MUSCAT: Starting from June 1, Oman will implement the new work permit fees for recruiting expatriate workers, the Ministry of Labour has confirmed. 

In January, the government had announced the new fee structure for employers with increased fees for hiring expatriate workers. “The Ministry of Labour announces through the Ministerial Decision No. ( 2021/12) that the new fees for work permits for non- Omani workforces for upper and intermediate occupations and technical and specialised professions, as well as for new work permits and fees for new businesses, will be in force starting from 1/6/2021,” the statement said. 

According to the decision issued in January, the new fee structure will cost OMR 2,001 to recruit expats in top positions, OMR 1,001 for mid levels, and OMR 601 for technical and skilled workers. 

The decision was made to increase Omanisation, the nationalization program of various jobs in the Sultanate.

However, the Ministry said it will provide a fee reduction for expat recruitment work permits if the companies achieve certain percentage of Omanisation rate. The decision is part of the economic stimulus plan introduced by the government. According to details, expat work permit fees will be reduced by 25 percent for companies that have Omani workforce, and 50 percent reduction will be given to companies that have achieved the Omanisation rate.     

The Omanisation rate will be calculated according to the distribution of workers in each company.  “The fees will be reduced by 25 percent for establishments that have Omani workforces and 50 percent for establishments that have achieved the Omanisation rate. The Omanisation rate will be calculated according to the distribution of workers on the establishment’s various economic activities,” the statement added.