Oman and Bangladesh reached a formal agreement on 17 September 2026 to recruit 10,000 Bangladeshi workers. This deal includes 5,000 slots for the agricultural sector and 5,000 for the fisheries industry. This agreement marks the first significant, sector-specific opening of Oman’s labor market to Bangladesh following strict visa controls implemented in 2024.
- Deal confirmed by Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and Omani royal family member Al Sayyid Mohammed Salim Ali Al Said in Dhaka.
- Omani delegation to visit Bangladesh in October to finalize recruitment protocols, quotas, and medical and skill assessments.
- Visa restrictions for other job categories remain in effect as the arrangement is strictly limited to agriculture and fisheries.
The deal was confirmed by Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam following a meeting with Al Sayyid Mohammed Salim Ali Al Said, a member of Oman’s royal family, at the Foreign Ministry in Dhaka.
An Omani government delegation is scheduled to visit Bangladesh in October to finalize recruitment protocols, quotas, and necessary medical and skill assessments in coordination with the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment. While this agreement provides a path for 10,000 new arrivals, visa restrictions for other job categories remain in effect. The arrangement is strictly limited to agriculture and fisheries, and Bangladesh continues to lobby for the restoration of broader visa services that were suspended under the previous Dhaka administration. The influx is expected to impact labor markets in regions including Al Dhahirah, Al Batinah, and various coastal governorates.
For current employers, recruitment is restricted to official Omani channels.
Agricultural Association members, who previously operated under a 5,000-farmer quota requiring a RO 25 annual fee, valid Ministry of Labour permits, and hiyaza land documentation, are advised to monitor official portals for an October implementation circular. Expats currently working in the sector should anticipate potential changes in wage and housing dynamics in areas such as Ibri, Barka, and other coastal towns. Historical data indicates that while remittances from Oman to Bangladesh totaled approximately $1.63 billion in FY25, new labor migration had declined significantly from over 125,000 departures in 2023. Current labor updates in Oman also include the removal of the 60-year work-permit age cap and the introduction of sick-leave insurance for non-Omani workers as of July 2026.
