Oman employment visa and resident card for Indian workers

The Ministry of Labour's 2025 fee decision replaced the flat OMR 301 with three bands by profession and a 30 per cent discount for employers meeting Omanisation targets, doubling the fee for those below target, which is why employers in heavily Omanised sectors hire fewer expatriates; the resident card fee fell to OMR 5 a year under Decision 157 of 2025. Since 2021 workers may change employer at the end of a contract or with notice without a no-objection certificate, and the 2023 Labour Law introduced paternity leave, longer maternity leave and clearer termination rules.

Indian ECR passport holders (generally without a Class 10 certificate) need e-Migrate clearance and a contract at or above the Indian Embassy's minimum referral wage for Oman; the Embassy in Muscat and the Indian Social Club assist workers with wage disputes and passport retention complaints, which Omani law prohibits.

Oman has no personal income tax on salaries (a 5 per cent tax on high incomes is legislated for 2028). Vistolane lists each item at the official rate and marks who pays.

1. 1

   Offer and labour clearance

   The employer applies to the Ministry of Labour for clearance in the profession and nationality; fee paid.

2. 2

   Employment visa

   The employer applies on the ROP portal with the passport copy, photo and clearance; OMR 20; visa valid 3 months to enter.

3. 3

   Pre-travel steps in India

   GAMCA medical, degree attestation for professional titles, police certificate, e-Migrate for ECR passports.

4. 4

   Travel within 3 months

   Enter Oman on the employment visa; the employer keeps only copies of the passport.

5. 5

   Resident card within 30 days

   Local medical, fingerprints at the ROP, resident card (OMR 5 a year), bank account and Wage Protection registration.

Healthcare and engineering hires should start Ministry of Health or Oman Society of Engineers registration 2 to 3 months before the visa.

Workers keep their passports, are paid through the Wage Protection System, accrue end-of-service gratuity (replaced by a savings fund for new contracts under the 2023 reforms) and may change employer with a new labour clearance at the end of the contract or with notice. Disputes go to the Ministry of Labour's welfare department and the courts; the Indian Embassy's labour wing assists. Resident cards are renewed with the 2-year contract.

Workers earning OMR 300 a month or more sponsor spouses and children on the family joining visa (OMR 20 each), covered on the Oman family route page, and long-term residents or business owners can move to the Investor Residency Programme on the Oman investor page.

• Oman Ministry of Labour: work permits and fees ↗
• Royal Oman Police: visa types and fees ↗
• Embassy of India, Muscat: employment visa guidance ↗