GCC work visas

Visa & residency

Oman Work Visa (2026): Steps, Documents & Resident Card

How to get a work visa and residency in Oman: the sponsorship steps, documents, medical test, family sponsorship and the rules for changing jobs.

Quick answer

A foreign worker can only work in Oman for an employer that has Ministry of Labour authorisation to hire a non-Omani for that specific job. The employer gets the work permit, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) issues the employment visa, and after arrival you receive a Resident Card. Some jobs are reserved for Omanis, so check the job is open to expatriates first.

How to get a work visa in Oman

  1. Check the job is open to expatriates

    Oman reserves a list of professions for Omanis (more than 200 roles). Before accepting an offer, confirm with the employer that your job title is not on the Omanis-only list.

  2. Employer gets a work permit from the Ministry of Labour

    An employer cannot recruit a non-Omani worker without Ministry of Labour authorisation (Article 27). Since Ministerial Resolution 602/2025, work permits for non-Omanis are issued for 24 months to match the residence period.

  3. Pass the medical fitness exam

    The medical exam is done at a Gulf Health Council approved centre in your home country (booked through Wafid, formerly GAMCA). The certificate is then approved through Oman's Ministry of Health e-portal or at a Sanad office.

  4. Employer applies for your employment visa with the ROP

    The Royal Oman Police issues the employment visa at the request of your employer, who is your sponsor. You then travel to Oman on that visa.

  5. Get your Resident Card

    After arrival, the ROP issues your Resident Card. The fee is OMR 5 per year of validity, and cards can now be issued for up to 10 years depending on category (Decision 157/2025). Renew within 30 days of expiry.

  6. Make sure your contract is registered

    Your employment contract must be registered with the Ministry of Labour. Since October 2025, if the employer does not register the contract within 30 days of a permit renewal, you have the right to move to another employer.

Documents you will usually need

  • Valid passport (copy)
  • Signed employment contract
  • Educational and professional certificates, attested where required
  • Medical fitness certificate from a Gulf Health Council approved centre

Key rules

Permit
Work permit (Ministry of Labour) + employment visa and residence (Royal Oman Police)
Residence ID
Resident Card
Medical test
Since 7 January 2024, the visa medical exam is done at Gulf Health Council centres abroad, and the certificate is approved through the Ministry of Health e-portal or at Sanad offices. Expatriates no longer have to visit Health Ministry fitness centres in Oman for this step, and the ROP does not accept manually approved exams.
Sponsoring family
In February 2023, a senior Royal Oman Police official said the minimum monthly salary to sponsor a family was cut from OMR 350 to OMR 150. Migrant-rights groups noted no formal ROP statement was published at the time, so confirm the current figure with the ROP before applying.
Changing jobs
Since 1 January 2021 (ROP Decision 157/2020), expatriates no longer need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their old employer, and the old 2-year re-entry ban was removed. A 2021 Ministry of Labour decision lists the main cases: your contract has ended; your permit has expired with no registered contract; your employer ended the contract for a non-disciplinary reason; or a court ordered the transfer, ruled your dismissal arbitrary, or declared the employer bankrupt or dissolved. Since October 2025, you can also move if your contract was not registered within 30 days of a permit renewal. The new employer must have Ministry authorisation to hire you, and you must still respect your notice period. Working for another employer without authorisation is an offence that can lead to deportation (Articles 29 and 143).

Official portals

Sources:decree.omomanobserver.omlexis.aetimesofoman.comkpmg.comtimesofoman.commigrant-rights.orgcms.lawaddleshawgoddard.comknowledge.dlapiper.commondaq.com

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an NOC to change jobs in Oman?

No, not in the main cases. Since 1 January 2021, an NOC is not required when your contract has ended, your permit has expired without a registered contract, or your employer ended the contract for a non-disciplinary reason. The new employer still needs Ministry of Labour authorisation for your role.

How long is the Oman Resident Card valid?

Under ROP Decision 157/2025 (November 2025), a Resident Card can be issued for up to 10 years depending on category, at OMR 5 per year. A lost or damaged card costs OMR 20 to replace, and you must renew within 30 days of expiry.

Where do I do the medical test for an Oman work visa?

At a Gulf Health Council approved medical centre in your home country, booked through Wafid (formerly GAMCA). Since January 2024, the certificate is approved online through the Ministry of Health portal or at a Sanad office.

Can I work part-time for a second employer in Oman?

Not without authorisation. Article 29 says a non-Omani worker can work for others only after the Ministry of Labour is informed and approves it. Working for an unauthorised employer is an offence and can lead to deportation.

How long is an Oman work permit valid?

Under Ministerial Resolution 602/2025, work permits for non-Omani employees are issued for 24 months (up from 15 months), to match the residence period.

Last reviewed: 17 Oct 2026. General information based on the official sources cited - not legal advice. Check with the relevant authority before acting.

Get your application ready

A Gulf-format CV that states your visa status and notice period - free.

Build my Gulf CVCV format guide