# How to Get a Work Permit in Oman (Visa Steps & Fees)

> An Oman work permit is requested by the employer from the Ministry of Labour, followed by an OMR 20 Royal Oman Police work visa, a medical test and a resident card. This guide covers steps, documents, current fees and typical delays.

URL: https://omanregister.com/work-permit-oman/
Updated: 2026-10-24
Publisher: Oman Register (omanregister.com) — company registration and residency services in Oman. Contact: +968 7733 3556, info@omanregister.com

You cannot apply for an Oman work permit yourself. A licensed employer in Oman applies first to the [Ministry of Labour](https://www.mol.gov.om) for the work permit, then to the Royal Oman Police (ROP) for an OMR 20 work visa, and after you arrive you pass a medical and receive a resident card. Government fees for one worker usually total about OMR 230–360 for two years (more if the employer misses its Omanisation target), and most hires take one to three months from start to finish.

This guide is for job seekers checking an offer and for founders hiring their first foreign employee. It covers the four stages, the 2026 fee rules, the documents, nationality-specific medical rules and the mistakes that cause most delays.

## Work permit, work visa and resident card: what is the difference?

They are three separate documents from different authorities, issued in a fixed order:

| Document | Issued by | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit (labour clearance) | Ministry of Labour | Lets a named employer bring in a foreign worker for a specific profession |
| Work (employment) visa | Royal Oman Police | Lets that worker enter Oman for the job on the permit |
| Resident card | Royal Oman Police | Proves legal residence once the worker has passed the medical in Oman |

The employer is the applicant for the first two. The worker's own role starts at the airport. Older ROP pages still say "Ministry of Manpower", which is the former name of the Ministry of Labour.

![Omani HR officer reviewing paperwork with a foreign new hire in a Muscat office](https://omanregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/work-permit-oman-2.jpg)

## What are the steps to get a work permit in Oman?

### 1. The employer gets the work permit from the Ministry of Labour

The employer needs an active commercial registration, a Ministry of Labour account and an Omanisation ratio that allows another expatriate in that profession. The ministry checks the company's headcount before approving. If the company is below its required Omani share, or the profession is reserved for Omanis, the file stops here, and nothing at the ROP will move it.

The permit fixes two details for the rest of the process: **the profession and the worker's gender**. Government employers skip this stage.

### 2. The employer applies to the ROP for the work visa

According to [Gov.om's Get a Work Visa service](https://gov.om/en/w/get-a-work-visa), the steps are submission, review and issue, and the fee is **OMR 20**. The applicant must be at least 21, and the gender and profession must match the work permit exactly. The employer or its PRO files the application online and signs it.

### 3. The worker enters Oman

The [ROP work visa](https://www.rop.gov.om/english/Visas.aspx) is multi-entry and valid for two years from the date it is stamped on entry. Before booking a flight, check the visa copy against your passport: name spelling, passport number and profession. Fixing an error before travel is far easier than after.

### 4. Medical test and resident card after arrival

The worker registers for the Ministry of Health medical fitness examination, which costs **OMR 30** (OMR 40 for catering workers such as chefs and café staff), according to [Gov.om's medical fitness service](https://gov.om/en/w/get-medical-fitness-certificate-to-get-resident-card). The service takes about five days. The ROP then issues the resident card. Under ROP Decision 78/2025, cards can be issued for one, two or three years at **OMR 5 per year**.

If you are the new hire, ask which stage your file is at. A file stuck at stage 1 usually means a quota problem the company has to fix. A file stuck at stage 2 usually means a document problem that can be fixed in days.

## What documents are required for an Oman work visa?

| Document | Provided by | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport copy | Worker | At least 6 months' validity |
| Personal photo | Worker | The ROP form asks for 6x4 cm photos |
| Work permit copy | Employer | Profession and gender must match the visa application |
| Medical certificate | Worker | Ministry of Health-attested original for the 11 nationalities listed below |
| Profession approval | Employer, using the worker's certificates | For teaching, religious, media and medical roles |
| Ministry of Labour letter | Employer | For some professions, such as engineers |
| Release letter | Worker, from the previous employer | Needed if you left Oman less than two years ago; must be approved by the Directorate General of Passports and Residence |

For regulated jobs (doctors, nurses, teachers, engineers), degree attestation and professional approval run on their own timetable. Start them as soon as the offer is signed, because they often take longer than the visa itself.

