embassies, the ministry’s website and Sanad centres. “Seven days after registration, the expatriate worker can visit the Ministry of Labour office at Muscat International Airport or seven hours before the flight departure. They should carry a valid ticket, travel documents, and the PCR test valid for 72 hours,” Ministry of Labour said in a statement.

However, those with expired passports can consult their respective embassies to prepare the documents. “Those who want to go to the country with an outpass from Oman should fill out a form posted on the Facebook page of Bangladesh embassy. They should also submit two passport size photos to the embassy. Then they will be given time to come and collect the outpass, ” the Bangladesh Embassy said on Sunday.

“Those who don’t have a passport can also go to the country with the outpass issued by the embassy. The Bangladesh expatriates are required to furnish a birth registration card, passport photocopy, or national ID card,” the embassy said.

Applicants can register through the Ministry’s website http://www.mol.gov.om/

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