Contract templates in Oman: the rules to know

• Permanent employment contract

  Hiring for a permanent position

  Written contract in Arabic, probation of up to three months for monthly-paid employees, and 30 days' notice.

  • Written contract in Arabic, in two copies; a foreign-language version is allowed if an Arabic version approved by the parties is attached (art. 33).
  • Mandatory content includes: identity of the parties, workplace, position, wage and allowances, payment date and notice period (art. 36).
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• Fixed-term employment contract

  Assignment or replacement with an end date

  The Omani Labour Law (RD 53/2023) caps a fixed-term contract at 5 years and reclassifies it as open-ended if the cap is exceeded, if it is not in writing, or if work continues after expiry without a new written agreement.

  • A fixed-term contract may not exceed 5 years; it is renewable by mutual agreement and renewals count towards length of service (art. 34).
  • Reclassified as open-ended if the initial duration, or the total with renewals, exceeds 5 years, or if no duration is set (art. 35).
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• Internship agreement

  Internships and first-job schemes

  In Oman, the 2023 Labour Law has no specific internship regime; it requires training of Omanis and refers to implementing regulations.

  • The 2023 Labour Law contains no specific internship or apprenticeship regime; it provides for regulations on training Omanis (art. 20).
  • Employers with at least 25 employees must train Omanis to develop their skills (art. 22).
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• Resignation letter

  Leaving a job properly

  In Oman, resignation takes the form of 30 or 15 days' written notice depending on the pay cycle; the law does not require the employer's acceptance.

  • Open-ended contract: written notice of 30 days (monthly pay) or 15 days, for a legitimate reason, unless the contract sets a longer period (art. 38).
  • Notice not observed: compensation equal to the notice or its remaining part; during notice, 10 paid hours per week to look for work (arts. 38 and 39).
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• Service agreement

  Work carried out for a client

  The service agreement falls under the Civil Transactions Law (Royal Decree 29/2013), which governs, among other things, the contract for work (muqawala).

  • A contract is formed by offer and acceptance, subject to any form required by law; intent may be expressed in writing, orally or by conduct (arts. 69-70).
  • A valid contract binds the parties: no unilateral termination or modification, except by mutual agreement or court decision (art. 167).
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• Agreement between two parties

  Mutual commitments in writing

  The Civil Transactions Law (Royal Decree 29/2013) and the Law of Evidence (Royal Decree 68/2008) govern the agreement: freedom of form, with specific evidence rules for privately signed documents.

  • Freedom of form: consent may be expressed in writing, orally, by a customary sign or by unequivocal conduct (Civil Transactions Law, art. 70).
  • A contract whose cause is contrary to Sharia, public order or morals is void (art. 121).
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• Freelance contract

  Independent professional and client

  In Oman, whether the relationship falls under labour law or civil law depends on whether the client directs and controls the work.

  • An employee is a natural person who works for wages for an employer, under the employer's direction and control (Law 53/2023, Art. 1).
  • Without direction and control, the relationship falls under civil law (contract for work or services) rather than labour law.
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• Non-disclosure agreement (NDA)

  Sharing sensitive information

  In Oman, undisclosed information is protected by the Industrial Property Rights Law (Royal Decree 67/2008); the Civil Transactions Law governs, among other things, penalty clauses.

  • Information is protected if it is secret, has commercial value because of that secrecy and is subject to reasonable protective measures (Law 67/2008, Article 65(2)).
  • Disclosing or using undisclosed information without consent, in particular in breach of contract or breach of trust, is unfair competition (Articles 65(1) and 60(2)).
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• Partnership agreement

  Joint project between companies

  A cooperation agreement that shares profits and losses may amount to a joint venture company (muhassa), with no legal personality and no registration.

  • A cooperation agreement that shares profits and losses may amount to a joint venture company (muhassa), a recognised form of company (art. 4).
  • The joint venture company has no legal personality, is not registered and may be proved by any means (art. 85).
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• Sale of goods

  Selling goods and movable property

  In Oman, the Civil Transactions Law organises the option for defect; the Consumer Protection Law regulates sales to consumers.

  • Option for defect applies by law in contracts for consideration (arts. 149 to 154); the defect must predate sale or delivery, undisclosed and unknown to the buyer (art. 403).
  • If a new defect arises while the goods are with the buyer, the buyer only obtains a price reduction for the old defect, unless the seller agrees otherwise (art. 407).
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• Influencer agreement

  Brand and creator collaboration

  In Oman, paid online promotion requires a Ministry of Commerce licence; penalties: warning, fine up to OMR 1,000, suspension up to one year or withdrawal (MD 619/2022, Art. 14).

  • A Ministry of Commerce licence is required for paid promotion on websites and social media; excluded: non-profit activity, traders promoting their own products (MD 619/2022, Arts. 1-2).
  • The activity is carried on through a company in the commercial register, other than a joint-stock company; platforms declared; three-year renewable licence (Arts. 3 and 5).
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• Residential lease

  Renting a home

  In Oman, landlord-tenant relations are governed by Royal Decree No. 6/89, whose annexed provisions cover in particular lease registration and eviction.

  • The lease must be registered with the competent municipality on a form, by the landlord, unless an agreement entrusts this task to the tenant (art. 2).
  • Without registration and payment within one month of signing, the lease cannot be relied on before any official body, and a fine of three times the fee applies (art. 4).
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• Commercial lease

  Renting business premises

  In Oman, Royal Decree 6/89 governs fixed-term leases of commercial and industrial premises; since 2025, specialised committees decide rental disputes.

  • Rent may be increased only at expiry, or every three years if the lease exceeds three years; if the parties disagree, the municipal committee decides (art. 6).
  • Renewal for the same term unless notice is given at least three months before expiry, or half the term if shorter (art. 7).
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• Acknowledgment of debt

  Money lent between individuals

  Above OMR 1,000, a civil debt is proven in writing; a signed acknowledgment is evidence against its signatory.

  • In civil matters, an act above OMR 1,000 or of undetermined value is proven in writing, not by witnesses (Evidence Law, art. 41).
  • Exceptions: a commencement of written evidence, a material or moral impossibility, or loss of the document through unforeseen events (art. 43).
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• Car sale agreement

  Selling a used vehicle

  The Civil Transactions Law governs the warranty against hidden defects; the transfer is registered by the Royal Oman Police, including online.

  • Statutory warranty against hidden defects: a defect that existed before the sale, is hidden, and affects the value or intended use (art. 149).
  • The buyer may seek rescission by returning the vehicle; this right is lost by waiver or by use after learning of the defect (arts. 150, 152).
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• Power of attorney

  Acting on someone else's behalf

  In Oman, powers of attorney go through the notary, and the 2026 Land Registry Law requires a special, explicit power for real estate acts.

  • The notary drafts and records deeds required by law or requested by the parties, and certifies signatures on private deeds (RD 40/2003, art. 6-8).
  • Registering a sale, mortgage, gift or partition of real estate through an agent: special and explicit power of attorney for that act (RD 56/2026, art. 18).
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