Firms go for Short term Omani work visas

Oman

Shahswar Al Balushi, CEO of the Oman Society of Contractors, said: “Many business houses are opting for short-term work permits depending on projects. Investors too are opting for short-term permits as they have temporary businesses. Then, there are others who opt for these visas due to financial issues. They prefer to go for temporary visas as they are short of money.”
According to the Ministry of Manpower, there are several types of work visas available in Oman.

“There are four-, six- and nine-month visas available for expat workers,” the official said adding, one-year visas are available for investors.

“The ministry grants such work permits for businesses and projects that have a limited period of time, depending on the project,” he explained.

“A four-month visa for expat workers costs OMR61, a six-month visa OMR91, a nine-month one OMR136,” the official said.

“The one-year visa for investors costs OMR101,” he added.

“It depends on the projects available in the country. The temporary work permits had been put in place some years ago,” he added.

When contacted, a senior ROP official confirmed that they issue short-term visas. “This depends on firms’ requirements,” he said.

In November 2016, the Ministry of Manpower had announced that job visa fees for expat workers would be increased by 50 per cent.

The fee to obtain a new visa or to renew the same for an expat worker was increased from OMR201 to OMR301 for a two-year visa.

For domestic workers, camel herders and farm workers, the fee was also changed. “Since then, people started opting for short-term visas,” a businessman who refused to be named said.

The long-term objective of the initiative is to unlock the flexible movement of expats to help private enterprises in need of additional staff. After an amendment to the new law, a company can move an expat worker to a group company for a period of three months after notifying the Ministry of Manpower,” the report said.