Oman Ministry of Labour: the authority behind every legal maid hire

Oman's Ministry of Labour (MOL) licenses every legal recruitment office in the Sultanate and issues the work permit a family needs before a housemaid, nanny, cook or driver can be hired. The visa itself then comes from the Royal Oman Police. Here is how the two fit together — and how to stay on the legal path.

AT A GLANCE

Licenses and inspects domestic worker recruitment offices
Issues the domestic worker work permit (latest rules: Ministerial Decision 602/2025)
Successor to the Ministry of Manpower (Royal Decree 89/2020 restructuring)
Works alongside the Royal Oman Police (ROP), which issues the housemaid visa and residence card

Definition

The Ministry of Labour is Oman's labour-market regulator. For families, its two functions that matter are licensing the recruitment offices you deal with and issuing the work permit that must exist before any housemaid visa can be applied for. MOL was created in August 2020 when the former Ministry of Manpower was restructured (Royal Decree 89/2020) — many older guides still use the old name, but it is the same authority.

How a legal hire works — MOL permit, then ROP visa

Choose an MOL-licensed recruitment office and agree the candidate, nationality and terms.
The office obtains the MOL work permit in your name (the sponsor).
Apply for the housemaid visa through the Royal Oman Police — worker must be 21+, visa valid 2 years, renewable.
Worker completes the medical test (GAMCA/Wafid in her home country before travel), then flies in.
After arrival, the ROP issues the residence card; status can be checked any time via ROP e-services on rop.gov.om.

Costs and worker rights (2026)

One-time cost: roughly RO 650–1,300 by nationality (MOL permit + agency fee + visa + medical + insurance); Filipino workers RO 791–1,291.
Monthly salary: about OMR 100–150, paid on time — bank transfer recommended.
Hours and rest: 9–10 hour daily cap, one full rest day per week, 30 days annual leave after one year.
Employer provides: food, accommodation, medical care and the return ticket per contract.
The worker keeps her passport — retention is illegal.

How to verify a recruitment office

Ask for the MOL licence and match its name to your contract and invoice.
Red flags: cash-only, prices far below RO 650–1,300, "visit visa" offers, passport retention.
Every Omani agency on GCC Domestic is screened first — browse verified Oman offices.

Frequently asked questions

Who licenses maid recruitment offices in Oman?

The Ministry of Labour (MOL) licenses and supervises every legal domestic worker recruitment office in Oman. MOL took over these functions from the former Ministry of Manpower in the August 2020 restructuring (Royal Decree 89/2020) — older articles still use the old name. Hiring through an unlicensed channel is illegal.

How do I check a housemaid visa or residence status in Oman?

Visas and residence cards are issued by the Royal Oman Police (ROP), not MOL. Use the ROP website (rop.gov.om) e-services to check visa status and residence card validity with the worker's passport or residence details. The MOL work permit must exist before ROP will issue the housemaid visa.

What does it cost to hire a maid in Oman?

Roughly RO 650–1,300 upfront depending on nationality — covering the MOL work permit, agency fee, ROP visa, medical test and insurance (Filipino workers sit at the top of the range, RO 791–1,291). Monthly salaries run about OMR 100–150, and the employer provides food, accommodation and medical care.

What rights do domestic workers have in Oman?

MOL rules set minimum standards: salary paid on time monthly, a 9–10 hour daily cap, one full rest day per week, 30 days annual leave after one year, and medical care at the employer's expense. Workers keep their own passports — retention is illegal.

What is the difference between MOL and ROP in Oman?

MOL licenses recruitment offices and issues the domestic worker work permit — the first step of any hire. The Royal Oman Police (ROP) then issues the two-year housemaid visa (worker must be 21+) and the residence card after arrival. You need both, in that order.

How do I verify a recruitment office in Oman?

Ask for the office's MOL licence and match the name on it to the office you are paying. Red flags: cash-only payments, prices far below the RO 650–1,300 market range, visit-visa arrangements, or any office that suggests holding the worker's passport.