Oman’s Ministry of Manpower has announced the reduction in expatriate hiring and renewal fees for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country.
Issuing or renewing a work permit for an expat will now cost OMR 301, while SMEs need to pay OMR141 each to recruit one to three domestic workers or those of a similar skill set under the new regulations. The Ministry of Manpower regulations also specify that on the hiring of fourth domestic or similarly skilled worker the price will go up to OMR241.
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The recruitment of up to three farmers and/or animal breeders will be priced at OMR201 while a fourth farmer and those beyond that number will cost OMR301.
The procedures for changing a worker’s information and that of switching employers will cost OMR5 each.
The new costs will replace Article 2 of Ministerial Resolution No. 340/2016.
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As per the new regulations, the SME looking to benefit from these reduced fees must be owned by an employer with a Riyada card and also be registered with the SME Development Authority as well as Public Authority for Social Insurance (PASI) with the exemption of retirees owning SMEs.
An owner may use these benefits for only one of the SMEs and in case of application between six and 10 licenses for foreign workers at least one Omani must be employed at the company. (AW)
