Oman: Mandatory Certification for Engineers and Finance Professionals 

Oman mandates professional certification for engineers and finance professionals starting August–September 2025, making certification a condition for work permits.

Oman’s Ministry of Labor has introduced new work permit rules requiring engineers, accountants, auditors, and finance professionals to hold official classification certificates before they can be hired or continue working in the country, as reported by Oman Observer.

The decision affects both new job applicants and current employees, regardless of nationality, and will be implemented in two phases starting August 1 and September 1, 2025.

Overview of mandatory certification for engineers and finance professionals in Oman

Certification for engineers becomes compulsory from August 1

From August 1, 2025, any individual employed under the title of “engineer” will be required to present a valid professional classification certificate to obtain or renew a work permit. The certificate must be issued by the Oman Society of Engineers (OSE) and officially validated by the Sector Skills Unit (SSU) for engineering professions.

Applications will only be accepted through the designated electronic system. The Ministry has said that this is a hard deadline and that no exemptions or extensions will be granted.

Previously, engineers applying for work permits needed only a university degree in engineering and an employment offer from an Omani entity. The absence of a formal accreditation mechanism meant there was no standard method for verifying technical qualifications or specializations, especially for foreign professionals. This often led to mismatches in job placement, quality issues, and limited transparency in evaluating skills.

Under the new policy, foreign engineers will need to meet Oman’s verification standards before entering the job market or renewing existing permits.

Finance, accounting, and auditing professionals to comply by September 1

A similar requirement will apply to workers in the accounting, finance, and auditing sector starting September 1, 2025. From this date onward, all individuals in these roles, both Omanis and expatriates, must obtain a Professional Classification Certificate issued by the Sector Skills Unit for Accounting, Finance, and Auditing.

This unit operates under the Ministry of Labor in coordination with the Omani Association of Certified Public Accountants, which serves as the regulatory authority for the sector. The registration process opens on August 1, and workers will be required to apply through an electronic portal that the Ministry will announce on its official channels.

Complete list of roles requiring certification in finance and auditing

The Ministry has published a detailed list of 20 roles in the accounting, finance, and auditing fields that fall under the new certification requirement:

1. Accounts Technician
2. Assistant External Auditor
3. Assistant Internal Auditor
4. Internal Auditor
5. External Auditor
6. Cost Accountant
7. Credit Analyst
8. Financial Analyst
9. Accounts Manager
10. Tax Manager
11. Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
12. External Audit Manager
13. Internal Audit Manager
14. Senior Internal Audit Manager
15. Financial Controller
16. Senior External Audit Manager
17. Head of Internal Audit Department
18. Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
19. External Audit Partner
20. Chief Audit Executive (CAE)

What engineers and finance professionals in Oman need to do now

Professionals currently working in Oman or planning to relocate for work must begin preparing for the certification process immediately. The steps include:

• Reviewing eligibility criteria set by the respective Sector Skills Unit;
• Preparing required documents for verification;
• Applying online once the registration portal opens; and
• Tracking progress and following up before the deadline.

Employers should assess their workforce, identify roles that fall under the mandatory certification scope, and assist employees in completing the process to avoid disruptions in legal employment status.

Changes will affect foreign engineers the most

For expatriate engineers, the new rule adds a mandatory layer of compliance. Certification may require time, documentation, and fees, especially for those nearing the expiration of their current work permits. Professionals who obtain the certificate in time will likely have an advantage, as employers may prioritize verified candidates in hiring decisions.

Engineers who do not complete the certification process before August risk losing legal work eligibility in Oman.

In brief

Oman will begin enforcing mandatory certification for engineers and finance professionals from August and September 2025 and work permits in these sectors will be issued or renewed only upon submission of an approved professional classification certificate. These requirements apply to both existing employees and new hires.

So, employers and workers are advised to complete the certification process through official channels within the announced timelines.

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