Oman Extends the Energy and Minerals Workers' License Deadline Up till June 2026
In order to allow personnel to continue without interruption while new regulations are being developed, Oman has extended the deadline for professional licenses in the energy and minerals industry to June 1, 2026.
There is some leeway if you work in Oman's mining or energy industries.
A grace period till June 1, 2026, has been established by Oman's Ministry of Labor. Even if they don't yet have the necessary professional license or classification certificate, employees can nevertheless work during this period.
This action is intended to prevent abrupt work stoppages during the implementation of new regulations. However, it also has an explicit deadline that neither employers nor employees should disregard.
What Has Changed and Why It Matters
Oman implemented new regulations for specific occupations in September 2025. According to these regulations, in order to obtain a new work permit or renew an existing one, employees must possess a professional practice license or a categorization certificate.
Energy, minerals, logistics, and finance-related disciplines are just a few of the industries where these regulations are applicable.
The issue is that the precise procedure for obtaining these licenses is still unclear. Concerns of delays, denied permissions, and labor shortages were brought up by this ambiguity.
Oman uses the grace period to keep things going while the system stabilizes.
Who Is Eligible for the June 2026 Grace Period?
The extension doesn't help everyone. Only employees in the mining and energy industries are eligible for the grace period. In actuality, that means the following:
Until June 1, 2026, new work permit applications may still be accepted without a license.
During this time, current employees are permitted to continue working without a license.
By the deadline, all impacted parties must receive the appropriate license or certificate.
Working without the necessary license will be prohibited after June 1, 2026.
The Grace Period's Covered Roles
The grace period is restricted to certain positions in the energy and minerals industries, while the licensing rule extends to numerous jobs.
Among the crucial roles are:
Operators of cranes
Welders
Electrical specialists
Technicians with mechanical skills
Operators of equipment
Experts in maintenance
Technical professionals with expertise in mining, oil, gas, and related fields
The grace period is not applicable if a role is located outside of energy and minerals.
What Is a Classification Certificate or Licence?
The purpose of the new licence or classification certificate requirement is to verify that an employee is appropriately qualified and trained for their position.
Depending on the position, employees need to acquire either:
A categorization certificate or a license to conduct professionally
These documents serve as official documentation of expertise, experience, and professional status and are provided by an appropriate Omani authority.
The license will become a necessary component of the work permit procedure, while the precise procedures are still being worked out.
The Licensing Rules' Impact on Roles
Not all jobs in Oman require a license. It is connected to certain occupations within each industry that the Ministry has mentioned.The
Roles of Minerals and Energy
43–44 technical positions are covered in the mining and energy industries. These include numerous front-line positions in the heavy industry and oil and gas, like:The
HSE consultant
Operator of a mobile crane
operator of an overhead crane
operator of a forklift
MEWP (mobile elevating work platform) operator and excavator operator
Marshal for vehicles
Supervisor of lifting and rigger/slinger
A mud tester
Welding operator and manual welder
Mechanical technician and craftsman
Electrical technician and craftsman
Instrument technician and craftsman
CNC machinist and machine operator
Production assembler, craftsman, fitter, and facilities maintenance technician
Technician for building maintenance
Sheet metal workers, plate workers, and structural steel workers
Driller, assistant driller, floorman, derrickman, roustabout, and tool pusher
Pipe and tube fabricator, pipe and fitting assembling technician, and fitting and assembly technician These are the kinds of jobs that are now covered by the energy and minerals industry's professional license rule and are eligible for the June 2026 grace period.
Roles in Logistics
Certain logistics jobs are also covered by separate but related regulations, where work permits require a professional practice license. Examples consist of:
Drivers of water tankers (tractor-trailer) and refrigerated trucks
Driver of a trailer or tractor head
Driver of a waste hauling truck
Supervisor and representative for food delivery Prior to the issuance of new or renewed work permits, a license from the Sector Skills Unit for the Logistics Sector is required.The
Roles in Accounting, Finance, and Auditing
Oman has established distinct certification requirements for white-collar occupations in accounting, finance, and auditing:
The Sector Skills Unit for Accounting, Finance, and Auditing must issue an authorized certificate to employees.
In order to grant or renew work permits in those professions, this certificate is now required.
What Employers and Employees Need to Do Right Now
This is the problem. Although useful, the grace period is short-lived.
Employers ought to get ready right now by:
Determining which workers require licenses
Monitoring Omani officials' updates
Giving future work permit renewals more time
Preventing last-minute submissions around the 2026 deadline
Employees should continue to take initiative. Delays, denied permissions, or unplanned work disruptions could arise from waiting until the last several months.
The bottom line: Oman is not closing its doors to international workers, but it is raising professional standards. The message is obvious, but energy and minerals workers have time to adjust during the grace period ending on June 1, 2026. Soon, licenses won't be negotiable.
Now is the ideal time to prepare, not later, if you work in this industry or oversee others who do.
