Oman: New Rules Foreign Worker Transfer Rules

The Ministry of Labour (MOL) has introduced new regulations governing the temporary transfer of foreign workers between private sector establishments. Previously, Oman did not have any rules regarding such transfers. Key new rules include, among others:

• Employees cannot be transferred to a profession subject to Omanization;
• The new role must fall within the same professional category and align with the worker’s original role;
• The employee must have completed at least six months with their current employer prior to any such transfer;
• The employee’s work permit must have at least six months validity;
• Transfers cannot exceed six months per worker per year;
• A business cannot transfer or receive more than 50% of its registered workforce; and
• The new employer must pay a salary that is at least equal to the foreign national’s pre-transfer salary and retain the same benefits; and
• If a transferred employee leaves the receiving employer, the receiving employer must immediately notify the original employer. The original employer is then responsible for filing a notice of work abandonment with the MOL.