On September 5, 2026, the Oman Ministry of Labour introduced a new online self-service facility on its e-services portal allowing private-sector establishments to temporarily transfer non-Omani workers to another private-sector establishment. This regulated arrangement, which is not a permanent sponsorship transfer, is designed for projects, seasonal demands, maintenance contracts, or short-term manpower requirements. The system involves three parties: the current employer, the worker, and the receiving establishment. As of May 2026, there are 526,496 Indian nationals on work visas in Oman, making this facility particularly relevant for Indian technicians, engineers, maintenance staff, and project workers.
The service, titled 'Temporary Transfer of Non-Omani Workforce between Private Sector Establishments,' is free of charge.
The process initiates with the current employer submitting a request via the e-services portal. The request must be approved by the current employer and subsequently by the worker, who has the right to accept or reject the transfer. If a change in profession is proposed, the request may be reviewed by the Ministry’s Directorate General of Labour Care. Under Ministerial Decision 730/2024, workers generally must have completed at least six months with their original employer and possess a valid work permit to be eligible.
Protective conditions mandate that the receiving establishment must maintain or exceed the worker's original salary, benefits, and employment conditions. Salary payments must be processed through the Wage Protection System. The transfer is strictly temporary; once the approved period concludes, the worker must return to the original employer unless a separate permanent transfer process is completed. The regulation also prevents transferring workers into roles reserved for Omani nationals under Omanisation policies.
Workers are advised to verify all terms, including duration, location, profession, salary, allowances, and return dates, before approving any requests. Official portal approvals are required, as verbal instructions or informal arrangements hold no legal standing. Requests can be cancelled before the effective start date through the employer portal. For disputes or assistance, workers may contact the Ministry of Labour call centre at 80077000. Indian nationals may also reach out to the Embassy of India, Muscat, via its toll-free number 80071234, community welfare numbers 79964455 and 97256983, or the domestic-worker WhatsApp line at 79173615.
