Starting September 1, 2025, all food delivery drivers and supervisors in Oman will be required to hold professional licences issued by the Ministry of Labour’s logistics sector skills unit. This regulatory move applies uniformly to all companies operating in Oman’s delivery sector, including local, regional, and foreign firms, aiming to standardize operations and boost service quality.TL;DR:
- Oman requires all food delivery drivers and supervisors to hold professional licences starting September 1, 2025, with applications submitted electronically via the Ministry of Labour’s logistics platform.
- Licensing fees start at 20 Omani rials for job seekers, with nationals paying reduced fees to encourage Omani participation in the sector.
- Strict penalties apply for non-compliance, including fines up to OMR 2,000, imprisonment, deportation of unlicensed workers, and suspension of company licenses for up to two years, with no extension.
New licensing rules for delivery sector
Oman’s Ministry of Labour has announced a new professional licensing requirement for all food delivery drivers and supervisors. Zaher bin Abdullah Al Sheikh, Director of Professional Standards at the Ministry, emphasized that the measure aims to impose uniform standards across all operators, thereby promoting fair competition and elevating the quality of delivery services.The directive mandates that every company must obtain licences for their delivery personnel, regardless of the company’s origin or scale of operations. Failure to comply will result in stringent enforcement actions.
Application process and fees
Individuals seeking licences need to apply through an electronic platform managed by the Ministry’s logistics sector skills unit. Licensing fees are set at 20 OMR for job seekers with nationals benefiting from lower fees, encouraging the entry of Omanis into the profession. This digitalised application streamlines compliance monitoring and ensures transparency in workforce certification.
Enforcement and penalties
The Ministry underscored the seriousness of enforcement, warning that violators face:
- Heavy fines ranging from OMR 1,000 to 2,000.
- Imprisonment terms between 10 days and one month.
- Deportation for unlicensed expatriate workers.
- Suspension of business licenses for violator companies for up to two years.
No grace period will be provided, reinforcing the government’s commitment to regulatory compliance in the logistics sector. Oman’s mandatory licensing system for food delivery agents represents a significant step toward formalizing and professionalizing the expanding logistics and delivery market. By ensuring all delivery personnel are certified, the government aims to enhance service standards, support local employment, and foster fair competition among businesses.
FAQ
Q. Who must obtain a professional licence in Oman’s food delivery sector?All food delivery drivers and supervisors working for any company in Oman, whether local, regional, or foreign.Q. When does the licensing requirement take effect?From September 1, 2025, no work permits or renewals will be granted without a valid professional licence for delivery staff.Q. What are the licensing fees and how are they structured?Licensing fees start at 20 Omani rials for job seekers, with lower rates for Omani nationals to encourage local workforce participation.Q. How and where should applications be submitted?All licence applications must be submitted electronically through the Ministry of Labour’s logistics sector skills platform.Q. What penalties will companies or individuals face for non-compliance?Non-compliance may result in fines of OMR 1,000 to 2,000, imprisonment from 10 days to one month, deportation of unlicensed workers, and suspension of company licenses for up to two years.
