Oman Work Visa for Pakistani 2026: Open or Not?

Quick answer: There is no official announcement that a blanket restriction has been lifted. Oman's Ministry of Labour has brought its special work permit service online for domestic, farm and similar jobs, and on 6 October 2026 Oman's agriculture minister agreed to consider Punjab's request to ease curbs on skilled workers. Employers still file every permit.

Key takeaways

Oman's Ministry of Labour now lets employers apply online for special work permits covering domestic workers, drivers, nannies, gardeners, home nurses, farm workers and artisanal fishermen.
Reported processing time is one to 10 days when the file is complete, and the permit fee for most household roles is RO101 for up to three workers.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif asked Oman on 6 October 2026 to ease restrictions on skilled workers from Punjab, but no final Omani decision had been published at the time of writing.
Work permits are issued to the Omani employer, who files the application; visa requirements through the Royal Oman Police follow after approval.
Use only the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BE&OE), the Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) or licensed overseas employment promoters, and never pay for a 'guaranteed' visa.

Last updated: 10 October 2026

The Oman work visa for Pakistani job seekers is back in the news after two separate developments: Oman has brought a special work permit service online, as Pakistan Observer reported on 10 October 2026, and Punjab's chief minister asked Omani officials in Muscat to relax curbs on skilled workers from the province. Neither step is a formal announcement that all visa categories are open to Pakistanis. Below is what has actually changed, who it helps, and how a genuine Oman job offer works in practice.

Is the Oman work visa for Pakistani workers open in 2026?

Partly. Oman's standard employer-led work permit system remains in place, but no published Omani decision lifting the wider restrictions raised by Pakistani officials had appeared by 10 October 2026.

On 6 October 2026, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met Oman's Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, Saud bin Hamoud bin Ahmed Al Habsi, in Muscat. According to the Punjab government handout quoted by ARY News, she proposed lifting restrictions on the arrival of skilled workers from Punjab and the minister agreed to consider the proposal. The Express Tribune reported the same meeting as the minister agreeing to the proposal. Pakistan Observer noted on 10 October that the relaxation "has not yet been finalised".

The practical reading for job seekers: the door has been pushed, not flung open. Treat any agent who claims Oman has "opened visas for everyone" with caution until an official notice appears.

What has Oman changed for foreign workers?

Oman's Ministry of Labour has made its special work permit service available online, so eligible Omani employers and households can now apply electronically through the ministry's portal or at Sanad service centres. Pakistan Observer gives the service's Arabic name as Tasareeh Muzawala Al-Amal Al-Khassa.

Under the online service, the employer can:

state the number of workers, their occupations and their place of work;
upload supporting papers, which may include salary certificates, bank statements or proof of owning a home or farmland;
pay the fee after the ministry approves the application.

Pakistan Observer reports that a complete file can be decided in one to 10 days. The service also handles amendments and some replacement-worker requests.

Which jobs are covered by the new Oman work permit service?

The online service is aimed mainly at household and rural work rather than office jobs. The categories reported include:

housekeepers and domestic workers;
nannies and childcare workers;
private drivers;
gardeners and residential building guards;
private nurses and home healthcare assistants;
agricultural workers, camel and livestock breeders and horse-related roles;
artisanal (craft) fishermen.

Corporate and company jobs still follow Oman's separate standard work permit process, so this change does not by itself create new white-collar openings.

Separately, the Omani minister told Maryam Nawaz that skilled workers from the province would be welcome in construction, aquaculture and agriculture, and that Oman would share its skills requirements with Punjab.

How much does an Oman work permit cost?

The employer pays the work permit fee in Omani rials (RO), and the amount depends on the job category and how many workers are hired. Ministerial Resolution 602/2025, as published by the Oman Observer, sets these fees:

Domestic workers, nannies, private drivers, gardeners, home health aides and private nurses: RO101 for up to three workers; RO141 for four or more.
Agricultural workers, camel breeders, horse grooms, livestock breeders and residential building workers: RO141 for up to three workers; RO241 for four or more.
Sailor, ship mechanic or ship electrician: RO201.
Classified professions: RO301 (first class), RO251 (second class) and RO201 (third class).

