[Oman] New labour ban on expats in 200+ professions

In Oman, a transformative labour market overhaul is underway, with the announcement of a sweeping policy prohibiting expatriates from working in more than 200 professions, including roles traditionally held by foreign workers in sectors from hospitality to management, MSN reports.

Announced this month by the Ministry of Labour, the directive is part of a broader “Omanisation” push intended to prioritise employment for Omani nationals across key industries.

It will reportedly have far-reaching implications for Omani citizens, foreign residents, employers and travellers, raising questions about workforce dynamics, economic growth, tourism quality and Oman’s ambitions to be a destination and business hub in the Gulf.

Expats will no longer be permitted to hold work visas for more than 200 specified professions under the new policy. The list includes critical functions such as HR, public relations, customer service, tourism roles, managerial positions and other expert or specialist jobs that have traditionally relied heavily on foreign talent.

Oman has restricted expatriate hiring across 200+ professions through multiple Ministry of Labour decrees, most notably Resolution 235/2022 and Resolution 501/2024. The policy blocks new work visas for expatriates in these roles, while existing workers may stay until permit expiry. High-skill IT and digital roles are gradually being restricted, with final phases extending into 2027.

The move reportedly builds on a series of reforms that have expanded restrictions on foreign workers over the past few years. Earlier government resolutions had already added roles such as marketing specialists, quality control managers, electrical technicians and tourism agents to the list of professions reserved for Omani nationals.

The changes form part of a long-term vision articulated in Oman’s labour strategy, “Omanisation”, aimed at reducing dependence on expat labour and advancing local participation in the economy. The policy builds on decades of incremental tightening, such as earlier bans on expat hiring in select professions and requirements for local hiring quotas in foreign-owned companies.

Source: MSN

In Oman, a transformative labour market overhaul is underway, with the announcement of a sweeping policy prohibiting expatriates from working in more than 200 professions, including roles traditionally held by foreign workers in sectors from hospitality to management, MSN reports.

Announced this month by the Ministry of Labour, the directive is part of a broader “Omanisation” push intended to prioritise employment for Omani nationals across key industries.

It will reportedly have far-reaching implications for Omani citizens, foreign residents, employers and travellers, raising questions about workforce dynamics, economic growth, tourism quality and Oman’s ambitions to be a destination and business hub in the Gulf.

Expats will no longer be permitted to hold work visas for more than 200 specified professions under the new policy. The list includes critical functions such as HR, public relations, customer service, tourism roles, managerial positions and other expert or specialist jobs that have traditionally relied heavily on foreign talent.

Oman has restricted expatriate hiring across 200+ professions through multiple Ministry of Labour decrees, most notably Resolution 235/2022 and Resolution 501/2024. The policy blocks new work visas for expatriates in these roles, while existing workers may stay until permit expiry. High-skill IT and digital roles are gradually being restricted, with final phases extending into 2027.

The move reportedly builds on a series of reforms that have expanded restrictions on foreign workers over the past few years. Earlier government resolutions had already added roles such as marketing specialists, quality control managers, electrical technicians and tourism agents to the list of professions reserved for Omani nationals.

The changes form part of a long-term vision articulated in Oman’s labour strategy, “Omanisation”, aimed at reducing dependence on expat labour and advancing local participation in the economy. The policy builds on decades of incremental tightening, such as earlier bans on expat hiring in select professions and requirements for local hiring quotas in foreign-owned companies.

Source: MSN