The recruitment of expats in Oman is regulated by the Omani
Sultani Decree No. 35/2003 ( the “Labour Law”). The
provisions of the Labour Law governing the recruitment of
expatriates are summarized below.
Article 18 of the Labour Law of 2003 which stipulates that an
employer is prohibited from hiring non-Omani workers unless the
employee has obtained a permit from the Ministry of Manpower. The
grant of such permit is subject to the following conditions:
– There is an insufficient number Omani’s the
sufficient for the position.
– The employer has complied with the percentages of
Omanisation set by the Ministry of Manpower; and
– The determined fees have been paid.
A non-Omani is prohibited from joining any work in the Sultanate
before obtaining a labour card, which is the Civil Status ID Card.
The grant of this card is upon the employer’s request, and is
subject to the following conditions:
