Expats face new job bans in Oman: Systems analysts, engineers, and managers now restricted
TL;DR:
Oman has expanded its list of professions prohibited for non-Omani workers, now including engineers, IT roles, quality control, and several technical and supervisory positions.
The restrictions take effect immediately for many jobs and will be phased in for others between January 2025 and January 2027.
These changes are part of Oman's broader
Omani
sation policy to prioritize employment for Omani nationals across key sectors.
In September 2024, Oman's Ministry of Labour announced an expanded list of professions closed to expatriate workers, reinforcing its commitment to Omanisation. This new resolution updates Ministerial Resolution No.
235/2022, expanding the list of professions restricted to Omani nationals. It is designed to boost opportunities for Omani citizens, particularly in high-skill, technical, and managerial occupations.
Detailed list and implementation timeline:
Immediately restricted professions (effective the day after publication):
Managerial, technical, and supervisory roles including hotel reception managers, lifeguards, travel agents, room service supervisors, quality control managers, marketing specialists, labour supervisors, loading/unloading supervisors, and more.
Technical and operational roles such as drilling fluid engineers, drilling officers, electricians and mechanical technicians (general maintenance), drilling measurement engineers, quality controllers, aircraft loading controllers, ship lashing/fixing workers, and flatbed crane/forklift drivers.
Sales and logistics positions like new/used vehicle salesperson, new/used parts seller, commercial brokers, and commercial promoters (sales representatives).
IT and administrative jobs like computer maintenance technicians, computer operators, marine observers, and ship traffic controllers.
Phased implementation:
From January 1, 2025:
Systems Analyst (general), Information Systems Network Specialist, Marine Controller, Ship Movement Controller, Computer Maintenance Technician.
From January 1, 2026:
Computer Programmer, Computer Engineer, Computer Operator.
From January 1, 2027:
Website Designer, Operations Analyst.
Purpose and policy context:
Omanisation Policy: This expansion is part of Oman's long-term Omanisation initiative, first launched in 1988, which aims to replace foreign workers with trained Omani nationals in both the public and private sectors, and to reduce unemployment among citizens.
The move aligns with the country's national workforce development plans, responding to the needs for local expertise and allowing Omanis to fill roles in industries previously dominated by expatriates.
Key points:
The new bans affect a total of more than 30 professions, spanning transport, hospitality, quality control, technical roles, IT, and sales
The phased implementation allows businesses and non-Omani employees time to plan for transition or localization in these sectors.
Existing permits can run until their expiry; however, no new permits or renewals for the affected professions will be granted to expatriate workers once each restriction takes effect.
Employers must carefully review their expatriate workforce and plan ahead, as failure to comply will lead to non-renewal of work permits in banned professions. The resolution is legally binding and has been published in Oman's Official Gazette.
Additional previous bans, covering construction workers, cleaners, drivers, and other semi- and unskilled occupations, remain in effect as part of Oman's robust workforce nationalisation framework.
Oman's latest update to its prohibited professions list underlines the government's ongoing drive to nationalize its workforce and ensure that Omanis benefit from opportunities in high-value, technical, and emerging sectors. The expansion affects a broad range of jobs across industries, with strict timelines and regulatory compliance required for all employers operating in the Sultanate.
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