Moving to Oman
Expats moving to Oman should prepare themselves for a financially and culturally rewarding experience. Oman has emerged as a major economic player in the Gulf region, and is a prime example of what can be achieved when petrodollars are wisely invested in a country’s infrastructure.
The country is a gentle introduction to the Middle East as it is among the safest, most stable countries in the Gulf region, and an example to and envy of many of its neighbours.
More than a quarter of Oman’s population are expats, and although the government plans to reduce this reliance on foreign labour through stricter work visa laws, for now, job opportunities for skilled expats still abound and should be taken advantage of while the going is good.
Expats who are a little reluctant to make the move can draw encouragement from the number of expats living in Oman, as well as the promise of high salaries and low taxes. Together with a reasonable cost of living and Omani employers’ penchant for providing attractive expat salary packages, it makes financial sense for skilled expats to seek employment in Oman.
Even those expats discouraged by the idea of relocating to the desert for a year – perhaps picturing a barren, desolate and depressing landscape – will be surprised by Oman’s interesting geography. The small state on the southeastern shores of the Arabian Peninsula showcases 1,060 miles (1,700km) of sunny coastline, as well as beautiful desert riverbeds (wadis), lush coconut and banana plantations, iconic white sand dunes, terraced rose plantations and frankincense trees, as well as austere rocky outcrops.
Beyond exploring the country’s fascinating landscape, there is plenty more for expats to see and do in Oman. This is a priority for the government, as it seeks to diversify its economy through tourism.
Oman is a shopper’s paradise, and the capital of Muscat’s many open-air markets are full of wonderful things to buy and offer interesting cultural interactions, giving visitors a taste of the sights, sounds and smells of the Middle East. Alternatively, Muscat’s Corniche is a popular hangout for foreigners and locals alike, especially at dusk, and the adventurous can head into Oman’s interior to visit ancient castles and forts, or to try their hand at sand-skiing.
Despite the obvious economic benefits and the range of interesting sights and attractions, expats relocating to Oman will likely enjoy the openness and tolerance of its society and the determinedly friendly nature of its people. With such a large expat population, Omani locals are accustomed to foreigners and treat them not with suspicion or hostility, but with curiosity and a willingness to engage across significant cultural differences.
In Oman, women play a far more active and visible role in society than in many other Middle Eastern countries. Female expats report feeling comfortable in Oman and respected in their vocational pursuits.
However, even though Oman is one of the most progressive countries in the Gulf, it is a staunchly Islamic state, and expats will have to adapt their behaviour to ensure that they remain in the good graces of Omani society. Expats are encouraged to view this not as a hardship, but as an opportunity to learn about a culture different to their own, and to develop their cultural sensitivity and interpersonal skills.
ESSENTIAL INFO FOR OMAN
Population: About 4.8 million
Capital city: Muscat
Neighbouring countries: Oman is situated at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, and is bordered by the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest.
Geography: Oman sits at the confluence of the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea. Much of the country is covered by sandy desert, which makes up over 80 percent of the landmass. In the north, a narrow and fertile coastal plain fronts the Gulf of Oman and from there the land rises into the rugged Hajar Mountains.
Political system: Unitary parliamentary absolute monarchy
Main languages: Arabic is the official language, but English is also widely spoken in business circles.
Major religions: Islam
Money: The Omani Rial (OMR) is the official currency. It is divided into 1,000 baisa. Oman has an established banking system with both local and international banks offering services for expats. It is easy and straightforward for expats to open a bank account.
Tipping: In restaurants, 10 to 15 percent where a service charge has not been added. Round up taxi fare by a couple of OMR.
Emergency numbers: 9999
Transport and driving: Oman doesn’t have an extensive public transport system and most expats choose to own their own vehicle. Cars drive on the right side of the road.
