Introduction
Thinking about setting up a workshop, factory, or small assembly line in Oman but not sure how the 2025 rule changes affect you? You’re in the right place. The Oman industrial license process used to feel like a long paper chase split between different ministries; now everything runs through a single online gateway, and most low-risk applications clear in under two weeks.
Even better, if you’re buying or leasing space in Sandan Industrial City, you can submit documents, pay fees, and walk out with both a deed and an industrial licence from one on-site counter. This guide walks you through the exact steps, fees, and documents you’ll need, while flagging shortcuts (and common trip-ups) for UAE-based owners who need attestations or GCC origin paperwork.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
-
The new 3-tier licence fees for 2025 and which band your activity falls into
-
A clear, 8-step timeline showing how long each stage really takes
-
Mainland versus free-zone differences and why Sandan’s hybrid desk is faster
-
The must-have document checklist, including UAE e-notary tips
-
Cost examples so you can plug numbers into your own budget model
Until last year, investors had to navigate two portals—MoCIIP for mainland sites and OPAZ for free zones—each with its own forms and fees. Royal Decree 38/2025 changed that by unifying the process under one Industrial Gateway with simplified pricing:
| Activity Type | Licence Fee (OMR) |
|---|---|
| Low-risk (light assembly, packaging) | 250 |
| Medium-risk (food, plastics, etc.) | 750 |
| High-risk (chemicals, heavy metals) | 3,000 |
If your facility is in Sandan Industrial City, the on-site counter submits your file directly into the new system. That means no shuttling between ministries or applying for a separate free-zone licence—just one fee and one PDF, and you’re good to go.
Who handles your file, based on your location:
| Where your unit is | Button you click | Who reviews it | Typical turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mainland estate (e.g., Rusayl, Ghala) | “MoCIIP Industrial” tab | MoCIIP reviewers | 10–14 days |
| Coastal SEZ (Duqm, Sohar, Salalah, etc.) | “OPAZ Free Zone” tab | OPAZ reviewers | 8–12 days |
| Sandan Industrial City | Submit to Sandan desk or kiosk | MoCIIP fast-track queue | 7 days |
Low-risk applications; add 3–5 days for medium/high risk because of extra HSE vetting.
The 8-step Oman industrial license process in plain English:
-
Reserve your space – Sign a purchase or lease agreement. Sandan allows you to put down just 5% to hold a unit.
-
Open the portal – Log in to the Industrial Gateway, choose mainland or free-zone, and fill out a three-page wizard with your activity code, power load, and staff count.
-
Upload the basics – Attach your commercial-registration copy, passport, simple floor plan, and a letter from the landlord or deed holder (Sandan provides this).
-
Environment tick-box – Low-risk? Click “self-declaration” and move on. Medium or high-risk? Attach the short HSE form; no EIA needed unless flagged.
-
Pay the band fee – Use card or SADAD; the system auto-fills the 250, 750, or 3,000 OMR fee.
-
Digital safety review – The zone HSE team checks exits, fire points, and machine layout. In Sandan, this is often a screen-share with the inspector.
-
Licence issued – An e-licence PDF is emailed and added to your dashboard.
-
Activate visas and VAT – The system pushes your new activity code to the Royal Oman Police and Tax Authority so you can apply for staff visas and a VAT number.
For low-risk projects, Sandan typically completes the process in one week. Mainland estates average ten days, and remote SEZs can stretch to twelve.
Documents to prepare:
-
Commercial-registration copy (GCC CR accepted)
-
Passport and Oman ID for the authorised signatory
-
Deed or lease contract (Sandan emails a signed PDF)
-
Floor plan marked with exits, fire gear, and gas lines
-
Public liability insurance certificate (scan and upload)
Real-world fee stack:
| Fee | Low-risk | Medium-risk | High-risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licence band | 250 OMR | 750 OMR | 3,000 OMR |
| E-service admin | 10 OMR | 10 OMR | 10 OMR |
| Inspection | 0–50 OMR | 75 OMR | 150 OMR |
| Typical total | 260–300 OMR | 835 OMR | 3,160 OMR |
Sandan usually waives the on-site visit for low-risk files if you provide clear photos of the workshop.
