Employer of Record and Payroll Services in Oman 
Mercans-owned legal entity
We have our own legal entity to protect your business from risk and provide you and your employees with a distinctive experience.
We have our own legal entity to protect your business from risk and provide you and your employees with a distinctive experience.
Services available
- Employer of record
- Contractor management
- Global payroll
- In-country payroll
Mercans offers complete payroll, PEO and HR services in Oman
An Arab country in the southeast coast of the Arab Peninsula and the second-largest state in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), Oman boasts political and economic stability which makes it attractive for local and foreign investment. Inclusion is a key aspect of all national development efforts to ensure equal opportunities for all. In its effort to encourage business and attract foreign investment, Oman’s policies include reducing dependence on oil and diversifying national income sources.
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Doing Business in Oman
Advantages to investing in Oman include a stable, transferable local currency, no personal income tax, low customs rates of taxation on many imported products, free trade agreements with various trading blocks and countries as well as special laws on protecting rights for foreign investment.
Entity Registration and Incorporation Requirements
Setting up a new business or expanding an existing one in Oman is straightforward. Choose how your company operates from a range of entity types which suit your individual circumstance.
Banking
Banking Hours: Monday - Thursday from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Working Week
The standard working week is from Monday to Friday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Labor Law
The Directorate-General of Labor Welfare and the Directorate-General of Employment were established to achieve the principles and policies of the Ministry of Labor. Labor law in Oman applies to all Omani or expatriate employers and employees, public and private establishments and organizations (including subsidiaries) in Oman. Labor law regulates the employment of all workers in the private sector except for domestic servants.
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Main Industries
Crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals, optic fiber
GDP Growth
6.30%
Dates & Numbers
dd/mm/yyyy
Official State Name
Sultanate of Oman
Population
5.107 million
Capital
Muscat
Major Languages
Arabic
Currency
Omani Rial (OMR)
Internet Domain
.om
International Dialing Code
+968
23°C
Payroll
The minimum wage for Omani job seekers, which was linked to their academic degree, has been canceled. Regardless of their qualifications, Omanis will be paid RM 325, the minimum prescribed salary. Several other initiatives have been put in place to ensure more job availability for Omanis in both the private and government sectors. This includes the discontinuation of sub-contracting of expatriate employees.
It is acceptable to provide employees with online payslips
Payslip
Payroll report must be kept for 10 years
Reports
30 days
Annual Leave
Employees are allowed 10 days of sick leave with full pay
Sick Leave
50 days of paid maternity leave. There is no provision for paternity leave
Maternity & Paternity Leave
30 days
Employee Termination
-
13th Salary
325 OMR per month
Minimum Wage
125% of the employee’s regular wage for daylight hours and 150% for hours worked at night
Overtime
15 days payment for each year of service once three years of employment has been completed.
Severance Pay
Tax and Social Security
The Tax Authority oversees the implementation of laws and regulations and provides services to support the business and finance sectors including taxpayer registrations, returns and tax certificates. The Public Authority for Social Insurance applies the provisions of Social Insurance Law such as insurance against old age, disability, death risks, insurance against work injuries and occupational accidents, insurance for Omanis working abroad and more.
Tax
Salaries of employees in Oman are free of taxes, there are no restrictions on transferring the employee’s salary to their home country. Every taxpayer shall adhere to the tax registration in the commercial registration at the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. All taxpayers (except the Enterprise) are required to submit two returns for any tax year. A provisional return is submitted within three months at the end of the tax year and a final return is submitted within six months of the end of the tax year.
Corporate Income Tax
Personal Income Tax
Sales Tax
VAT
Social Security
There are eight governmental pension funds. These are for workers in both government and military sectors and the Public Authority for Social Insurance is the ninth fund for workers in the private sector.
Social Security Rate
Social Security Rate for Employers
Social Security Rate for Employees
Employment Law
Labor law requires a standard format written employment contract. Employers must obtain labor clearance, from the Ministry of Manpower, to hire expat employees from overseas. The private sector is also required to comply with Omanization targets for employment of roles. Companies who operate multi-country payroll should take note of the country’s priority to hire Omani nationals and where redundancies of Omani national employees are considered, a minimum of three months’ notice is required to be provided to the Ministry of Labor.
Employment Agreement
This is defined as an agreement between the employer and employee. Where the agreement is written in a language other than Arabic, a translation must be attached. A standard employment contract is issued by the Ministry of Manpower for Omani employees and there is a more detailed contract available for expatriate employees.
Working condition
The maximum work hours are nine hours per day. During Ramadan, the maximum work hours are six hours per day. Employees shall be provided with adequate means of protection against the hazards of occupational injury or disease.
Leaves
Employees are entitled to 30 calendar days of annual leave with gross salary (basic salary plus allowance). Female employees are entitled to six months maternity leave on full pay. An employer must not dismiss a pregnant employee nor send any notice during her pregnancy or maternity leave.
Employment termination
An employer may dismiss an employee by providing the end of service gratuity or Pension Fund. Dismissals can also occur without notice on misconduct-related grounds.
30 days
Minimum notice period for terminating an employee
10
Total number of public holidays
40
Working hours per week
3 - 5 days
Total number of days for Compassionate & Bereavement Leave
Immigration
Non Omanis are banned from taking on any job without procuring a labor card. Foreign manpower cannot be recruited without procuring a license from the Ministry of Manpower. In order to procure foreign manpower, the employer shall procure a labor license, a medical fitness certificate, employment visa, procure a labor card and ensure the medical fitness test is passed.
Residency permits
The employer must submit the employment license and medical certificate to procure an employment visa for the employee. The residence authority will stamp the employee’s passport providing a two year employment residency visa from the date of stamping of approval. A foreigner or resident person must procure a residence card from any directorate general of civil status within 30 days commencing the date of stamping in the passport.
Work Permit validity
Two years
Required Documents
A plan demonstrating the positions filled by the applicant with Omani nationals
A list of desired expatriate employees, including positions and genders
Copies of all foreign employee passports with at least six months’ validity
Relevant certificates and qualifications for each employee
Transcripts from educational institutions for each employee
Attestation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Oman Embassy in the employee’s native country
Copy of the labor license issued by the Ministry of Manpower
Invitation or job offer letter from the registered company
Medical certificate from an approved clinic based in the employee’s home country
Two updated passport-sized photos.
Build the best team and hire top talent compliantly in Oman. Get in touch with Oman payroll outsourcing & PEO specialists for a free consultation!
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