Oman has introduced a new professional accreditation system that requires foreign workers in regulated professions to verify their academic and professional credentials before entering the country. The policy is designed to regulate the labour market, prevent certificate fraud and improve workforce standards across key sectors, with authorities warning of strict penalties for violations.
Under the updated rules, entry permits for overseas workers are now linked to verified qualifications, meaning candidates must complete credential checks prior to arrival. Local media reports, cited by Gulf News, said the measures apply to regulated professions and are intended to ensure that only qualified individuals are allowed to practice in Oman.
Officials said the system connects work practice licences directly with authenticated academic and professional records and allows entry only after all approvals have been secured. Zaher bin Abdullah Al Sheikh, Director of the Department of Professional Standards at the Ministry of Labour, explained that the initiative strengthens oversight and quality control, particularly in regulated fields such as engineering, logistics and accounting.
The process requires applicants to have their qualifications assessed by accredited sectoral skills units before travelling. A work practice licence is issued only after successful verification, and entry permits are granted once the licence has been approved. Authorities said investigations have uncovered cases involving forged professional classification certificates and invalid work practice licences, stressing that such actions violate Omani law.
The ministry placed responsibility on both foreign workers and employers to ensure licences are obtained solely from authorised bodies and that all credentials are authentic. Penalties for non-compliance include financial fines, cancellation of licences, deportation and possible court action, while employers who facilitate or ignore violations may also face legal consequences.