SAFETY IN OMAN
Oman is one of the most stable countries in the Middle East and has been led by the widely popular Sultan Qaboos bin Said al-Said since 1970. The elected legislature, the Majlis Al Shura, remains subordinate to the Sultan who wields extraordinary executive power. However, the legislative body has been granted additional powers in recent years in line with a goal to reform the current political system.
Crime in Oman
Crime rates in Oman are low. Crimes that do occur are largely petty in nature and include opportunistic theft and bag snatching. The possibility of expats being targeted increases if they’re negligent with valuables (i.e. leave them unattended in public areas).
Expats have reported burglaries in Muscat, but the number of incidents is low and decreases further if basic residential security measures are in place.
Road safety in Oman
Driving in Oman can be dangerous. The traffic accident rate is high compared to the population, and thousands of people are killed or injured annually. The cause of accidents is mostly poor driving, speeding and disregard for basic traffic laws, including among public transport drivers. The road network is well-maintained and well-lit in major cities and along major highways.
The standards of roads and lighting in secondary towns and roads are poor and drivers considering travelling in these areas should rather do so during the day. Travel at night in rural areas is made more dangerous by wandering livestock.
Expats driving in Oman should note that in light of the high number of accidents, traffic laws are strictly enforced and stiff penalties are in place for speeding, driving through red traffic lights and other offences. Penalties can include mandatory jail sentences and heavy fines.
Weather hazards in Oman
Oman is occasionally affected by tropical storms or cyclones. The storm systems typically dump high amounts of rain on the country, which result in severe flash flooding. Approaching storms are usually well publicised and expats should heed any and all advice from authorities. Caution is advised in wadis (dry river beds) and near the coastline during tropical storms due to the threat of flash flooding and coastal storm surges.
COST OF LIVING IN OMAN
Expats will find the cost of living in Oman more reasonable than that of many of the neighbouring Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and income is generally tax-free. Prices are highest in Muscat, but although costs can be lower outside of the city, choice is also more limited. According to the 2017 Mercer Cost of Living Survey, Muscat ranks 117th out of 209 cities.
Expat packages in Oman for highly skilled Western workers still seem to be generous and tend to offer good salaries, accommodation, a car, bonuses, flights home and medical insurance. However, as comprehensive as these contracts seem, there are always unforeseen costs. Watch out for the added cost of work visas and related health checks – for a family of four this can be fairly high. School fees are also a big add-on cost. But the real financial issue in Oman is the relative job insecurity, rather than the pay package or the cost of living.
Contrary to many of its nearby oil-rich counterparts, Oman does not draw on expats from abroad to comprise its primary workforce. Instead, it looks to locals to occupy most middle management positions, some senior management positions and even many low-paying jobs: fishermen, taxi drivers, shopkeepers, bank clerks. Expats tend to work in senior positions as directors or in sectors where there are skill shortages, such as in the healthcare and education fields.
Even then, though, most contracts are for three years, and if an Omani can fill a post, the contract can be terminated. Expats also tend to encounter considerable uncertainty towards the end of a contract. The government’s pointed Omanisation programme, which aims to educate and train local people for the senior positions that are traditionally held by expats, has put the authorities under increased pressure to speed up the process of filling the posts with Omanis. Thus, contract renewal is not a given, and a major cost of living in Oman is the fact that an expat might be out of a job in a short amount of time.
There are also a number of low-income, low-productivity expat jobs – maids, gardeners, builders – typically filled by Asian labourers.
Cost of accommodation in Oman
The market has eased considerably since its peak, and now accommodation prices are coming down – like elsewhere in the Middle East. There are a lot of new homes being built, and expats will be able to find a place that fits their budget, mood and style.
Costs vary according to size, facilities and area. Utilities, such as water, gas and electricity, are generally excluded in the quoted rental price. Accommodation is normally unfurnished.
Rent in Oman is paid annually in advance, rather than monthly. This is a huge lump sum; although, expats can normally get a loan from their employer. Do note, if one leaves before the year is out, the money is not refundable.
