Oman’s Ministry of Labour has announced a grace period allowing workers in the energy and minerals sector to continue working without a professional practice licence or classification certificate until June 1st, 2026. The decision follows the rollout of new professional licensing rules tied to work permit issuance and renewal.
The grace period is intended to prevent work disruptions as Oman implements the new licensing structure. TravelBiz cites that the Ministry stated that while workers may continue working during this period, all affected employees must obtain the required licence or certificate before the deadline, after which compliance will be mandatory. The licensing requirement was introduced in September 2025.
Under the new rules, workers in designated professions must hold either a professional practice licence or a classification certificate to receive a new work permit or renew an existing one. These requirements apply across multiple sectors, including energy, minerals, logistics, and accounting, finance and auditing.
The Ministry linked the new requirement to professional standards, with the licences and certificates serving as official confirmation of skills, experience, and qualifications. However, uncertainty around application procedures raised concerns among employers and workers, particularly about potential delays in work permits and staffing shortages in technical roles.
Grace period limited to energy and minerals
The Ministry clarified that the grace period applies only to workers employed in the energy and minerals sector. During the grace period, new work permits may be issued and existing permits renewed even if the worker does not yet hold the required licence or certificate.
Employees in covered roles may continue working until June 1st, 2026, but must complete the licensing process before that date. After the deadline, working without the required licence or certificate will no longer be permitted. Workers in other sectors are not covered by the extension and must comply with licensing rules immediately.
Roles covered under the extension
In the energy and minerals sector, the licensing requirement applies to 43 to 44 technical roles. These include crane operators, welders, electrical technicians, mechanical technicians, equipment operators, maintenance specialists, and other skilled workers involved in oil, gas, mining, and related industries.
Additional roles listed by the Ministry include HSE advisors, mobile and overhead crane operators, forklift and excavator operators, lifting supervisors, riggers, mud testers, machinists, CNC machinists, structural steelworkers, building maintenance technicians, and drilling crew roles such as roustabouts, floormen, derrickmen, and assistant drillers.
These positions fall under the professional licensing rule and benefit from the grace period until June 2026.
Separate rules for other sectors
The Ministry has also introduced licensing requirements for certain logistics roles. These include refrigerated truck drivers, water tanker drivers, waste transport drivers, tractor-trailer drivers, and food delivery supervisors.
In logistics, a professional practice licence issued by the Sector Skills Unit for the Logistics Sector is required before work permits can be issued or renewed. For accounting, finance, and auditing professions, workers must obtain an approved certificate from the Sector Skills Unit for Accounting, Finance and Auditing.
This certification is now a condition for issuing or renewing work permits in those roles. Employers urged to prepare The Ministry advised employers to identify workers affected by the licensing rules, monitor official updates, and plan ahead for permit renewals.
Workers are encouraged to begin the licensing process early to avoid delays closer to the June 2026 deadline. The Ministry confirmed that the grace period is temporary and that professional licensing will be fully enforced once the extension ends.
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