Oman Work Visa | Types, Requirements & Process

Living and working in Oman is the dream of many with numerous career opportunities available in oil and gas, retail, educational, manufacturing, and hospitality sectors, making it an appealing labor market for expats. 

With so many options, non-Omanis have a wide range of employment options to pick from, and if you have just accepted a job offer in the Gulf country, you must first understand how to secure an Oman work visa and residency permission. 

We've gathered all the necessary information for obtaining your Oman work visa in this article.

What are the different types of Oman work visas?

There are a few work visas available in Oman, depending on your purpose of visit:

Work visa: It is granted at the request and on the responsibility of an employer to a foreigner who is coming to Oman for employment. This visa is valid for 2 years as of the date of stamping on the passport. It allows multiple entries.

Employment contracting visa: It is granted at the request and on the responsibility of an employer to a foreigner whose nature of work involves initial testing by some government organizations prior to employment. The visa is valid for 2 months as of the date of entry.

Temporary work visa: It is granted at the request and on the responsibility of an employer to a foreigner who is coming to Oman for temporary work. The visa is for the period as specified in the permit, 4 months, 6 months, or 9 months.

What are the Oman working visa required documents?

After the employer has secured the official clearance, an electronic application should be filled and attested with the following documents:

• copies of foreign employee passports, with a minimum of 6 months' validity
• two recent passport photographs
• a copy of the labor license issued by The Ministry of Manpower for each application form
• original and copy of the medical certificate for nationals of certain countries: India, Pakistan, Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Syria and Nepal. 
• copy of the approval of the relevant organization for certain occupations: teaching, religious, media, and medical occupations etc.
• letter from the Ministry of Manpower for certain occupations, like engineers.
• employee's relevant certificates and qualifications
• attestation letter from the Oman Embassy in the applicant's home country and the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs

What is the Oman work visa application process?

In order to obtain an Oman work visa, the employer has to be based in Oman and have full legal competence to hire foreign employees, then follow these steps:

• the employer obtains a labor license from the Ministry of Manpower
• the employer submits the application for the expatriate to the immigration department of the Royal Oman Police
• after the employer has secured the work visa, the employee must obtain a residence card to legally reside in Oman
• employees can obtain a residence card from the Civil Status Department of the Royal Oman Police within 30 days of entry