Oman will introduce new regulations for recruitment agencies starting on the first day of January 2027. Under these rules a recruitment office that brings a worker into the country must complete the process within a 45-day delivery period. The measures form part of Ministerial Decision 390/2026 and focus on insurance requirements for service contracts as well as clear conditions for refunds and worker replacements.
The regulation requires every recruitment service contract to include insurance coverage. This provision aims to protect both employers and workers by ensuring financial safeguards are in place from the outset. Agencies must therefore arrange appropriate insurance before finalizing any placement.
Employers gain defined rights regarding refunds when a placement does not meet expectations. The framework also allows parties to agree on a replacement worker instead of seeking monetary reimbursement. These options are intended to provide flexibility while maintaining accountability for recruitment offices.
The 45-day delivery period sets a firm timeline that agencies must observe once a worker is brought to Oman. Failure to meet this deadline could trigger the refund or replacement provisions outlined in the decision. Officials expect the structured timeline to improve efficiency in the recruitment sector.
By establishing insurance obligations and precise refund mechanisms the new rules seek to reduce disputes between employers and recruitment agencies. The decision clarifies responsibilities at each stage of the hiring process and offers employers predictable avenues for resolution when issues arise.
Implementation begins on 1 January 2027 giving recruitment offices and employers several months to prepare for compliance. During this period stakeholders can review existing contracts and adjust insurance arrangements to align with the upcoming requirements.
The regulation applies specifically to recruitment offices operating in Oman and covers the full scope of bringing workers into the country. It does not alter broader labor laws but adds targeted procedures for the agency segment of the market.
Overall the framework emphasizes transparency and protection through mandatory insurance and time-bound delivery. Employers will benefit from explicit refund and replacement options while agencies receive clear operational guidelines ahead of the January start date.
