In Oman, hiring a domestic worker needs an official work permit from the Ministry of Labour (MOL), with the visa and residence handled by the Royal Oman Police. This is the complete, plain-English guide to all of it - issuing a new visa, renewing, cancelling and transferring a worker to a new employer - with the exact steps, documents, fees in OMR and timelines under the latest rules (Ministerial Decision 602/2025). Prefer to skip the paperwork? Our team can connect you with a verified MOL-licensed office and guide you through every step - that option is at the end.
| 🏛️ Authority | Ministry of Labour (MOL) - mol.gov.om · visa & residence via Royal Oman Police |
| 📋 Latest rule | Ministerial Decision 602/2025 (Oct 2025) |
| 💰 Work-permit fee | RO 201 · permit valid 24 months |
| 💵 Income required | Female worker RO 500/mo · Male worker RO 1,000/mo (minimum) |
| 🔁 Transactions | Issue · Renew · Cancel · Transfer · Absconding report |
| 📞 Help | SANAD +968 24 815685 · or message Nadia on WhatsApp |
🧾 What you can do through the Ministry of Labour
The MOL (with the Royal Oman Police) handles the full life-cycle of a housemaid, nanny, cook, driver or caregiver in Oman:
- Issue a new domestic-worker work permit and visa.
- Renew the permit and residence before they expire.
- Cancel the permit when the worker leaves or the contract ends.
- Transfer a worker to a new employer in Oman - no need to send them home.
- Report absconding, complete the medical and sign the MOL contract.
Most steps go through an MOL-accredited SANAD typing office and the Royal Oman Police - here is the order.
🔐 Before you start - who can sponsor
1. You meet the income rule. Under Decision 602/2025 you generally need a minimum monthly income of RO 500 to sponsor a female worker or RO 1,000 for a male worker.
2. Marriage & eligibility. A valid marriage certificate is required for most household permits, and single men generally cannot sponsor a female domestic worker. Expatriate employers also need valid Oman residency and an employer NOC. Special elderly/disabled-care permits have their own category.
📋 Documents you’ll need
- Valid Omani ID or Oman residency
- Marriage certificate
- Income / salary proof
- Employer NOC (expatriates)
- Passport (copy), valid several months
- Medical-fitness certificate
- MOL standard employment contract
- Passport photos
Approved source countries (2026): Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Bangladesh, Nepal and Ghana. Verify the current bilateral status with MOL, as approved countries can change.
🆕 How to issue a NEW domestic worker visa
This is the full path from zero to a worker legally living and working in your home in Oman.
Get the Special Labourer Application form from an MOL-accredited SANAD typing office (call SANAD +968 24 815685 for the nearest).
The typing office fills in your details and prints the form for a small fee.
Your authorised representative submits the application with the supporting documents.
MOL verifies the documents and approves the labour clearance / work permit.
Pay the work-permit fee at the designated bank counter.
Collect the stamped permit, then apply for the worker’s entry visa through the Royal Oman Police.
The worker enters Oman and completes the medical-fitness test.
Finalise the worker’s residence card with the Royal Oman Police so they are fully documented.
⚠️ Common slip-ups: no marriage certificate, a single male employer applying for a female worker, or income below the RO 500 / RO 1,000 threshold. Check eligibility first.
🔄 How to renew the permit & residence
The permit is valid 24 months. Renew before it expires to avoid fines.
Begin the renewal before the expiry date through the Ministry of Labour.
Provide the current permit, a valid passport copy and any updated eligibility documents.
Pay the MOL renewal fee (and any labour-clearance charges).
Renew the worker’s residence card with the Royal Oman Police and keep insurance valid.
⚠️ Fees and steps change with new ministerial decisions - confirm the current amount with SANAD (+968 24 815685) before paying.
❌ How to cancel the permit
Cancel when the worker leaves Oman, transfers to a new employer, or the contract ends. If a worker leaves without cancellation, you stay legally responsible - so cancel promptly.
Pay the final salary, end-of-service entitlement and any owed amounts.
Apply to cancel the labour permit through the Ministry of Labour.
Cancel the residence card with the Royal Oman Police and arrange the worker’s exit if they are leaving.
Save the cancellation so you are no longer the sponsor on record.
↔️ How to transfer a worker to a new employer
A worker can move to a new employer inside Oman without going home, when everyone agrees.
Settle salary, hours, rest days and accommodation.
The existing sponsor provides a written consent/release for the transfer.
Apply at MOL (or mol.gov.om) for a new work permit under your name.
Complete the standard MOL domestic-employment contract with the worker.
Submit the current permit, the release letter, the new contract and your eligibility documents to MOL.
After MOL approval, update the worker’s residence card to your sponsorship through the Royal Oman Police.
💡 Full detail: Transferring a worker in Oman →
🚨 Other transactions you can do here
If a worker leaves without notice, file the official report to protect yourself. Absconding report guide →
The visa and residence side in depth. Housemaid visa (MOL & ROP) →
💰 Fees & timeline at a glance (2026)
| Item | Cost (OMR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MOL work permit | RO 201 | Per Decision 602/2025 |
| Permit validity | - | 24 months (renewable) |
| Income required (female worker) | RO 500 / month | Minimum |
| Income required (male worker) | RO 1,000 / month | Minimum |
| Medical + residence card | Varies (ROP) | Plus health insurance |
| Recruitment-office package | Varies by nationality | Extra |
Figures follow Ministerial Decision 602/2025 and may change. Confirm with SANAD (+968 24 815685) or your accredited office before paying.
💬 Don’t want to deal with it? Let our team help
Recruitment in Oman runs through a licensed office and an accredited SANAD typing office - so tell our assistant Nadia on WhatsApp what you need (issue, renew, cancel or transfer) and we’ll connect you with a verified MOL-licensed office and guide you through the MOL and Royal Oman Police steps end-to-end. You only approve your own steps and pay the official fees - we never ask for your password or hold your money.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a domestic worker permit cost in Oman?
The MOL work-permit fee is RO 201 under Decision 602/2025, plus the visa, residence card, medical and insurance, and the recruitment-office package which varies by nationality.
What income do I need to sponsor a worker?
Generally RO 500 per month to sponsor a female domestic worker and RO 1,000 for a male worker, plus a valid marriage certificate for most household permits.
Can a single man hire a maid in Oman?
Generally no - single men cannot usually sponsor a female domestic worker; a marriage certificate is required for most household permits.
Where do I apply?
Through an MOL-accredited SANAD typing office and the Ministry of Labour (mol.gov.om), with the visa and residence via the Royal Oman Police.
How do I renew?
Renew the permit through MOL before it expires and renew the residence card with the Royal Oman Police.
How do I cancel?
Settle dues, cancel the MOL permit, cancel the residence with the Royal Oman Police, and arrange the worker’s exit if they are leaving.
Can I transfer my worker to a new employer?
Yes - with a release from the current employer, the new employer applies for a new permit and updates the residence card via the Royal Oman Police.
Can someone do it for me?
Yes. Message Nadia and we’ll connect you with a verified MOL-licensed office and guide you through every step. You approve your own steps and pay the official fees - nothing else.
📚 Related Oman guides
- Housemaid visa (MOL & ROP)
- Transferring a worker
- Reporting absconding
- Domestic worker rights in Oman
- Verify an MOL-licensed office
🌐 Hiring in another Gulf country? See the complete GCC domestic worker visa guide - all six countries compared.
