Oman Immigration & Work Permits
Entering a new market in the Middle East means that you’ll have to employ local and foreign employees. If you have chosen Oman as your host country, you need to learn about Oman immigration rules so you can obtain the required documentation for your employees.
In this article, you’re going to learn more about the immigration process in Oman and how you can sponsor your employees. In addition, you can gain more insight into how a service provider can help you obtain a work permit. Let’s observe:
- Oman Immigration & Work Permits
- What are the work permits in Oman?
- How can you obtain a work permit in Oman?
- What is the process to sponsor a worker in Oman?
- What are the types of visas in Oman?
- Which requirements do you need to obtain a work permit in Oman?
- What are the most common questions regarding the work permit in Oman?
- How can EOR Middle East assist you with immigration?
Oman Immigration & Work Permits
Oman is one of the top destinations for businesses that want to enter the Middle East. Since it’s a place that welcomes foreign investment, the authorities have established a set of rules to control the immigration.
Many professionals look for opportunities in Oman due to the several companies and a variety of industries that are established there. And if you’re an employer that is looking for the best talent for your business, you may employ these expatriates that want to work with you.
However, you should know that as an employer in Oman, you are responsible for sponsoring the foreign workers that you want to bring to work for you. It means that as a company, you should know how to get the work permits you need for your foreign professionals.
This is because you need to stay in compliance with the law. You must ensure your employees have every document they need to work legally in Oman.
Nevertheless, carrying the Oman immigration process can be challenging for foreign companies. This is mainly because they don’t have enough knowledge about local immigration rules. And in addition, a foreign company also needs to handle details related to the global expansion. So, these are too many administrative tasks that may overwhelm the HR department of your business.
In this case, it’s better to opt for a third party that can assist you. Here in EOR Middle East, you can find the best solution for your immigration needs.
Read More About : What is an Employer of Record?
What are the work permits in Oman?
One of the most important documents you need for your workforce in Oman is a work permit. The work permit in Oman immigration is a document that allows your employees to work for you legally in the country.
If you’re going to have a workforce in Oman, you need to have a valid work permit, employment visa, and residence card for each one of your employees. Otherwise, you may face non-compliance issues.
Keep in mind that Oman’s Authority is in charge of controlling immigration to the country. So, you must be in compliance with the law or you can face penalties or even worse repercussions for your business.
How can you obtain a work permit in Oman?
When a company plans to hire an employee, it needs to obtain a valid employment visa and work permit.
Many employees mistakenly believe that they can get their work permits by themselves. But, this is not the case.
According to Oman immigration rules, an employee can obtain a work permit as long as an employer sponsors him or her. So, a company in Oman becomes the legal sponsor for the employee and it needs to obtain the work permit and visas from the Ministry of Manpower.
Who can obtain a work permit in Oman?
The eligibility of work permits in Oman is the following:
- Being between 21 and 60 years old
- Receive a job offer from a company located in Oman
- Some nationalities require a medical certificate or special permits
As you can see, if you want to hire an expatriate, you must offer the employment contract first, then process the visa, and lastly obtain the work permit.
What is the process to sponsor a worker in Oman Immigration?
Sponsoring employees to obtain all the required documents from Oman immigration can be complex and challenging. Therefore, it’s important to learn more about the process. This way you can decide if you want to carry out the process with your internal resources or delegating it to a service provider like EOR Middle East.
Learn More about : What is a Professional Employer Organization (PEO)?
Obtain the Labor License
Once you have set up your business in Oman, the main step to start hiring employees is to apply for the Labor License. The Ministry of Manpower is in charge of issuing this crucial document for your business.
You should submit the procurement application to the Ministry of Manpower, and if you comply with the requirements, you can obtain your Labor License. With this document you get Labor Clearance to employ expatriates.
These are the following requirements to obtain the Labor License:
- Comply with the Omanization rules.
- The number of foreign employees you need is appropriate regarding the operations of your company
- The expatriate employees you request have valid and appropriate certifications
Provide the job offer
The Labor Clearance may last up to two years, however, you may request a green card which reduces the process to 6 months. But, this is only for medium and large-sized corporations.
Once you have received your labor clearance, you can send the job offer to your prospective employees.
Request employment visa
For each employee, you must obtain an individual employment visa. The Immigration Department of the Royal Oman Police is in charge of receiving the employment visa applications.
Keep in mind that the labor permit should specify the sex, occupation and position, and the person should comply with it. It means that there must be no errors in this document. The employer should submit all the required documents along with the application.
