Omani visa resources
Sponsorship and Omanisation in Oman
Most long-stay visas require an Omani sponsor, and employer hiring of foreign workers is governed by Omanisation and Ministry of Labour clearance.
Important
Oman operates a sponsorship (kafala) system: employment, family, student and domestic-worker visas are tied to a sponsor inside Oman who takes legal responsibility for the visa holder. For employment, the sponsor must be a registered Omani employer holding a valid commercial registration and a labour clearance from the Ministry of Labour.
The Ministry of Labour's clearance depends on the employer's Omanisation compliance – the policy of reserving a share of jobs for Omani nationals – and on the specific role. Under labour-law reforms (Royal Decree 53/2023), workers may change employer after one year of service subject to Ministry of Labour notification, easing the previous strict tie to a single sponsor.
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.