Expat workers with expired work permits have time till July 2025 to renew contract without paying fines: Oman’s Labour Minister

MUSCAT: The Ministry of Labour has decided to waive fines of expat workers whose work permits were expired for more than seven years and cancel the fees incurred during the COVID-19 period.

In an interview with Oman TV, His Excellency Dr Mahad bin Saeed Baowin, Minister of Labour, has informed that the individuals will have time until the end of July 2025 to correct their status either by renewing their work permit or terminating services without penalties. “We have decided to drop fines accumulated for more than seven years, and cancel the fees incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic period. We are opening the doors to those wishing to regularise their status the opportunity to remain in the country and work under the right conditions. They can renew their work permits for the next two years. However, if an employer does not wish to renew a worker’s permit, they can terminate their services and provide a travel ticket. All existing fines and fees will also be cancelled without additional obligations,” the Minister clarified.
The minister also revealed that out of more than 400,000 registered companies in Oman, over 135,000 are just commercial records with no actual activity. Sharing insights into Oman’s labour market, Dr. Baouin, stated that approximately 265,000 of the total registered companies actively employ workers.
“Regulation is not an obstacle, but an obligation that guarantees everyone’s rights. Regulated companies provide better quality services and avoid practices that harm the market, such as hidden trade and the sale of company licences (CRs),” he added.