Work permit fee increased in Oman

Muscat: Stating today, companies will have to pay higher fee to hire foreign workers as part of the new rules announced earlier by Oman’s Labour Ministry.

The increase in the fee will be based on seniority of the positions — for upper and intermediate occupations, technical and specialised professions, according to a ministry statement.

The fee increase will also impact new businesses.

However, to encourage the Omanisation drive in private companies, the ministry has cut the hiring fee for those organisations that fulfil certain criteria. Accordingly, the hiring fee will be cut by 50 per cent for those companies that meet the Omanisation ratio set by the ministry. This is part of an economic stimulus plan for organisations towards the work permits for the expatriate workforce, who are on high and middle-level management positions, as well as certain specific professions and occupations, as per the ministry.

Additionally, companies that do have an Omani workforce will have their expat hiring fees reduced by 25 per cent. Omanisation rates will be calculated according to the size of the company and the nature of business activities.