Oman New Expat Recruitment Rules

The recruitment of expats in Oman is regulated by Oman Sultani Decree No. 35/2003 (the "Labour Law"). The provisions of the Labour Law governing the recruitment of expatriates are summarised below.

Article 18 of the Labour Law stipulates that an employer is prohibited from hiring non-Omani workers unless the employee has obtained a permit from the Ministry of Manpower. The grant of such permit is subject to the following conditions:

There is an insufficient number of Omanis available for the position or occupation; The employer has complied with the prescribed percentages of Omanisation set by the Ministry of Manpower; and The prescribed fees have been paid. A non-Omani is prohibited from joining any work in the Sultanate before obtaining a labour card, which is the Civil Status ID Card. The grant of this card is upon the employer's request, and is subject to the following conditions:

The expat has professional competence or a technical skill or a qualification that is needed by the Sultanate; The employer has a permit to hire the expat; The expat has entered the country in a lawful manner and satisfies the conditions set out in the Foreign Residence Law (valid passport, valid visa, sponsorship); The expat is medically fi t and free of all contagious or chronic diseases specified by the Ministry of Health; The expat has entered into a contract with an Omani or non-Omani employer. Oman has extended an expat visa ban for certain professions. Pursuant to Article 1 of Ministerial Decision No. 208/2018 of the Ministry of Manpower: "The temporary non-authorisation to recruit non-Omani manpower in private sector enterprises for activities referred to in the...