Key Takeaways

  • Foreign nationals require an Employment Visa sponsored by a registered Omani employer before entering Oman for work; the visa is tied to the employer and role under Oman’s kafala-derived sponsorship system.
  • Oman enforces an Omanisation policy (Tanmia) requiring private sector employers to maintain minimum quotas of Omani nationals by sector; non-compliance can affect an employer’s ability to sponsor additional foreign workers.
  • Oman has launched significant labour reforms in recent years, including the introduction of worker mobility rights allowing expatriates to change employer without sponsor consent after one year of service.

Oman is an Arab country on the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Yemen, with coastlines on the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Arabian Gulf. Muscat is the capital and main commercial centre. Oman’s economy is driven by oil and gas revenues, with Vision 2040 targeting diversification into tourism, logistics, manufacturing, and financial services. The country is known for its political stability, natural landscapes, and progressive social reforms relative to the wider Gulf region. The Ministry of Labour administers employment regulations; the Royal Oman Police (ROP) e-portal manages visa and residency applications.

When Is a Work Visa Needed in Oman?

Any foreign national intending to work in Oman must have an Employment Visa sponsored by a registered Omani employer. The visa is required for:

  • Employees recruited by Omani-registered companies in any sector
  • Intra-company transferees to Omani subsidiaries or branches
  • Technical specialists and project workers on assignments exceeding 30 days
  • Foreign directors and key executives of Omani-registered entities
  • Tourism, hospitality, logistics, and construction sector workers

Types of Oman Work Visas and Permits

Employment Visa

The Employment Visa is the primary work authorisation for foreign nationals in Oman. It is sponsored by a registered Omani employer through the ROP e-portal. The visa is valid for two years and is renewable. Under Oman’s reformed labour law (Royal Decree 53/2023), workers may change employer after one year of employment without requiring the original employer’s consent, subject to Ministry of Labour notification.

Professional Visa

The Professional Visa is issued for foreign professionals with recognised qualifications in regulated fields (medicine, engineering, law, accounting). It requires pre-approval from the relevant Omani professional body in addition to standard employment visa documentation.

Visit Visa (Business)

Foreign nationals attending business meetings, conferences, or conducting due diligence for up to 30 days (extendable to 90 days) may enter on a Visit Visa. Nationals of many countries can obtain a Visit Visa on arrival or via the e-Visa portal. This does not authorise paid employment.

Accompanied Family Visa

Expatriate workers earning at least OMR 300/month may sponsor accompanying family members (spouse and children under 18) on a Family Residence Visa. Dependants on a Family Residence Visa do not have automatic work rights; a separate Employment Visa is required if a dependant wishes to take up employment.

How to Apply for a Work Visa in Oman

1

Employer Registers on the ROP e-Portal

The Omani employer must be registered on the Royal Oman Police e-portal (www.rop.gov.om) and have a valid commercial registration and labour clearance from the Ministry of Labour. The employer must also be within the Omanisation quota for the relevant sector before sponsoring additional foreign workers.

2

Apply for the Employment Visa via ROP e-Portal

The employer initiates the Employment Visa application online through the ROP portal, entering the foreign national’s personal details, passport information, role, and proposed salary. Supporting documents are uploaded digitally. The Ministry of Labour reviews the application and the ROP issues the visa approval.

3

Foreign National Obtains the Visa and Travels to Oman

Once the Employment Visa is approved, the foreign national receives a visa reference number. Nationals of most countries may then enter Oman at a port of entry on this reference. Some nationalities must collect a visa sticker from an Omani embassy before travelling.

4

Conduct the Medical Examination in Oman

Within 30 days of arrival, the foreign national must undergo a mandatory medical examination at an approved health centre in Oman. The examination includes tests for communicable diseases. A clean medical clearance is required before the Resident Card (residency) can be issued.

