Oman bans work visas for expats in several professions

The Ministry of Labour has issued a decision to reserve a number of professions in the private sector, including finance and accounting professions for Omani nationals only.

Decision 8/2021 regulates the practice of some professions and activities, stipulating as follows:

1. Financial and administrative professions in insurance companies and companies operating in insurance brokerage activities.
2. The professions of selling, accounting, money exchange, administration and arranging goods in the shops operating in malls.
3. Account auditing professions in car agencies
4. All professions selling new and used vehicles.
5. All accounting professions in the activities of selling new and used vehicles in car agencies.
6. The activity of selling spare parts for new vehicles affiliated with cars agencies.

The second article of the decision states: “Non-Omani workforce licenses and work practice licenses issued for the professions and activities specified in Article One shall be valid until their expiry date.”

The ministry added: “The decision shall take effect 6 months after the date of publication of the decision on January 20, 2021.”