Oman Labour Ministry: Visa renewal grace period ends on July 31 — final call to avoid fines

Muscat: The Ministry of Labour has issued a final reminder to all individuals, employers, and workers that the grace period for rectifying legal employment status — including labour card (visa) renewals without fines — will end on July 31, 2025.

The ministry has urged all concerned parties to make use of the ongoing exemption and waiver package, warning that no applications will be accepted after the deadline.

“The Ministry of Labour reminds all individuals, employers, and workers that the grace period for rectifying legal status will end on 31 July 2025. No applications submitted after this date will be considered,” the alert stated.

This final reminder follows a January announcement, when the Omani Cabinet approved a comprehensive waiver initiative valued at up to 60 million Omani rials ($156 million).

The initiative aims to improve workforce regulation, protect the rights of workers and employers, and support a more efficient labour market.

Cancellation of fines and dues for expired labour cards inactive for over seven years.

Exemption from paying repatriation costs (airfare) for workers who left Oman before 2018.

Cancellation of labour cards unused for over 10 years, provided there were no related service requests.

Waivers for liquidated companies if workers are repatriated or their services transferred.

Six-month grace period (February 1–July 31, 2025) to regularise worker status and avoid fines, subject to:

Applications will only be accepted between February 1 and July 31, 2025 through the Ministry’s website and approved service channels.

Oman’s expatriate workforce continues to be led by nationals from Bangladesh (622,078), India (507,956), and Pakistan (314,997). Together, they represent over 80% of the country’s expat labour force.

-- Fahad Al Mukrashi is a freelance journalist based in Oman