Expatriate visa ban in Oman extended for another 6 months

The Omanisation drive continues as the Ministry of Manpower have announced the extension of visa ban in 87 job sectors that are now reserved for Omanis only.

According to Article 1 of Decree No. 73/2019, “All permits to hire non-Omani workers will be suspended temporarily in private sector occupations for a period of six months.”

However, the decision will not affect the existing visa-holders in these professions, the statement added.

The professions to which foreign workers cannot be hired include information and technology, media, finance, sales and marketing, administration, human resources, architecture, engineering and aviation sectors.

The statement said establishments registered with the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Riyada) are exempted from the ban.

According to an official at the ministry, the decision was aimed at reducing the number of foreign workers in the country.

Here’s the full list of professions that have been impacted by the decision:

Information and Technology

1. Information Security Specialist

2. Geographic Information System Specialist

3. Electronic Computer Networks

4. Programmed Machines Maintenance – Electronic

5. Electronic Calculator Maintenance

6. Graphic Designer

7. Electronic Surveillance – Equipment Assembly

8. Electronics Technician – Telecom

9. Electronics Technician – Control Instrument

10. Electronic Technician – Medical Equipment

11. Electronics Technician Broadcast

12. Electronic Technician – Programmed Machines

13. Electronic Technician – Computer Networks

14. Computer Programmer

15. Computer Engineer

16. Computer operator

Accounting and Finance

1. Bank Notes and Money changer

2. Bank notes technician

3. Account Auditing technician

4. General accounting technician

5. Cost account technician

6. Costs accountant

7. Insurance collector

Marketing and Sales

1. Sales specialist

2. Storekeeper

3. Commercial agent

4. Commercial manager

5. Procurement logistics specialist

Administration and Human Resources

1. Business Administration Specialist

2. Public Relation Specialist

3. Human Resources Specialist

4. Administrative Director

Insurance

1. Insurance Agent General

2. Real Estate Insurance Agent

3. Cargo Insurance Agent

4. Life Insurance Agent

5. Vehicle Insurance Agent

6. Factory Insurance Agent

Information/Media Professions

1. Media Specialist

2. Page Maker

3. Paper Pulp Machine Operator

4. Bookbinding Machine Operator

5. Decorative Books Operator of

6. Calendar Operator

7. Paper Dyeing Machine Operators

8. Bill Printing Machine Operator

9. Cylinder Press Operator

10. Rotating Press Operator

11. Offset Printing Machine Operator

12. Color Press Operator

13. Palnographic Press Operator

14. Paper Folder Machine Operator

15. Paper Coating Machine Operator

16. Advertising Agent

Medical Professions

1. Male Nurse

2. Pharmacist Assistant

3. Medical Coordinator

Airport Professions

1. Aviation Guiding Officer

2. Ground Steward

3. Ticket controller

4. Airplane takeoff Supervisor

5. Air traffic controller

6. Aircraft Landing supervisor

7. Passenger Transport supervisor

8. Land Guide

Engineering Professions

1. Architect

2. General Survey Engineer

3. Civil Engineer

4. Electronic Engineer

5. Electronics Engineer

6. Mechanical Engineer

7. Projects Engineers

Technical Professions

1. Building Technician/Building Controller

2. Electronic Technician

3. Road Technician/Road Controller

4. Mechanical Technician

5. Soil Mechanics Laboratory Technician

6. Steam Turbine Technician

7. Construction materials lab technician

8. Gas Network Extension Technician

9. Construction Technician

10. Transformer Technician

11. Station Technician

12. Electrical Technician

13. Heat Operations Technician

14. Maintenance Technician

15. Chemical Technician