Filipino travellers visiting Oman under the country’s 14-day visa-free entry programme will no longer be required to present a negative HIV medical certificate, following a policy change announced by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The DFA confirmed that the requirement has been removed for all Filipino nationals entering Oman under the visa-free travel scheme and welcomed the move as a reflection of the strong diplomatic ties between the two countries.
“The DFA expresses its appreciation to the Omani government in light of this positive development, which is a testament to the excellent relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Sultanate of Oman,” the department said in a statement.
The decision comes more than two months after the Philippine government formally requested Oman to reconsider the HIV certificate requirement.
In April, the DFA said it had made “strong representations” to Omani authorities, urging them to abolish the policy after it raised concerns among travellers and migrant communities.
At the time, Omani officials clarified that the requirement applied only to tourists entering the country under the 14-day visa-free entry programme and did not affect holders of work visas.
The Omani Embassy also reassured overseas Filipino workers that employment visa holders were exempt from the requirement, adding that the policy was under serious review by the Omani government.
The Philippines and Oman have long enjoyed close diplomatic and labour relations, with thousands of Filipinos employed across various industries in the Gulf nation. Both countries continue to cooperate on labour protection, consular services, and travel facilitation, strengthening support for Filipino nationals living and working in Oman.
Earlier, Japan introduced major changes to its popular Business Manager Visa programme, increasing the minimum investment requirement sixfold to a dramatic 96% decline in visa applications.
The Business Manager Visa has long been regarded as one of the easiest pathways for foreign entrepreneurs seeking residency in Japan. Previously, applicants could qualify by investing ¥5 million (approximately $33,000) to establish a business in the country, attracting a large number of applications, particularly from Chinese investors.
However, under new regulations that took effect in October 2025, the Japanese government has raised the minimum investment threshold to ¥30 million (around $200,000).
In addition to the higher investment requirement, applicants must now meet several stricter conditions. These include employing at least one full-time Japanese citizen, possessing a minimum of three years of management experience or a relevant master’s degree, demonstrating JLPT N2-level Japanese language proficiency, submitting a verified business plan, and maintaining a registered business office in Japan.
Following the implementation of the new rules, the number of monthly Business Manager Visa applications has fallen sharply from an average of 1,700 to just around 70, representing a 96% decrease.
