The employer will be responsible for applying for the working visa Oman for any foreign employees they wish to bring to the country. Likewise, the Ministry of Manpower of Oman offers various online means for any company that wants to sponsor. Additionally, if you are a foreigner sponsored by a government entity, you can check the visa through the Royal Oman Police portal.
In this article, you will learn what the visa to work in Oman is, what the requirements are, and what types of visas are available. Additionally, what is the fee you must pay, as well as the application process for the same.
What is the working visa in Oman?
The working visa Oman is a document that will allow an expatriate to work in the country. Likewise, you will only get the visa if you have a local company or sponsor in Oman. Additionally, if you are an employer, you will be responsible for applying instead of the employee to the Omani Ministry of Manpower.
On the other hand, if you are an employee and have been hired by a government company, you will not need to apply to the Ministry of Manpower.
Types of visas to work in Oman
In Oman, you have at your disposal several types of visa useful for working or for your employers if you are a sponsor. Below you will see the list of work visas in detail:
Scientific Research Visa
It is what you can obtain to enter the country if you intend to do scientific research. However, you cannot apply for this visa yourself but must do so through specialized local entities. Likewise, the visa is valid for 3 months, extendable up to 5 months.
Investor Visa
It is the indicated visa if you intend to invest in a business in Oman. Likewise, to obtain it, you will require the approval of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Work visa Oman eligibility
To use the working visa Oman the age requirement is between 21 and 60 years. In addition, you must obtain visas to work and reside for your workers with authorization from the General Directorate of Labor Affairs.
Documents to apply for a work visa in Oman
After obtaining official authorization, you will need to apply electronically, which will complete and certify the document. You can apply for the electronic visa through the Royal Oman Police platform, presenting the documents detailed below:
- Copies of passports of foreign employees, valid for at least 6 months.
- 2 recent passport photos.
- The copy of the work license for each application form issued by the Ministry of Manpower.
- Likewise, Original and copy of the medical certificate for these countries India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Syria, Nepal, Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan. In addition, the medical certificate approved by the Ministry of Health.
- Certain occupations will require a copy of approval from the relevant organization religious, teaching, medical occupations, media, and more.
- Approval letter from the Ministry of Manpower for certain professions
- Employee Certification and Qualifications
- Certified letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country
- Certified letter from the Oman embassy of the country of origin of the worker
Work visa Oman cost
To obtain a work visa Oman, the sponsor of the interested person will have to pay OMR 20. However, new fees depend on the sector in which the employee who needs the said document will work. For example, a work permit for domestic workers can cost you approximately OMR 140.
In contrast, a work visa in Oman for professionals qualified by the Ministry of Labor (MOL) will cost OMR 2000. This fee also applies to professions included in a Ministerial Decree made official in January 2021. Likewise, it applies to workers with a salary of OMR 4000 regardless of the profession.
Additionally, Small and Medium Enterprises can enjoy a work permit issuance fee of OMR 100. However, this fee is only for the first 2 years and they must meet the conditions established by the authorities.
Process to apply for a working visa Oman
To apply for a working visa Oman for a foreign employee, companies must meet one primary requirement. In this case, it is about proving that the foreign employee has the skills or qualifications that an Omani citizen does not possess. In this way, the authorities manage the process of Omanization of the labor sectors.
Thus, if the company in question can demonstrate the above, they can begin the permit application process. Likewise, the process can take about 5 business days if they follow the process properly.
Steps to acquire a work visa in Oman
There are several distinct stages to applying for a working visa Oman that every business must follow. Next, we will guide you through each of the phases that you must complete correctly:
1st Stage – Obtain a work permit
To begin, you will need to apply to the appropriate division of the Oman Ministry of Manpower. In addition, you must meet the required requirements, which include the following:
- Accept the rules of Omanization
- Verify the proportion of foreign workers according to the aforementioned rules
- Take these workers into account according to the activity of the requesting company
- The workers you want to integrate into your company must have the necessary qualifications
2nd Stage – Apply for the Oman working visa
The interested company must apply for a working visa Oman for each foreign worker it wishes to hire. Likewise, foreign employees must meet the following requirements:
- Age between 21 and 60 years
- Both sex and occupation must match those of the aforementioned permit.
- For some professions, you will need to apply for a special permit
Additionally, you must present the documentation of the worker mentioned above.
3rd Stage – Entry into the country
When obtaining a work visa Oman, the applicant can enter the country safely. In this case, once in the territory, you must apply for a residence card to remain in the country.
4th Stage – Medical test and biometric information
After entering the country, the worker must go to the Royal Oman Police to collect the said card. You must do so within the first 30 days after your admission. Additionally, you will need to go to an authorized medical center to have a blood test and enter your biometric information.
In this way, you will be able to stay in Oman for the time determined by the authorities according to your professional activity.
Working visa in Oman policy changes
One of the new policies regarding work visas consists of what happens in any of the following situations:
- Change of employment by the worker
- Dismissal of the employee
- Expiration of employment contract
Therefore, in any of these cases, the employer has the option of signing a release letter. However, the Oman Ministry of Manpower must approve the said letter. Likewise, the owner of a work visa for Oman will have to pay late fees.
The aforementioned letter must state the work authorization of the employee from the government and the sponsor. Additionally, without this No Objection Letter, the employee will have to leave the country and will not be able to return for at least 2 years.
Policy for leaving Oman about work visa
Work visa Oman holders cannot leave the territory for more than 6 consecutive months. However, they can do so if they are relatives of the visa holder.
Hence, foreigners who want to obtain a working visa Oman must have the necessary qualifications and a local sponsor. In this case, it must be a company that meets the Omanization criteria required by the local Ministry of Manpower. To have a broader knowledge of the characteristics of the process of obtaining this visa, contact us to resolve your questions.
