The cost of medical exams for expats in Oman will go up by 200% starting February, according to a new decree announced by the Ministry of Health.
Expats and their families will need to pay $78 (OMR30) instead of $26 (OMR10) for their medical exams when applying for a residency. They will also need to pay $5 (OMR2) or a medication exam certificate and sick leave issued from abroad.
Similarly, Omanis who marry abroad are obliged to pay $52 (OMR20) for their medical exam.
The move is the latest in a series of changes in line with the country’s Omanisation plan, which is aimed at reducing the number of working expats in Oman to provide more jobs for locals.
This month, Oman said its expat visa ban, which currently limits expat jobs across 87 professions, could be extended as per local job market needs. The six-month ban will expire at the end of January 2019, but may be extended for another half year.
The decision will depend on the success of providing job opportunities to locals in the 87 professions.
Since February 2018, Ministry of Manpower provided 25,000 jobs to young Omanis. Over 40,000 Omanis were also given jobs in private sector companies as part of the government’s Omanisation policy.
Oman currently has over two million expats living and working in Oman, of which 1.8 million are employed.
Indians remain the country’s largest expat segment with 664,227 workers, followed by Bangladesh at 663,618 and Pakistan at 219,901.