Comparison of licensing types:
| Factor | Mainland | Coastal SEZs | Sandan Industrial City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who signs the licence? | MoCIIP | OPAZ | MoCIIP (on-site at Sandan) |
| Title type | Lease / 25-year usufruct | Lease (25–30 yrs, renewable) | Freehold deed in company name |
| Corporate income tax | 0% for non-oil SMEs | 0% (15–30 yrs) | 0% (no sunset) |
| Customs on imported machinery | 5% (reclaimable) | 0% | 5% (reclaimable) |
| Average licence time | 10–14 days | 8–12 days | 7 days |
| Collateral value | Limited (lease) | Limited (lease) | High (banks lend up to 70%) |
Coastal SEZs shine if you need duty-free imports or port access. But for speed, financing, and Muscat’s workforce, Sandan is often the better bet.
Common snags and quick fixes:
-
Notarisation hiccups: UAE-issued documents must be notarised. Use Dubai Courts e-notary. Upload the QR-coded PDF—it’s accepted by MoCIIP.
-
HSE rejections: Most issues stem from missing fire exits or icons. Send your floor plan to Sandan’s technical team for corrections.
-
Omanisation waiver timing: Apply during Step 2 if you have fewer than 10 employees. Late submissions are not accepted.
-
Bank letter delays: Your capital-verification letter must be requested manually. Book the appointment the day you open your account.
-
Utility-load surprises: If your machines draw more than 100 kW, submit the load sheet in Step 2 so the transformer is ready on time.
Real-world example: Dubai auto-parts firm licensed in 15 days
| Day | Action | Notes & Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paid 5% booking (1,750 OMR) and signed contract | Sandan emailed a stamped PDF within 1 hour |
| 3 | Logged into Industrial Gateway, uploaded all documents | System assigned low-risk band (250 OMR) |
| 4 | Paid 260 OMR via card | Receipt received instantly |
| 6 | HSE video call, submitted workshop photos | No on-site visit required |
| 8 | Licence issued (valid 3 years) | E-licence pushed to visa/VAT systems |
| 12 | Cleared first shipment of imported hardware | 5% duty paid (reclaimable if re-exported) |
| 15 | Assembly line went live; first Omani tax invoice generated | Total official cost: 260 OMR |
Rashid’s verdict: “Faster than my Dubai mainland renewal—plus I own the building, so the bank offered inventory financing.”
FAQs investors always ask:
-
Can I upgrade from low- to medium-risk later?
Yes—upload revised HSE drawings, pay 500 OMR difference, and get a new licence PDF within 48 hours. -
How long is the licence valid?
Low- and medium-risk: 3 years. High-risk: 1 year (due to HSE monitoring). -
Can one licence cover multiple products?
Yes, if they’re in the same risk tier. Otherwise, pay the higher band and list all products. -
Do I still need a municipal trade licence?
Only if selling retail from the unit. Manufacturing or storage is fully covered by the industrial licence. -
What if I don’t meet the Omanisation quota?
Apply for a 1-year waiver during your initial submission. Otherwise, pay ~200 OMR/year per missing Omani.
How to turn the checklist into a licence fast:
-
Block 2 hours: Gather your CR, passport, and floor plan PDFs
-
Sign your space: A 5% refundable booking fee secures your Sandan unit
-
Open the Industrial Gateway: Choose MoCIIP or OPAZ
-
Pay immediately: The system times out after 60 minutes
-
Set a daily reminder: Check for reviewer comments
-
Schedule utilities as soon as you receive your licence
Follow this sprint plan and you’ll have a low-risk Sandan licence in under 7 days—or a mainland licence in about 10—well before your first invoice hits.
Final takeaway:
Oman’s 2025 licensing reform replaced complexity with clarity. Whether you go for Muscat’s industrial estates, the coastal SEZs, or deed-backed units in Sandan, the steps are streamlined, fees are flat, and the portal handles most of the heavy lifting. For UAE-based SMEs that need speed and certainty, Sandan’s fast-track setup and real-estate collateral offer a strong advantage. Treat it like a project: gather the right files, pay on time, reply fast—and your licence will be live before your first shipment arrives.
