Working in Oman

Expat workers come to Oman for a number of reasons – to advance their careers, for higher standards of living, to take advantage of new career opportunities, to escape negative aspects of living in their home countries (such as crime), or just for the experience of living in a new culture.

Some people are seconded to Oman by companies based in their home countries, and some actively seek out opportunities for a new job that includes a place in the sun. The expat lifestyle is pretty good, although it’s not all coffee and sunshine. Setting up a new life in a strange country and forming new social networks is still hard work. And you only have developing labour laws to protect you in the instance of a dispute with your employer.

While Omanisation has closed off certain sectors of industry to expat job seekers, you will still be able to find a job fairly easily in sectors like oil, medicine and education.

One of the main differences about working in Oman as opposed to your country of origin is that you need to be sponsored by an employer, which often leaves some people feeling tied or uncomfortably obligated to their employer. If you leave the company your current visa will be cancelled and you have to go through the hassle of getting a new residency permit (for you and your family, if they are on your sponsorship).

Setting up a business in Oman can be a lengthy and arduous task! Firstly, you will need to find a suitable Omani sponsor, which is easier said than done. Obtain professional legal advice throughout and ensure all agreements are written down, not just verbal. It may be easier to set up in Knowledge Oasis Muscat (www.kom.om) or in Salalah Free Zone when it is completed at the end of 2006.

While Muscat is still a relatively small city, networking is critical, even across industries. Everyone seems to know everyone and getting in with the corporate ‘in-crowd’ certainly has its benefits. Business acumen can, at times, be more important than specific industry knowledge and therefore it pays to attend business events and meetings. Make friends in government departments and this will often land you in the front line for opportunities. And because bad news is rarely made public in the newspapers here, staying tuned in to the business grapevine helps prevent wrong decisions.

Although it is an up-and-coming modern city, Muscat is still an Arab city in a Muslim country, and this affects every aspect of daily life, including how business is done. Even if your counterpart in another company is an expat, the head decision maker is often an Omani who could possibly have a different approach to business matters. Your best bet when doing business in Muscat for the first time is to watch closely, have loads of patience, and make a concerted effort to understand the culture and respect the customs. And don’t underestimate your business contacts or assume that you have a better way of doing things than them – Omanis can smell an arrogant expat a mile away and you’ll soon find many business opportunities passing you by.

Until very recently, if you wanted to change jobs within Oman you would require a release letter from your employer stating that he had no objection to you finding work with another company in the Sultanate. This was more often than not impossible to obtain and you would be forced to find work either in the neighbouring UAE or back in your home country. It is worth staying on the good side of your current employer if you want to switch jobs. Be aware that you are generally not permitted to live in Oman if you are not employed, because you must have sponsorship, and that sponsorship normally ends when your employment does. You will be required to obtain an alternative visa immediately or you will be staying in the country illegally.