Your 2025 Guide: 7 Essential Steps to Master the Oman Work Visa Process.
Do you belong to the expatriate workforce in Oman who are willing to move their careers to the next stage in the beautiful Sultanate of Oman? The process of obtaining an Omani work visa appears to be complicated, particularly given the new changes in the Oman Labour Law and the new policy of Omanisation that is in force
This is a detailed manual, supported by existing laws at the Ministry of Labor, Oman, and the Royal Oman Police (ROP), which makes it easy to wade through the maze. We offer an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide on how to get your Oman employment visa so that you can smoothly move into your new job.
What’s New for Expatriate Visas in 2025?
Due to the economic ambitions in the economic objectives of Vision 2040, the Sultanate of Oman has initiated the relevant amendments to its labor and immigration policies. In addition to the above, the government has also tightened restrictions on Omanisation, which will be implemented on January 1, 2025 by making an additional category of professions an exclusive right of Omani nationals, so that an employer must prove that the vacancy is not on this list of restricted professions. It is contained in the new Labour Law that suggests a reduced working week of 40 hours and allows the termination of non-Omani workers with the clear objective of meeting the Omanisation requirements. Finally, the Work Permit Fee Structure is also modified, and the fees range up to OMR 2000 based on the requirement of the job (e.g., high-level) and salary of the employee (e.g,. more than OMR 4000).
Step-by-Step Guide: The Oman Employment Visa Process
Step 1: Secure an Employment Contract & Employer Sponsorship
The Oman work visa process begins after a valid job offer has been made and an official employment contract has been signed. An essential condition is the compulsory sponsorship: either a legally registered Omani business or an Omani citizen is obligatory to apply for the visa, since without any of them, this application is impossible. Also, the applicants need to follow certain eligibility rules, such as being between the ages of 21 and 60 years old and having a passport which has at least six months before the date of his or her expected entry into the country.
Step 3: Submitting the Oman Employment Visa Application Online
After getting the sufficient Labour Clearance by the Ministry of Labour, you then approach the Royal Oman Police (ROP) Directorate General of Passports and Residence. In this step, one submits an online application for the Oman work visa through the official E-Visa system of the ROP. The employer has to fill out the online visa application form and attach electronic copies of all supporting documents that are required. The work visa application fee alone will cost approximately and will last up to two years.
Step 4: Employer Obtains Labour Clearance (Work Permit)
This is the first and most crucial governmental hurdle. The employer must apply to the Ministry of Labour, Oman, for a labour clearance/approval or Labor License.
Step 4: Visa Issuance and Travel
Upon approval, the ROP issues the Employment Visa. You will be provided with an electronic version of visa that is usually two-year multiple-entry visa.
Step 5: Arrival in Oman and Mandatory Medical Examination
Within the first 30 days of your arrival in Oman, you must complete two mandatory steps to validate your residency.
- Medical Check-up: You must undergo a full medical fitness certificate for a work visa check, including blood tests for infectious diseases. discuss with the health ministry
- Biometrics and Fingerprinting: You will be required to submit your fingerprint and biometrics Oman visa data to the Civil Status Department of the ROP.
Step 6: Obtaining the Resident Card (Oman ID)
The final step is acquiring your Resident Card, which serves as your legal identification and residency proof. It is issued by the Directorate General of Civil Status after the medical and biometric requirements are met, and is typically valid for two years, matching your visa duration.
Required Documents for Oman Work Visa
For a seamless process, ensure your employer has the following key Oman employment visa requirements:
Work Visa Categories & Key Considerations
Resident Work Visa: The 2-year multiple-entry visa.
Oman Temporary Work Visa: 4 to 9 months old, intended to be used in short-term projects or assignments.
Employment Contracting Visa: This is usually for a duration of up to two months, and it applies to particular project-related positions.
Family Joining Visa Oman: Sponsors of the primary work visa holder are the immediate family members (spouses and children under the age of 21 years).
Actionable Tips for Expats in 2025
- Verify Your Job Title: Ensure the job title on your employment contract exactly matches the one on the Labour Clearance issued by the Ministry of Labour, Oman. Discrepancies lead to automatic rejection.
- Track Processing Time: While the official visa processing can be as fast as a week once the Labour Clearance is secured, the overall processing time work visa in Oman (including Labour Clearance) typically ranges from 4 to 8 weeks.
- Check the Ban List: If you are in the IT, sales, or managerial sectors, have your employer verify that your position is not on the phased Omanisation banned list for 2025 and future years.
- Insights on Work Visa Fees
Understanding the difference between the Work Permit Fee and the Visa Issuance Fee is vital.
Ready to Start Your Oman Career?
Oman continues to be a terrific place for workforce professionals to work for expatriate workers who are in search of rewarding careers and a desirable life. Through this alliance with an abiding Omani sponsor and adherence to the updated procedure of 2025, you are assured of obtaining your visa effectively.