Residence card
After the employment visa has been issued, the final step is to receive the residence card. This allow the employee to reside legally in Oman. This process is done when the employee enters into the country in the Civil Status Department of the Royal Oman Police. It’s important to point out that the employee has 30 days from the date of entry to obtain this document.
Once the employee has the employment visa and residence card, he or she is ready to work.
Read More : Immigration Services in Oman
What are the types of visas in Oman?
It’s important to know which types of visas there are in Oman immigration. This way, you’ll be able to know more about the local rules and which one could be more suitable for your business.
Visit Visa in Oman
Most people know the Visit Visa since it’s the most standard one. With this document, the holder can enter into Oman and stay for one month in the country.
All foreign nationals should obtain an entry visa, but for those that are from the GCC don’t need to apply. A visit visa may be issued as a business, tourist or family visit visa. However, it’s important to note that with this type of visa, the holder can’t engage in working activities.
The visit visa has a validity of six months and those that receive a family visit visa can stay up for three months. An individual interested in obtaining this document can request it at all ports of entry in Oman, or in any commercial representation offices or diplomatic missions.
Employment Visa in Oman
The employment visa is the one that employers should request for their employees. Any employee that wants to enter into Oman, should have a valid employment visa since this is the standard document they need.
The Directorate General of Labor Affairs should approve the employment, as well as the Ministry of Manpower must provide the labor clearance for this document.
In addition, the employee should be eligible to obtain the employment visa, and to achieve this he or she must satisfy approval criteria. The employer should comply with the Omanization quotas too.
Scientific Research Visa in Oman
Foreigners that want to enter to Oman with the purpose to carry out scientific research can request this visa. The Local Specialized Authorities should make the request on behalf of the individual.
The holder of this visa can stay up to three months in Oman, and he or she may request an additional extension for two months.
Investors’ Visa in Oman
Foreign investors that want to establish a company or just invest funds in Oman should apply for the Investors’ Visa. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is the body in charge of issuing this type of visa.
Family Joining Visa in Oman
Foreign employees that reside in Oman can obtain the Family Joining Visa for their wife and children who are under 21 years old. This visa will have the same validity as the employee’s residence permit. Thus, it will expire when this one expires too.
The Ministry of Interior is in charge of issuing the family visa, and one of the requirements is having a certificate of marriage from the Ministry of Interior.
Which requirements do you need to obtain a work permit in Oman?
There several documents you must submit to start the work permit process.
Documents for Labor Clearance
To request the labor clearance for your employees you must comply with the following requirements:
- Omanization plan: describe the positions you’ll fill with Omani nationals
- List of expatriate employees you plan to hire with positions, certifications and genders
In addition, you need the following documents duly attested:
- Copies of employees’ certificates of qualification
- Transcripts from universities or educational institutions
- Attestations by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Oman Embassy in employees’ home country
Documents for obtaining the employment visa
- Passport copy with a validity of six months (at minimum)
- Copy of the Labor License for each application form
- Job offer or letter of invitation
- Attested medical certificate (if required)
- Two passport photographs
- Proof of education or qualification
What are the most common questions regarding the work permit in Oman?
It’s important to clarify any doubt that employers may have regarding Oman immigration. For this reason, here we have the most common questions regarding work permits and employment visa.
- What is the validity of the employment visa in Oman?
The employment visa has a validity of two years from the date of entry.
- Can the employee begin to work after entering into Oman?
Even though the employee may have his or her valid employment visa, he or she can’t begin to work after entry immediately. It’s important to receive the residence permit and process all the necessary applications first. After that, he or she can begin to work.
- Can employees exit Oman if they have the employment visa?
Employer can travel outside Oman but they must not exit the country for a period longer than six months.
- What is the Omanization rule in Oman?
The Omanization rule is a quota established by the Authority to ensure Omani nationals can have employment opportunities. As an employer, you have a percentage of local and expatriates employees you can hire, and if you don’t comply with it you may face fines or penalties.
How can EOR Middle East assist you with Oman Immigration?
Here in EOR Middle East we can support you with your immigration needs so you can obtain the necessary work permits for your employees. Our team of specialists can analyze your requirements and provide an effective solution.
You don’t need to waste time on paperwork, translations, attestations or any other task. We will take care of everything. You can focus on your core business functions while we handle the entire immigration process from start to finish. Get your foreign employees ready to work in no time with our assistance.
Would you like to contact us to know more about Oman Immigration Services? Call us at 0097143316688 or send an email to [email protected] and you’ll talk to one of our representatives that will gladly answer all of your questions.
