Oman Legal Visa of Employment
Do you happen to be a foreign expert who is interested in opening up the vibrant employment potential in the Sultanate of Oman? The most important step is to negotiate your way in the legal environment to obtain your Oman Employment Visa (Resident Work Visa).
Oman Resident Work Visa Your Career Gateway
The stable and safe environment in Oman boasts of a diversified economy that is expanding. It is required that all foreign employees above the age of 21 are issued with a Resident Work Visa, which is also quite beneficial:
- Legal Residency: The visa is normally validated to 2 years and renewable which accords you the legal residency.
- Access to Services: It will allow you to apply to the compulsory Resident ID Card that is needed to open bank accounts, sign contracts with rental agencies and receive healthcare.
- Positive Labour Law: The new Royal Decree 53/2023 has brought on better labour protection of workers such as better definition of termination, leave, and type of contract.
The Employer obtains the Labour Permit (The Clearance)
This process should be initiated with your Omani employer (your Sponsor) making an application to the Ministry of Labour (MoL) to grant a Labour Clearance (or Labour Permit).
- Omanisation Quotas: The MoL is very strict in the application so that the company complies with the mandatory Omanisation Quotas (the percentage of Omani nationals that should work by the company). The position should not be among the jobs that have been set aside to the Omanis.
- Important Requirements: The permit will require your Occupation Match (job title) and gender, which must be the same as what will be reflected in your subsequent visa application.
- Fees: The Fees on Labour Permit depend on the professional category and salary and vary up to OMR 2,000 in the most professional jobs or high salaries (OMR 4,000+). The achievement of Omanisation targets can also provide a 30 per cent reduction in the fee.
ROP Issues the Employment Visa
When the Labour Permit has been obtained, the employer presents the Employment Visa Application Form to the Royal Oman Police (ROP), namely, to the Directorate General of Passports and Residence.
As a part of pre-entry documents, the following core documents will be required to issue a visa:
- Valid Passport: Replica of the expatriate passport (one that is true to not less than 6 months).
- Photographs: Two new passport-size photographs.
Original copy of the MoL Labour Permit
- Attested Educational Certificates: They are required in specialized positions (e.g. engineering, medical), which have to be attested at the Omani embassy and the Foreign Affairs Ministry in the home country.
- Age: The candidate should be aged between 21 and 60 years.
- Visa Fee: Visa fee is usually OMR 20 which is the ROP visa fee.
- Admission Processes: Health Examination and ID card.
- The legal procedure carries on as soon as you arrive in Oman with your new Employment Visa.
l The Compulsory Medical Examination
On your arrival, you have to be subjected to a compulsory Medical Examination within the first few days. This is a very important step towards acquiring your residency.
- Purpose: To screen contagious illnesses including HIV, Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis.
- Attestation: The Ministry of Health (MoH) has to certify the results, and the fitness certificate is electronically transmitted to ROP.
Obtaining the Resident ID Card
The last procedure in the legal residency is to submit an application to the Civil Status Department of the ROP in order to acquire the Resident ID Card (Civil Status ID Card). This should be done by the end of 30 days of entry.
- Requirement: The expatriates should present themselves physically to take part in the process of biometric data (fingerprinting and facial recognition).
- Documents: Original Passport including the stamped visa, the Medical Fitness Certificate and the duly filled application form.
- Validity: The card is generally granted to the duration of 2 years relative to the visa duration.
FAQs
What is the duration of the visa procedure?
The Processing Time: This may take up to 1-4 months to complete and this highly depends on the time taken by MoL to clearance labour.
How long is the visa validity?
The Employment Visa (Resident Work Visa) is a renewable 2 year standard visas.
Am I required to have a medical examination prior to travelling?
In some countries the pre-travel medical certificate is usually mandatory and should be certified by the Ministry of Health (e.g., India, Pakistan, Philippines, Bangladesh).
Who will bear the charges?
The Labour Permit and Visa Issuance Fees are normally paid by the employers. The employees can reimburse personal expenses such as local medical check-ups.
Final Thoughts
Sultanate of Oman provides a high standard of living and actual career development. Having known the necessary series of actions, starting with your employer receiving the Labour Clearance at the Ministry of Labour, and concluding with your steps of the Medical Examination and the acquisition of the Resident ID Card at the Royal Oman Police, you are in a great position to make the transition successful.
Disclaimer
This paper is a form of information and education. Oman legal employment visa procedure and conditions are subject to change according to official Ministerial Decisions of the Ministry of labour and Royal Oman police. It is strongly recommended that the readers check all the information, charges and documents with the official portals of the Omani government or a licensed legal/HR consultant prior to taking any decision related to travelling or contracting.