![Graphic listing key Oman work visa requirements: age 21+, passport valid 6 months, work permit and medical](https://omanregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/work-permit-oman-3.jpg)

## Which nationalities need an attested medical certificate?

The ROP lists 11 countries whose nationals must submit a medical certificate attested by the Ministry of Health with the visa application:

- India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka
- Philippines, Indonesia
- Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Syria

The same rule applies to the [temporary work visa](https://www.rop.gov.om/english/Visas.aspx?VisaName=TemporaryWorkVisa). Take the medical only at a centre your employer or the Omani embassy confirms is approved. A report from an unrecognised clinic cannot be attested, and you will end up paying twice.

Applicants from other countries, for example Nigeria, Russia, the CIS states, Iran or Europe, do not need the pre-entry attested certificate. Everyone still takes the medical in Oman after arrival.

## How much does an Oman work permit cost?

Ministerial Decision 602/2025 reset Ministry of Labour fees and extended the work permit from 15 to 24 months, so it now matches the residence period. The main fee classes, as reported by the [Oman Observer](https://www.omanobserver.om/article/1178709/oman/labour/mol-issues-decision-on-work-permits-work-practice-permits), are:

| Profession class | Work permit fee (per worker) |
|---|---|
| First class | OMR 301 |
| Second class | OMR 251 |
| Third class | OMR 201 |
| Investor class | OMR 301 |
| Sailors, ship mechanics and electricians | OMR 201 |
| Domestic workers (up to 3 / 4 or more) | OMR 101 / OMR 141 |

Two adjustments matter for every company:

- **Fees fall by 30%** if the employer meets its prescribed Omanisation rate, and **double** if it does not. The [February 2026 report](https://www.omanobserver.om/article/1184500/oman/labour/firms-to-get-30-discount-on-expat-permit-fees-for-meeting-omanisation-targets) confirms the ministry is applying this.
- Fees are paid only after the ministry approves the application. If the worker fails the medical, the visa is refused or the worker leaves within 90 days, the employer can reclaim the fee or reissue the permit for OMR 1.

### Example: total government cost for one second-class employee (2 years)

| Item | Omanisation met | Standard | Not met |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work permit | OMR 175.7 | OMR 251 | OMR 502 |
| ROP work visa | OMR 20 | OMR 20 | OMR 20 |
| Medical fitness exam | OMR 30 | OMR 30 | OMR 30 |
| Resident card (2 years) | OMR 10 | OMR 10 | OMR 10 |
| **Total** | **about OMR 236** | **about OMR 311** | **about OMR 562** |

Not included: degree attestation and translation, PRO or agent fees, health insurance, flights, and the employee's own visa costs at home. The employer, as sponsor, normally pays the government fees. A recruitment agent's lump-sum "visa price" is the agent's package, not an official fee.

### Fines employers should avoid

- Late permit renewal or late registration of worker data: **OMR 10 per month**, up to OMR 500 per worker.
- Late regularisation of a worker's status (for example, not cancelling after departure): OMR 15 a month for individuals and OMR 20 for companies, up to OMR 500 per worker.
- Changing the profession on a permit costs OMR 5. Upgrading to a higher class means paying only the fee difference.

## How long does the Oman work visa process take?

No authority publishes a fixed processing time. In practice:

| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Work permit (Ministry of Labour) | A few days to several weeks, depending on quota and profession checks |
| Medical attestation at home (11 listed nationalities) | 1–3 weeks |
| ROP work visa | Usually days once documents are complete |
| Medical in Oman and resident card | About 1–2 weeks after arrival |

Plan for **one to three months** in total, and longer for regulated professions. Most of the waiting happens before the ROP stage.


## Temporary work visa: when does it fit?

For fixed-term projects the ROP issues a temporary work visa valid for **4, 6 or 9 months** from stamping, with multiple entries and the same minimum age of 21. The employer needs a Ministry of Labour permit for temporary workers. Match the period to the realistic project length. A four-month visa for an eight-month job only creates more paperwork later.

