Oman Job Boards in 2026: Where to Search, Omanisation Rules and Changing Employers
Job hunting in Oman depends on your nationality. Omani citizens apply through the government's employment services and benefit from a growing list of jobs reserved for nationals. Expatriates compete for specialist, technical and senior roles through LinkedIn, regional job boards and the career sites
Oman Job Boards in 2026: Where to Search, Omanisation Rules and Changing Employers
By AIResume Editorial Team
Last updated: 6 October 2026
Job hunting in Oman depends on your nationality. Omani citizens apply through the government's employment services and benefit from a growing list of jobs reserved for nationals. Expatriates compete for specialist, technical and senior roles through LinkedIn, regional job boards and the career sites of large employers. In the energy sector, most hiring runs through one portal, PetroJobs.
This guide covers where to search and the rules that shape hiring in 2026. For applications in other Gulf markets, see our guides to job boards in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Oman job search in one table
| Channel | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Ministry of Labour private-sector jobs (gov.om) | Omani nationals | Official service; log in with your national digital ID |
| Ministry of Labour | Government vacancies and labour services | Public sector posts require Omani citizenship |
| PetroJobs | Oil and gas: PDO, OQ and their contractors | The main entry point for energy-sector vacancies and graduate programmes |
| Corporate, executive and technology roles | Strong for multinationals and large Omani companies | |
| Bayt and GulfTalent | Mid-level and management roles | Regional boards covering the whole Gulf |
| Naukrigulf and Indeed Oman | Technical, operational and entry-level roles | High volume; check each employer |
| Employer career sites | Direct applications to large employers | See the list below |
| Recruitment agencies (for example MENA HR Solutions, Muscat) | Contract staffing and executive search | Agencies must not charge candidates |
Career sites of large employers: OQ (energy and petrochemicals), Omantel (telecommunications), Oman Air (aviation) and Bank Muscat (banking). Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) recruits through PetroJobs.
The practical rule: Omanis should register with the Ministry of Labour services and PetroJobs first. Expatriates should focus on LinkedIn, Bayt and GulfTalent, and check that the role is not reserved for Omanis.
Omanisation: jobs reserved for Omanis
Omanisation is the policy of increasing the share of Omani citizens in private-sector jobs. Ministerial Decision 235/2022 reserved a long list of occupations for Omanis, including many administrative, HR and driving roles. Ministerial Decision 501/2024, published on 1 September 2024, added more roles in four phases:
| From | Roles added to the reserved list (examples) |
|---|---|
| 2 September 2024 | Marketing specialists, travel agents, quality and quality-control managers, mechanical technicians |
| 1 January 2025 | Systems analysts, network specialists, marine and ship-traffic controllers, computer maintenance technicians |
| 1 January 2026 | Computer programmers, computer engineers and computer operators |
| 1 January 2027 | Website designers and operations analysts |
What this means for expatriates: many IT, sales and administrative jobs are now closed to new foreign hires. Target specialist engineering, healthcare, senior management and other roles that remain open, and check the job title against the current list on the Ministry of Labour website before applying.
Employers also face higher work permit fees when they miss their Omanisation targets, so companies that are short of Omani staff may be cautious about new expatriate hires.
Pay and working conditions
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| Minimum wage for Omanis | OMR 325 a month in the private sector (OMR 225 basic salary plus OMR 100 allowances), under Ministerial Decision 222/2013 |
| Minimum wage for expatriates | No general statutory minimum; pay is set by contract |
| Working hours | Up to 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week under the Labour Law (Royal Decree 53/2023) |
| Annual leave | 30 days a year |
| Salary payment | Through the Wage Protection System, into a bank account |
The Labour Law of 2023 (Royal Decree 53/2023) replaced the 2003 law and also introduced paternity leave and longer maternity leave.
Expatriates: work visa and changing employers
- Work licence. The employer obtains a work licence for the role from the Ministry of Labour. The role must not be on the reserved list.
- Contract. The employer registers your employment contract with the Ministry.
- Employment visa. The employer applies to the Royal Oman Police for your employment visa.
- After arrival. You complete a medical test and biometrics, then receive your resident card.
Recruitment, visa and work permit costs must be paid by the employer, not by you.
Changing employers: Oman no longer requires a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your current employer when your contract has ended or both sides agree to end it. The new employer needs a valid work licence for the role, and the role must not be reserved for Omanis.
Avoiding recruitment scams
Warning signs:
- Any fee for a visa, document attestation, interview or medical booking. Employers must cover recruitment costs.
- Free email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook) instead of a company domain.
- Recruitment only through WhatsApp or other messaging apps, with no proper interview.
- Unrealistic salaries for roles that need no experience.
- Offer letters with wrong logos or addresses, or a commercial registration number that does not check out.
Energy-sector vacancies with PDO, OQ and their main contractors are listed on PetroJobs. Ignore recruitment links for these companies circulated on social media.
FAQ
What is the minimum wage in Oman in 2026?
For Omani nationals in the private sector, OMR 325 a month (OMR 225 basic plus OMR 100 allowances), under Ministerial Decision 222/2013. There is no general statutory minimum wage for expatriates.
Which jobs are reserved for Omanis?
A long list under Ministerial Decision 235/2022, extended by Ministerial Decision 501/2024. Since 1 January 2026 it includes computer programmers, computer engineers and computer operators. Website designers and operations analysts follow on 1 January 2027.
Do I need an NOC to change jobs in Oman?
No. Oman no longer requires an NOC when your contract has ended or is ended by agreement. Your new employer needs a work licence for the role.
Where are oil and gas jobs in Oman advertised?
On PetroJobs (petrojobs.om), used by PDO, OQ and their main contractors.
Who pays for the work visa?
The employer. Recruitment, visa and work permit costs must not be charged to the worker.
How to use AIResume
Keep one master CV in AIResume and create an Oman version that matches the job title in the advert. If you are comparing Gulf markets, see our guide to job boards in the United Arab Emirates.
Sources
- EY, Oman implements new restrictions on professions available to foreign nationals (September 2024) — ey.com
- KPMG, Oman Ministry of Labour increases restrictions on professions for expatriates (October 2024) — kpmg.com
- Gulf News, Minimum wage in private sector for Omanis raised — gulfnews.com
- Ministry of Labour, Oman — mol.gov.om
- Government of Oman, Apply for private sector job opportunities — gov.om