Muscat: The Ministry of Labour confirmed that the revised work visa fees for expatriate employees, which was announced earlier this year, will come into active enforcement beginning June 1st, 2021. 

While companies who have already made payments towards work visa applications prior to this date, will not have to pay the revised fees, any application under process will have be charged according to the revised fee structure, as of June 1st, 2021.

According to The Ministry of Labour, “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.”

As per the revised fee structure, the cost for getting a work visa for top management position is RO 2,001, the fee for middle-management expats is RO 1,001 and, the fees for technical and skilled workers is RO 601.

However, in keeping with the Economic Stimulus Plan, there will be a significant reduction in fees for firms compliant with Omanisation standards towards all categories of expat workers, with the Ministry of labour stating, “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.”