Pakistan Observer puts the fee for artisanal fishing permits at a flat RO201. The same resolution says a work permit is valid for 24 months and is non-renewable (the separate work practice permit can be renewed), and it provides a 30 per cent fee cut for employers that meet Omanisation rates and double fees for those that do not.

For domestic staff, the government portal Gov.om lists a further visa fee of 20 (Omani rials) once the work permit is in hand. These are employer costs, so be wary of any agent who asks you to cover them.

How does a Pakistani worker get an Oman work visa?

The worker does not apply directly. An Omani employer obtains the work permit first, and the visa follows. The usual sequence looks like this:

Secure a real job offer from an Omani employer, either directly or through a licensed overseas employment promoter in Pakistan.
The employer applies for the work permit with the Ministry of Labour and pays the fee after approval.
Visa stage: the employer then completes visa formalities with the Royal Oman Police. For domestic workers, Gov.om asks for a passport copy, digital photo, the work permit and a medical examination copy.
Protector stage in Pakistan: register the job with the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BE&OE) and complete the Protector of Emigrants process before you fly.

Gov.om's domestic worker visa conditions include a minimum age of 21, a passport valid for at least six months and no other valid Omani visa. Residence is valid for up to two years and can be renewed.

Who benefits most from these changes?

The clearest winners are Pakistani workers already offered household, driving, caregiving, farm or fishing jobs, because faster online processing is likely to cut waiting time for the employer. Skilled tradespeople from Punjab in construction and farming could gain later if the requested easing is approved.

How to avoid Oman visa scams

Every news cycle about Gulf visas brings a wave of fake offers. Keep these rules in mind:

Genuine employers and licensed promoters do not sell "guaranteed" visas. Never pay money into a personal bank account or a JazzCash or Easypaisa wallet for a job promise.
Go abroad only through the BE&OE, the Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) or an overseas employment promoter licensed by the BE&OE, and ask to see the licence number.
Ask for the employer's name and a written offer, and check that the job title matches the permit category.
Do not travel on a visit visa expecting to switch to work later unless the employer has confirmed the process in writing.

What this means for you

If you already have an Omani employer, ask them to use the online special permit route where your job qualifies; decisions can come within days. If you are still looking, focus on skills Oman says it needs, such as construction, farming and aquaculture, and keep checking official BE&OE and Omani Ministry of Labour updates rather than social media rumours. For other destinations, see our guide Poland Work Visa for Pakistani Workers: 2026 Guide and our report 66,815 Pakistanis Left for Jobs Abroad in July-August.

Frequently asked questions

Is Oman work visa open for Pakistani workers today?

Oman's employer-led work permit system remains in place, but no official Omani notice lifting wider restrictions on Pakistanis had been published by 10 October 2026. Oman has only agreed to consider Punjab's request to ease curbs on skilled workers.

Can I apply for an Oman work visa myself from Pakistan?

No. An Omani employer must apply for the work permit with the Ministry of Labour first. Once approved, the visa is processed through the Royal Oman Police, and you complete the BE&OE Protector process in Pakistan.

What is the Oman work visa fee for Pakistani domestic workers?

The employer pays RO101 for the work permit when hiring up to three domestic workers, drivers, nannies, gardeners or home nurses, and RO141 for four or more. Gov.om also lists a domestic worker visa fee of 20 (Omani rials).

How long does the new Oman work permit take?

Reports on the online special permit service say an application can be decided in one to 10 days when all required documents are complete. Incomplete files can take longer.

Which jobs are included in Oman's online special work permit?

It covers domestic workers, nannies, private drivers, gardeners, residential guards, private nurses, home healthcare assistants, farm and livestock workers, and artisanal fishermen. Company jobs follow a separate process.

How can I check whether an Oman job offer is genuine?

Ask for the employer's name and a written offer, and deal only with the BE&OE, the OEC or a BE&OE-licensed promoter. Never pay for a 'guaranteed' visa through a personal account or mobile wallet.

Sources

This article was compiled by Jobsiz from the sources listed above, with AI-assisted writing and automated fact-checking. Published 10 October 2026. We update stories when new verified information becomes available.

Oman Work Visa for Pakistani Workers 2026: Open or Not?