## Common mistakes that delay an Oman work permit

1. **Different job titles.** "Site engineer" on the visa form and "civil engineer" on the permit is enough to get the file returned.
2. **Hiring before checking Omanisation.** If the company is below its Omani quota, the permit stalls and the fee doubles.
3. **Short passport validity.** The passport must still have six months left when the visa is stamped, not just when you apply.
4. **Medical at the wrong clinic.** For the 11 listed nationalities, only approved centres count.
5. **Ignoring the two-year release rule.** If you left Oman less than two years ago, you need your previous employer's release letter before a new visa.
6. **Paying for a "free visa".** A work visa covers only the sponsoring employer and the profession on the permit. Working for someone else is a violation.
7. **Late renewals.** Monthly fines add up per worker. Put permit and resident card expiry dates in a calendar.

## What employers and founders need before hiring their first expat

- A registered company, either [mainland](https://omanregister.com/mainland-company-registration-oman/) or in a zone such as [Sohar Free Zone](https://omanregister.com/free-zones/sohar-free-zone/). See all options in our [company registration hub](https://omanregister.com/register-company-in-oman/).
- A Ministry of Labour account and a clear picture of your Omanisation requirement before you make offers.
- One consistent job title for each role across the contract, the permit and the visa.
- A plan for your own residency. Founders usually hold investor residency through their company, and larger investors can consider the [Oman Golden Visa](https://omanregister.com/golden-visa/). Our guide to [registering a company with residency](https://omanregister.com/register-company-oman-residency/) explains the founder route.

For family members, read our [immigration and residency guide](https://omanregister.com/comprehensive-guide-to-immigration-and-residency-in-oman-2026/) and [Oman visa requirements](https://omanregister.com/oman-visa-requirements/). Oman Register handles Ministry of Labour registration, work permits, visas and resident cards for new and existing companies, and can tell you before you file where a specific hire is likely to slow down.

## FAQ

**Can I apply for an Oman work permit myself?**

No. The employer applies for the work permit at the Ministry of Labour and then for the work visa at the Royal Oman Police. The worker only supplies personal documents and attends the medical after arrival.

**How much does an Oman work permit cost in 2026?**

Under Ministerial Decision 602/2025 the Ministry of Labour fee is OMR 301, 251 or 201 per worker depending on the profession class, reduced by 30% for employers meeting Omanisation targets and doubled for those that do not. The ROP visa adds OMR 20, the medical OMR 30 and the resident card OMR 5 per year.

**How long is an Oman work permit valid?**

Since Decision 602/2025, a work permit is valid for 24 months to match the residence period. The standard work visa is multi-entry and valid for two years from stamping, and resident cards can now be issued for one, two or three years.

**How long does the Oman work visa process take?**

There is no official processing time. Most private-sector hires take one to three months from the permit application to the resident card, and the Omanisation check and medical attestation cause most delays.

**Which nationalities need an attested medical certificate before the visa?**

The ROP lists India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Syria and Nepal. Nationals of these countries must submit a medical certificate attested by the Ministry of Health.

**Can I work in Oman on a family or visit visa?**

Not on its own. The right to work comes from a Ministry of Labour permit held by an employer for a named profession, so a company must apply in its own name, and a change of visa status is usually needed.

## Sources

- [Gov.om — Get a Work Visa (Royal Oman Police)](https://gov.om/en/w/get-a-work-visa)
- [Royal Oman Police — Visa types (work visa)](https://www.rop.gov.om/english/Visas.aspx)
- [Royal Oman Police — Temporary work visa](https://www.rop.gov.om/english/Visas.aspx?VisaName=TemporaryWorkVisa)
- [Gov.om — Medical fitness certificate for resident card (Ministry of Health)](https://gov.om/en/w/get-medical-fitness-certificate-to-get-resident-card)
- [Oman Observer — MoL decision 602/2025 on work permits and fees](https://www.omanobserver.om/article/1178709/oman/labour/mol-issues-decision-on-work-permits-work-practice-permits)
- [Oman Observer — 30% permit fee discount for meeting Omanisation (2026)](https://www.omanobserver.om/article/1184500/oman/labour/firms-to-get-30-discount-on-expat-permit-fees-for-meeting-omanisation-targets)
- [Gulf News — ROP Decision 78/2025 on 1–3 year resident cards and fees](https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/oman/oman-introduces-flexible-1-3-year-expat-residence-cards-extends-omani-id-validity-to-10-years-1.500228935)
- [Ministry of Labour](https://www.mol.gov.om)