5

Obtain the Resident Card (Iqama)

Following medical clearance, the employer applies for the Resident Card (Iqama) through the ROP e-portal. The Iqama is the official biometric residency card that confirms the holder’s right to reside and work in Oman. It must be renewed before expiry, which aligns with the Employment Visa renewal.

6

Register with PASI (Pension Authority)

Omani law requires employers to enrol Omani national employees with the Public Authority for Social Insurance (PASI). Expatriate workers are not enrolled in PASI but are subject to end-of-service gratuity obligations under Omani labour law (one month’s salary per year of service for continuous employment of one year or more).

Oman Work Permit Costs and Fees

Employment visa and residency fees in Oman are denominated in Omani Rial (OMR):

Visa Type
Amount (OMR)
Employment Visa
OMR 201 (approximately USD 522)
Resident Card (Iqama) Renewal (2 years)
OMR 201
Accompanied Family Visa (per dependant)
OMR 51–101
Medical Examination Fee
OMR 20–40

Professional service fees add USD 500–1,500. Total first-year employer costs typically range from USD 1,000 to USD 2,500 per worker.

Oman Work Visa Sponsorship

Oman’s Employment Visa is issued under a sponsorship framework. Following the 2021 and 2023 labour reforms, expatriate workers may change employer after one year of service without requiring the original employer’s consent, by notifying the Ministry of Labour. Before one year, employer consent or Ministry of Labour arbitration is required.

Employers must comply with the Omani Labour Law (Royal Decree 35/2003 as amended), including end-of-service gratuity obligations, annual leave entitlements, and Omanisation quotas. The 2023 Labour Law amendments strengthened worker protections significantly.

For international companies without an Omani entity, an EOR registered in Oman can act as the sponsoring employer, manage the ROP visa process, payroll in OMR, end-of-service gratuity provisioning, and full Labour Law compliance.

Work in Oman with Confidence

Oman’s reformed labour framework — particularly the worker mobility provisions introduced in 2021 and 2023 — make it one of the most progressive Gulf labour markets. The fully digitalised ROP e-portal and relatively fast processing times make Oman one of the more straightforward Gulf states for work visa management.

Remote People’s GCC specialists provide end-to-end Employment Visa management in Oman, from ROP portal registration through to Iqama renewal and end-of-service gratuity compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Omanisation (also called Tanmia) is a government policy requiring private sector employers to maintain minimum quotas of Omani national employees, expressed as a percentage of total headcount by sector. If an employer's Omanisation ratio falls below the required threshold, the Ministry of Labour may restrict the employer's ability to sponsor additional foreign workers until the ratio is restored.

Following landmark reforms introduced in 2021 and strengthened in 2023, expatriate workers in Oman may change employer without requiring the original sponsor's consent after completing one year of employment. The worker notifies the Ministry of Labour and transfers the visa sponsorship to the new employer. Before one year, the original employer's consent or Ministry of Labour arbitration is required.

Omani labour law requires employers to pay an end-of-service gratuity to expatriate workers at the end of their employment. The gratuity is calculated at 15 days' basic salary per year for the first three years of continuous service, and one month's basic salary per year thereafter. It is payable regardless of the reason for termination.

Yes, provided the sponsoring employee earns at least OMR 300/month. Spouses and children under 18 may be sponsored on an Accompanied Family Visa. Family members do not have automatic work rights; a separate Employment Visa is required for any dependant who wishes to work in Oman.

Yes. An EOR registered in Oman with active commercial registration and Ministry of Labour clearance can sponsor Employment Visas through the ROP e-portal, manage the Iqama process, payroll in OMR, end-of-service gratuity provisioning, and full Omani Labour Law compliance on behalf of an international company without a local entity.

Relocate to Oman

Remote People provides EOR services in Oman and across the GCC. We manage Employment Visa applications via the ROP e-portal, medical examination coordination, Iqama processing, payroll in OMR, end-of-service gratuity provisioning, and full Omani Labour Law compliance.

Contact Remote People to start hiring in Oman today.

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