Foreigners who want to live and work in Oman must obtain a work visa.

However, first of all, you need to find an employer (sponsor) who is willing to hire you and start the necessary procedure to obtain an employment permit.

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The first step is for the employer to obtain a work license (employment permit) from the Omani Ministry of Labor to be able to hire a foreign worker. The employer submits a purchase application form to a specialized department in the Ministry of Labor.

A successful application must meet several requirements:

• The company adheres to Omanization rules*, according to which the maximum quota for foreign workers in this sector is not reached.

*Omanization – essentially an expansion of the local workforce – means strict quotas for emigrants in various sectors of the economy, and the authorities must be convinced that certain positions cannot be adequately filled by an Omani national.

• The total number of invited foreign citizens corresponds to the company's activities.
• The requested foreign personnel have relevant certificates.
• The Ministry of Labor will require documentation for the permit. After obtaining the Labor Clearance status, the employer has the legal right to hire the specified foreign workers.

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Necessary documentation that the employer submits to the Ministry of Labor:

1. An Omanization Plan outlining all positions to be applied for by Omani nationals at a given time;
2. List of desired foreigners with designation of positions and gender;
3. Copies of all passports of foreign workers;
4. Certified copies of relevant qualification certificates of employees;
5. Certified transcripts from educational institutions;
6. Attestation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the employee's home country;
7. Attestation of the Embassy of Oman in the country of residence of the employee.

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Receiving a job offer for an employee

After receiving the permission to hire foreign workers, the employer in Oman sends an invitation letter to the worker who meets the conditions and quotas for labor registration.

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Issuance of a work visa

The employer must obtain an individual work visa for each expatriate to be sponsored. A work visa is valid for two years from the date of entry. The employer must apply for a visa to the Immigration Department of the Royal Oman Police.

To obtain a work visa, an employee must meet certain requirements, including:

• The age of the employee must be from 21 to 60 years;
• The profession and position must be identical to those specified in the employment permit;
• Citizens of some nationalities require special permits;
• Foreign citizens of some countries require a medical certificate;

A medical certificate may be required for foreigners who must attend an approved medical clinic to confirm they are fit to work in Oman. The certificate must be certified by the Omani Ministry of Health, and provided to the employer before submitting the visa application.

What are the necessary documents submitted by an employer to obtain a work visa for an employee?

• A copy of the employee's passport with a validity period of at least six months;
• A copy of the labor license issued by the Ministry of Labor;
• Letter of invitation or job offer from a registered company in the Sultanate of Oman;
• A certified medical certificate issued by an approved clinic for workers in certain countries (citizens of India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Syria and Nepal);
• Two passport photos;
• Any relevant evidence of qualifications or education;

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Issuance of a residence permit

After obtaining a work visa for an employee, the expatriate must obtain a residence permit to legally reside in Oman for the duration of the work.

Upon arrival, the worker must go to the Civil Status Department of the Royal Oman Police to obtain a residence permit within 30 days of entry. At the medical center, the employee takes a blood test and will be sent for fingerprinting. After collecting the data, the General Directorate of Civil Status will issue a resident card to the employee, which is valid for two years.

Documents required to obtain a residence permit:

• Two passport photos;
• Original and copy of passport;

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Obtaining a No Objection Certificate

In any circumstances that require the employee to change jobs, terminate the employment contract early, they will be required to leave the country for at least two years unless they obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC), which is a document that states that neither the sponsoring employer, nor the Omani government have any problem with the foreigner working in the country.

The authorization process is long and NOC is issued not often. If the certificate is allowed, it can be obtained at the point of entry along with the visa.

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The employee can start work

After receiving the work visa and residence permit, the employee can start working in Oman.