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The Al Wusta Governorate Police Command arrested five individuals of African nationality who had entered the country illegally, according to an Oman Observer article published on October 13, 2026. Authorities also detained one person for transporting the group in his private vehicle and facilitating their infiltration. In a related maritime incident, the South Al Batinah Governorate Police Command apprehended 16 Asian nationals in the wilayat of Barka as they attempted to enter Oman by sea.
Muscat Governorate Police arrested an Arab national for breaking into a residence in Bausher and stealing two safes filled with gold jewelry and other valuables worth around RO70,000, the report stated. The same command detained a group of Asian and African women for engaging in activities contrary to public morals and decency while also violating the Labour Law and the Foreigners’ Residence Law. Legal proceedings against all those arrested are underway in accordance with Omani regulations.
In Musandam Governorate, police took 15 Asian nationals into custody in the wilayat of Daba for attempting illegal entry into the country, the Oman Observer said. Separately, the Al Buraimi Governorate Police Command, working with the Special Police Tasks Unit, arrested 12 individuals of Asian and African nationalities for breaches of the Labour Law and the Expatriate Residency Law. These incidents form part of a broader campaign by the Royal Oman Police to curb infiltration that authorities say threatens national security.
The Royal Oman Police has described infiltration as a serious risk to the safety of citizens and residents due to the potential for associated illegal activities, according to repeated statements in local media. Similar operations have been documented throughout 2026, including arrests of individuals attempting to smuggle alcoholic beverages and drugs alongside illegal crossings, previous reports from the Oman Observer indicated. The persistence of such cases highlights the ongoing nature of the challenge for Omani security forces.
Under the provisions of the Foreigners Residency Law, individuals who enter the country illegally face a prison term of not less than one month and not more than three years along with a fine ranging from RO100 to RO500, ROP briefings have noted. Those found hiring or providing accommodation to infiltrators are liable to fines between RO1,000 and RO2,000 and imprisonment for 10 to 30 days. The law forms a key part of Oman’s framework for managing residency and labour compliance among the expatriate population.
The primary motivation for many attempting infiltration is the search for employment amid limited opportunities in their countries of origin, a Royal Oman Police assessment found. Authorities have warned that some residents hire infiltrators believing it lowers costs, but this practice can undermine legal labour structures and introduce security vulnerabilities. The ROP has urged the public to avoid engaging with undocumented individuals and to report suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.