Cost of transport in Oman
Cars
The cost of using a car in Oman is much cheaper than in Europe. As a result, virtually every expat drives and few use public transportation. It’s also possible to hire a car with a driver in Oman.
Taxis
Taxis are also good value; unfortunately, though, they rarely have a meter. Drivers sometimes quote close to the real price, but more often the prices can be incredibly far-fetched.
Buses
For those who want to make every penny count, those who don’t have a car or those who want to experience local atmosphere, there are ‘baisa’ buses operating throughout Muscat. This mode of transit is largely used by the lowest paid workers.
Similarly, coaches can be a good way of travelling long distance, such as journeys to Sohar, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Cost of food and drink in Oman
European expats will find the cost of food and drink in Oman cheaper, while Americans may find it more expensive. Regardless, though, if one is willing to consume local products, it will be possible to save money.
Alcohol
Buying alcohol in Oman can be complicated and costly. As it’s a Muslim country, licences are required to buy booze from an off-licence shop, and the price of this piece of paperwork is set according to how much one intends to buy each month. Furthermore, one’s employer has to provide permission, and the quantity of alcohol one is allowed to purchase is related to a person’s salary.
Entertainment
Eating out can be costly, and if wanting a drink, one is forced to frequent expensive Western-style hotels. Luckily, there are a number of discount arrangements which means expats rarely pay full price. If a person doesn’t mind foregoing the booze, there is a wide range of independent ‘dry’ establishments, where the food is excellent and reasonably priced.
Sadly, tourist activities are highly overpriced. On the flip side, though, beach activities cost next to nothing. There is snorkelling, sunset cruises or dolphin sightings available to expats. The boats are usually well maintained and the crew knowledgeable.
Other entertainment is not costly. Cinema tickets are relatively cheap. Beaches and parks are free. The Royal Opera House is a must-see, and the price and performances are internationally competitive.
Cost of healthcare in Oman
Most companies offer health insurance to the family as part of the employment package. However, there are often exclusions, such as mental health and dentistry, and some insurance policies do not provide coverage for the health centres expats prefer, such as Muscat Private Hospital and Medident. This means most people end up paying some health costs irrespective of insurance. These can add up quickly.
Cost of schooling in Oman
The cost of schooling is a huge expense if the company does not pay – especially if an expat has several children. There is no free education for expats in Oman, and most schools demand that fees are paid prior to the first day of the term. Some institutions require expats pay a refundable deposit.
Cost of living in Oman chart
(Note that prices may vary depending on location and service provider and the table below is based on average prices for Muscat in October 2018)
Accommodation (monthly rent) |
|
Unfurnished two-bedroom villa |
OMR 800 |
Unfurnished two-bedroom apartment |
OMR 550 |
Groceries |
|
Milk (1 litre) |
OMR 0.65 |
Dozen eggs |
OMR 1.00 |
Loaf of white bread |
OMR 0.45 |
Rice (1kg) |
OMR 0.75 |
Pack of chicken breasts (1kg) |
OMR 2.30 |
Pack of cigarettes |
OMR 1.20 |
Eating out |
|
Big Mac Meal |
OMR 2.50 |
Cappuccino |
OMR 1.85 |
Three-course meal for two at mid-range restaurant |
OMR 20 |
Utilities |
|
Mobile call rate (minute-to-minute) |
OMR 0.10 |
Internet (uncapped – average per month) |
OMR 29 |
Utilities (gas, electricity, water – average per month) |
OMR 22 |
Transport |
|
City centre bus fare |
OMR 0.30 |
Taxi (rate per km) |
OMR 0.20 |
Petrol (per litre) |
OMR 0.20 |
BANKING, MONEY AND TAXES IN OMAN
Money in Oman
The currency used in Oman is the Rial (OMR), which is divided into 1,000 baisa.
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Notes: 100 baisa, 1 OMR, 5 OMR, 10 OMR, 20 OMR, 50 OMR
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Coins: 5 baisa, 10 baisa, 15 baisa, 20 baisa