Starting a job in Oman: what to check before you sign
- Check the probation period, the contract type and your basic pay.
- Probation is at most 3 months if you are paid monthly (Art. 37).
- Your gratuity builds up at a month's basic pay or more for each year (Art. 61).
- Resigning does not reduce it.
Get your datesFor when this job ends: every deadline as a date.
Checked 23 October 2026
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Fixed-term or open-ended
On an open-ended contract, either side can end it with written notice and a legitimate reason (Art. 38).
A fixed-term contract must state the notice for not renewing it. Your employer's notice must be at least 1 month (Art. 36).
Probation
Probation is at most 3 months if you are paid monthly, and 2 months otherwise (Art. 37). It can be used only once.
Either side can end the contract in probation with at least 7 days' notice. More on Oman probation.
The notice you will owe later
On an open-ended contract, notice is 30 days if you are paid monthly and 15 days otherwise, unless your contract says longer (Art. 38).
Whoever skips the notice pays the other side the gross wage for it.
During a notice period you get 10 paid hours a week to look for a new job (Art. 39).
What you build up: gratuity
Gratuity is at least a month's basic pay for each year of service, on your final basic pay (Art. 61). Part years count in proportion.
It covers workers outside the Social Protection Law. It applies until that law's savings system starts.
See the numbers
| Year | Adds | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | OMR 600 | OMR 600 |
| 2 | OMR 600 | OMR 1,200 |
| 3 | OMR 600 | OMR 1,800 |
| 4 | OMR 600 | OMR 2,400 |
| 5 | OMR 600 | OMR 3,000 |
| 6 | OMR 600 | OMR 3,600 |
| 7 | OMR 600 | OMR 4,200 |
Resigning does not reduce it. A dismissal on one of the grounds in Article 40 removes it.
Job security insurance
Job security insurance, under the Social Protection Law, covers Omanis only (Art. 115). Expats are not covered.
Omani workers pay 0.5% of their wage a month, and so does the employer (Art. 116).
Check your contract
- Probation: up to 3 months if you are paid monthly, 2 months otherwise.
- Contract type, and for a fixed term, the notice for not renewing it.
- Notice: 30 days if you are paid monthly, or longer if your contract says so.
- Basic pay, shown on its own, because gratuity uses it.
Questions
- How long is probation in Oman?
- Up to 3 months if you are paid monthly, 2 months otherwise. Either side ends it with 7 days' notice (Art. 37).
- Do expats get job security insurance in Oman?
- No. It covers Omanis only (Social Protection Law, Art. 115).