Oman Stops Renewing Work Permits for Expats Over 60

MUSCAT, Aug 24: Oman has stopped issuing and renewing work permits for expatriate workers aged above 60, in a significant policy shift that reverses a decision introduced in 2022 allowing foreign workers to continue working in the private sector after reaching the age of 60.

According to The Arabian Stories, several expatriates have reported that applications submitted by their employers to renew their work permits were rejected in recent weeks. A senior official familiar with the matter also confirmed that work permits for expatriate workers above 60 are currently not being issued.

The change could have a significant impact on long-serving expatriates who continued working in Oman after reaching 60 under the previous policy and had expected to remain eligible for further renewals.

The latest development reverses a policy introduced by Oman’s Ministry of Labour in January 2022, when the government removed the age ceiling that had prevented expatriates from renewing employment permits after turning 60.

At the time, the decision was aimed at giving private-sector companies greater flexibility to retain experienced and productive foreign employees. Labour Minister Dr Mahad bin Said Ba’owain had explained that companies had repeatedly requested exemptions to retain experienced workers who had crossed the age threshold.

The removal of the age limit allowed expatriates to continue working beyond 60, subject to the applicable employment and work-permit requirements.

The latest change has created uncertainty among expatriates who had remained in Oman on the understanding that their work permits could continue to be renewed after they reached 60.

Some affected residents told The Arabian Stories that the rejection of renewal applications has raised concerns over both their employment and residency status, particularly for workers who have spent many years in Oman and whose employers still wish to retain them.

The change also comes as Oman continues to tighten regulations governing expatriate employment as part of broader efforts to regulate the labour market and support Omanisation. In July, the Ministry of Labour outlined new regulations governing labour authorisations and work permits, aimed in part at strengthening compliance with national employment policies and encouraging private-sector opportunities for Omani citizens.

Oman’s Ministry of Labour continues to provide online services for renewing work permits and work-practice licences for non-Omani workers. The ministry’s current service information, updated in August 2026, outlines the renewal process and applicable fees but does not publicly state an age threshold on the service page.

For now, the reported rejection of applications for workers above 60 marks a significant departure from the policy introduced four years ago and could force affected expatriates and their employers to reconsider their employment and residency arrangements in Oman.