Muscat – In response to public and institutional requests, Ministry of Labour (MoL) has announced an extension of the status correction period for workers and employers till December 31, 2025.

In a circular issued on Monday, MoL confirmed that the decision follows numerous appeals from individuals, employers and workers across the sultanate seeking additional time to complete legal procedures. The original deadline was set for July 31.

‘This extension is aimed at allowing the largest possible number of beneficiaries to finalise their legal requirements,’ the ministry stated, stressing that this will be the final grace period. It urged all concerned parties to take advantage of the extension and rectify their status in accordance with the law.

The ministry directed all relevant departments and agencies to take necessary steps to implement the new deadline in line with public interest.

The amnesty initiative, introduced in January and approved by the Council of Ministers, includes a set of exemptions and waivers exceeding RO60mn.

Key measures include cancellation of fines for expired labour cards inactive for more than seven years and exemption from repatriation ticket costs for workers who left before 2017. Labour cards unused for over ten years will be cancelled, though these can be reactivated under certain conditions such as submitting renewal requests, transferring services or reporting work abandonment.

Companies that were officially liquidated can also have financial obligations waived provided their employees are repatriated or transferred to other employers.

During the amnesty period, which began on February 1, fines associated with labour cards will be dropped if certain conditions are met. These include renewing the cards, paying fees for two years and cancelling existing work abandonment reports.

MoL reiterated that the amnesty extension aims to create a balanced, legally compliant labour market, protect the rights of all parties and improve regulatory oversight.