Before hiring a domestic worker in Oman, every employer wants to know: "What will the total cost be?" This guide provides a complete transparent breakdown of all fees in Rial Omani (RO) for 2026 — from work permit to agency fees, visa to ongoing monthly costs.
💰 Quick Total Cost Summary by Nationality
| 🇵🇭 Filipino Worker | RO 791–1,291 |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesian Worker | RO 721–1,181 |
| 🇱🇰 Sri Lankan Worker | RO 701–1,101 |
| 🇮🇳 Indian Worker | RO 651–1,051 |
| 🇪🇹 Ethiopian Worker | RO 661–1,111 |
| 🇧🇩 Bangladeshi Worker | RO 651–1,051 |
📊 Government Fees Breakdown 2026
| Government Fee | Amount (RO) |
|---|---|
| Work permit (MOL) — domestic worker | RO 201 |
| Domestic worker visa (ROP) | RO 5–20 |
| Residence card — 2 years | RO 20–40 |
| Residence card renewal (2 years) | RO 20–40 |
| Medical examination (Oman) | RO 20–30 |
| Total Government Fees | RO 266–331 |
📊 Agency & Other Costs by Nationality
| Nationality | Agency Fee (RO) | Air Ticket (RO) | Medical+Insurance (RO) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇵🇭 Filipino | 400–700 | 100–200 | 70–150 |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesian | 350–650 | 100–180 | 70–150 |
| 🇱🇰 Sri Lankan | 350–600 | 80–150 | 70–150 |
| 🇮🇳 Indian | 300–550 | 60–130 | 70–150 |
| 🇪🇹 Ethiopian | 300–600 | 90–160 | 70–150 |
| 🇧🇩 Bangladeshi | 300–550 | 80–150 | 70–150 |
💰 Monthly Ongoing Costs After Hiring
| Ongoing Cost | Monthly (RO) |
|---|---|
| Worker salary | RO 80–150 |
| Food / meals | RO 30–60 |
| Health insurance (pro-rated) | RO 4–10 |
| Mobile allowance (optional) | RO 5–10 |
| Estimated Monthly Total | RO 119–230 |
💡 How to Reduce Costs in Oman
- ✅ Local transfer saves RO 300–600 vs international recruitment
- ✅ Choose 2-year residence card upfront (cheaper than two 1-year renewals)
- ✅ Compare multiple agencies before committing
- ✅ Bangladeshi and Indian workers typically have lower agency fees
- ✅ Salalah-based agencies may offer competitive packages for Dhofar families
⚠️ Delay Fine — Important!
Under Ministerial Decision 602/2025 (effective October 2025): Employers who fail to rectify a worker's status on time face fines of RO 15/month (natural persons) or RO 20/month (legal entities), capped at RO 500 per worker. Renew permits on time to avoid these fines.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the MOL work permit exactly RO 201?
The RO 201 fee is set by MOL's official fee schedule for domestic worker work permits. It covers MLSD administrative costs and is paid at the bank counter after permit approval.
Are there discounts on the RO 201 fee?
Under Ministerial Decision 602/2025, fees are reduced by 30% for employers who comply with Omanisation percentages. For domestic employers (private individuals), standard fees apply.
What is the cheapest nationality to hire in Oman?
Bangladeshi and Indian domestic workers typically have the lowest total hiring costs (RO 651–1,051) due to lower agency fees and shorter air travel distances to Oman.
Does the RO 201 fee change at permit renewal?
Yes — the work permit must be renewed every 2 years and the fee applies at each renewal. Always check the current MOL fee schedule as fees can be updated.
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📌 Source: Ministerial Decision 602/2025 — Oman MOL — Updated 2026. Always verify at mol.gov.om