Fines up to OMR 2,000 for Unlicensed Food Delivery Jobs from September; Lower Permit Fees for Omanis

26 July 2025
From 1 September 2025, working in food delivery jobs without an official permit will be considered a violation punishable by a fine of up to OMR 2,000 and up to one month in prison, according to officials at Oman’s Ministry of Labour.

Mandatory licensing for food delivery roles
Food delivery representatives and supervisors are now officially categorized under Oman’s logistics sector, and the new rules require them to apply for a professional license via the Logistics Sector Skills Unit platform.

Tiered fees based on nationality
Zaher bin Abdullah Al Sheikh, Director of Professional Standards at the Ministry, clarified that Omani citizens will pay reduced permit fees starting from OMR 20, while expatriates will face higher charges. This differentiation aims to encourage citizen participation in the sector and ensure the competency of foreign workers.

Penalties for unlicensed activity
According to Abdulaziz bin Suleiman Al-Ghabshi, Director of Inspection Governance, violators—including workers, employers, and companies—may be fined OMR 1,000 to 2,000, jailed for 10 days to 1 month, or both. Additional penalties include deportation of the worker and suspension of company licenses for up to two years, especially for those employing absconders or undocumented workers.

Self-employed also subject to the law
The Ministry stressed that freelancers or self-employed individuals are also considered violators if operating without a license, even if they work independently without a direct employer.

Sector regulation and consumer protection
Officials emphasized that this framework is part of broader efforts to regulate freelance work in Oman’s logistics sector, improve service quality, protect consumer rights, and ensure transparency.