Required certification · Oman
Ministry of Labour / Omanisation
Oman's labour ministry: work permits and Omanisation targets
Market position
The Ministry of Labour issues and renews work permits for non-Omani staff and enforces Omanisation targets. Under Ministerial Decision 602/2025, in force since late January 2026, firms are sorted into green, yellow and red categories by Omanisation compliance: green firms get a 30% discount on visa and licensing fees, while yellow and red firms pay double, according to Muscat Daily. Some professions are closed to non-Omanis, and since 1 August 2025 engineers need professional accreditation for a work permit.
Oman-specific note
No single construction-wide Omanisation percentage was found in this check. What matters now is your firm's green, yellow or red category under Decision 602/2025, which moves work permit and visa fees 30% down or doubles them, and the list of professions closed to non-Omanis. Check your standing in the ministry's e-services before pricing expat-heavy work.
Pros
- + Work permits issued and renewed online
- + 30% fee discount for firms meeting Omanisation targets
- + Free self-service Omanisation compliance certificate
- + Training contract and wage support services for hiring Omanis
Cons
- − Firms missing Omanisation targets pay double permit fees
- − Some professions are closed to non-Omanis
- − Every private firm must employ at least one Omani
- − Engineers need OSE accreditation for a work permit
Typical Oman pricing
The ministry lists a service fee of OMR 301 for issuing or renewing an establishment's work permit for a non-Omani worker (individual employers: OMR 101 to issue, OMR 141 to renew). Since January 2026 firms meeting Omanisation targets get 30% off and firms falling short pay double, per Muscat Daily's report of Decision 602/2025.
Why this matters for Oman trades
The Oman Tax Authority administers 5% VAT (registration mandatory above OMR 38,500 of annual supplies) and Fawtara e-invoicing, a 5-corner model in which OTA-accredited service providers exchange invoices and report tax data; other sources give different phase dates, so check your own start date with the Authority. Since 1 August 2025 the Ministry of Labour requires OSE accreditation before an engineer’s work permit is issued or renewed. The Authority for Projects, Tenders and Local Content (Royal Decree 57/2025) registers and classifies suppliers, contractors and consulting offices on Esnad for government work. Under Ministerial Decision 602/2025, firms meeting Omanisation targets get 30% off visa and licensing fees and firms falling short pay double, according to Muscat Daily. Muscat Municipality issues building permits in Muscat governorate; the unified building code from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning is optional in 2026 and 2027, enforced in Muscat from 2028 and nationwide by 2030, according to Muscat Daily; and the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) sets building fire-safety conditions and studies construction plans.
Oman construction software selection is shaped by the Oman Tax Authority’s phased Fawtara e-invoicing rollout through accredited service providers (the Authority’s FAQ says implementation begins in August 2026 for 100 large VAT-registered companies, in February 2027 for all large VAT-registered companies and in August 2027 for all remaining VAT-registered taxpayers), alongside 5% VAT, OSE engineer accreditation (required for work permits since 1 August 2025), registration and classification on the Esnad portal of the Authority for Projects, Tenders and Local Content, Omanisation categories that raise or lower work permit fees, building permits through Muscat Municipality’s e-services, the unified Oman Building Code, and CDAA fire-safety requirements.
Frequently asked
Is Ministry of Labour / Omanisation a good fit for Oman trades?
The Ministry of Labour issues and renews work permits for non-Omani staff and enforces Omanisation targets. Under Ministerial Decision 602/2025, in force since late January 2026, firms are sorted into green, yellow and red categories by Omanisation compliance: green firms get a 30% discount on visa and licensing fees, while yellow and red firms pay double, according to Muscat Daily. Some professions are closed to non-Omanis, and since 1 August 2025 engineers need professional accreditation for a work permit. No single construction-wide Omanisation percentage was found in this check. What matters now is your firm's green, yellow or red category under Decision 602/2025, which moves work permit and visa fees 30% down or doubles them, and the list of professions closed to non-Omanis. Check your standing in the ministry's e-services before pricing expat-heavy work.
What does Ministry of Labour / Omanisation cost in Oman?
The ministry lists a service fee of OMR 301 for issuing or renewing an establishment's work permit for a non-Omani worker (individual employers: OMR 101 to issue, OMR 141 to renew). Since January 2026 firms meeting Omanisation targets get 30% off and firms falling short pay double, per Muscat Daily's report of Decision 602/2025. Pricing and availability can change by region; confirm current Oman pricing on the vendor's site before committing.
Other Oman vendors
Oman Tax Authority (VAT & e-invoicing)
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Oman Society of Engineers (OSE)
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Authority for Projects, Tenders & Local Content
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Muscat Municipality (Building Permits)
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Oman Building Code (MoHUP)
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Civil Defence & Ambulance Authority (CDAA)
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