MUSCAT : Oman has tightened pre-entry requirements for expatriate workers under its professional accreditation system, requiring foreign employees to verify their academic and professional qualifications before entering the country, while warning of strict penalties for forged certificates, a senior labour ministry official said.

Zaher bin Abdullah Al Sheikh, Director of the Professional Standards Department at the Ministry of Labour, said the measures are designed to regulate the labour market, curb credential fraud and improve workforce quality across key sectors.

Under the system, expatriate workers seeking employment in regulated professions — including engineering, logistics and accounting — must have their certificates assessed and approved by the relevant sectoral skills units before arrival.

A work practice licence is issued only after the qualification is formally verified. Entry permits are granted only once the licence has been issued, meaning foreign workers are not allowed to enter Oman before completing the accreditation process.

“The worker is first evaluated and licensed to practise the profession according to approved standards, and only then is entry permitted,” Al Sheikh said.

He added that the requirements apply to both new expatriates and existing foreign workers renewing their licences, ensuring ongoing verification throughout the employment cycle.

Penalties for forgery

Al Sheikh said Oman’s law provides for strict penalties against individuals and institutions involved in forging professional certificates or work practice licences.

Sanctions include financial fines, cancellation of work practice licences, deportation of expatriate workers and referral to judicial authorities, depending on the severity of the violation.

Responsibility also extends to employers and companies that facilitate, overlook or cooperate in such violations, he said.

Labour market regulation

The professional accreditation project forms part of broader labour market reforms aimed at organising employment practices, raising professional standards, improving productivity and enhancing the competitiveness of the national economy.

The system also supports the gradual replacement of expatriate labour with qualified Omani workers, in line with workforce nationalisation objectives, Al Sheikh said.

Each work practice licence includes a quick response (QR) code, enabling employers and authorities to verify a worker’s credentials instantly before recruitment or contract renewal.

Some sectors have been granted transitional periods to complete compliance, including the energy and minerals sector until June 1, 2026, with plans to expand the accreditation system later to sectors such as industry and legal consultancy.

Al Sheikh said the reforms are intended to strengthen confidence in professional qualifications, protect employers and ensure that only certified professionals are allowed to practise regulated occupations in Oman.

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