Switching jobs eased for expats without registered employment

At a glance

• Oman’s Ministry of Labour now allows expatriate workers to change employers if contracts are not registered within 30 days of permit renewal.
• Employers must file valid employment contracts in the official system within the specified timeframe or risk losing staff.
• The regulation applies to all categories of expatriate workers whose permits have been renewed.
• The Ministry has issued a warning to both private individuals and businesses about the consequences of non-compliance.
• The measure sets clear documentation standards and enhances worker mobility protections.

Oman’s Ministry of Labour has announced a new regulation that strengthens protections for expatriate workers. Under the new rule, foreign employees whose work contracts are not properly registered within 30 days of permit renewal will automatically gain the right to transfer to a different employer. The policy applies to all categories of expatriate workers in the Sultanate whose permits have been renewed.

The Ministry has issued a formal alert to all employers, both private individuals and business entities, warning of the consequences of renewing work permits without registering the corresponding employment contracts. This measure introduces a clear timeframe for contract registration and sets out specific guidelines on worker mobility when documentation requirements are not met.