Oman reverses work permit policy for expatriates over 60

Oman has implemented a policy reversal regarding work permits for expatriate workers over the age of 60. According to reports, the Ministry of Labour has stopped issuing and renewing permits for foreign employees in this age group, effectively undoing a 2022 policy that had removed the age ceiling to allow companies to retain experienced staff.

This change has reportedly caused uncertainty for long-serving expatriates who expected to continue their employment. While the Ministry of Labour's website still lists renewal services for non-Omani workers, it does not currently specify a public age threshold for these permits.

In related administrative data, the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) reported that Oman issued and renewed 527,830 driving licences in 2025, a 5.4 percent increase from the previous year. Expatriates accounted for the majority of this activity, receiving 300,112 licences compared to 227,718 issued to Omani citizens.