Living in Oman
Advice
Information forabout Britishmoving peopleto, living inor Oman,retiring includingin informationOman on– health,including education,visas, employment,working, residencehealthcare requirements and more.driving.
- From:
- Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
- Published
- 30 June 2020
- Last updated
-
412SeptemberJanuary20242026 — See all updates
This
Getting guidehelp setswith outliving essentialin informationOman
Help forfrom Britishthe nationalsOmani government
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You iscan notalso liableget forhelp anyfrom inaccuraciesEnglish-speaking professionals in thisOman, information.including:
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Help from the UK government
SupportRead the travel advice for BritishOman nationalsto abroad:understand athe guide setsrisks outyou howmay Britishface nationalsif canyou staylive safein abroador andvisit howOman. This includes the FCDOlatest caninformation helpon:
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ifandyouentrygetrequirements - laws
intoanddifficulty.cultural differences - safety and security
Read generalour guidance on movingon moving, living or retiring abroad.
ToGet stayhelp upfrom to date: follow the BritishUK Embassygovernment on Facebookabroad, Twitter and Instagram, orincluding by signingin upan to our quarterly consular newsletter.emergency.
BeforeVisas, youresidency goand citizenship
SeeMake our travelsure adviceyou formeet Oman forthe up-to-date information on entry requirements,requirements localfor lawsOman andbefore customs,you safety and emergencies.travel.
Visas and residency
InformationCheck onwhich thevisa variousyou entryneed visasto islive availablein on the Royal Oman Police website.
ResidenceYou visascan areget arrangeda byvisa yourto:
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A sponsor in Oman.Oman Inmust orderarrange toyour obtainresidence avisa. dependentYou’ll residentneed visato forgive yourthem spousecertified and/orcopies children,of youdocuments willif beyou requiredhave todependants. provideFor aexample, certified copycopies of your a:
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Read bookinginformation anabout onlineOman appointmentvisa through the websitetypes.
Citizenship
ResidentsOman anddoes visitorsnot inusually Omanrecognise aredual requiredcitizenship. This means that you may have to carrygive identificationup documents(renounce) withyour themBritish atcitizenship allto times.
Passportsbecome andan travel
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passportsthewillOmanibeEmbassydespatchedinfromLondon
Help thewith UK.visa Allowand sufficientcitizenship timeapplications
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obtainRoyal anOman EmergencyPolice
TravelMinistry Documentof (sometimesthe calledInterior Emergency(in Passport)Arabic).
Healthcare for citizenship applications
Passports
MostRead employersour provideguidance medicalon covermoving, forliving theiror expatriateretiring employees.abroad. IfThis yourcovers employerhow doesto:
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notforprovideamedicalBritishcoverpassportyoufromshouldabroad - travel
takeurgentlyoutwithout yourowncomprehensiveBritishtravelpassport
Dual andcitizens medicaltravelling insurance beforeto youthe travel.UK
When Alltravelling expatriatesto arethe requiredUK, toBritish havecitizens amust medicalcarry examinationa priorvalid toBritish takingpassport upor employment.certificate Seeof theentitlement. Read guidance on the Omandual Ministry of Health websitecitizenship.
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Read peopleour movingguidance abroad.
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Seefrom a listOmani ofand governmentinternational hospitals.providers.
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Read inguidance Oman.on Youtaking should checkmedicines yourinto prescriptions arethe legalcountry in Omanthe beforeentry travelling.requirements Furthersection guidanceof isthe available on our travel advice for Oman.
Working in Oman
YouTo mustfind haveout anhow employmentto visaget tomedical worktreatment:
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inyourOman.insuranceWorkingprovider - read
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Working certificate’in (NOC)Oman
Read hasour beenguidance abolishedon inmoving, Omanliving asor ofretiring Januaryabroad. 2021.This Employeescovers canworking changeabroad, employerincluding (ifdocuments theyyou meetmay certainneed conditionsfrom e.g.the non-competeUK rules,government.
To completionwork ofin contract,Oman, etc)you withoutneed requiringa anwork NOC.
Thevisa. BritishFind Embassythe cannotdifferent interfereOman orvisa providetypes adviceavailable into employmentyou.
To disputes.apply Individualsfor shoulda considerjob, seekingyou legalmay advice.need See ourto listprovide ofan localOman lawyerspolice incertificate Oman.(in Arabic).
Police clearance certificates
If you need a goodUK conductpolice certificatecertificate, from the UK, you should apply through the ACRO Criminal Records Office and then get it legalised for use in Oman.
ForYou informationmay onbe obtainingeligible afor Policesome Clearanceemployment Certificatebenefits /for Goodforeign Conductnationals.
Recognition Certificateof fromqualifications
If Oman,you visitwant the Royalto Omanwork Policein website.Oman, Theyou document may need anto Apostilleget fromyour theforeign Omanqualifications Ministryrecognised.
Driving ofin ForeignOman
Read Affairsour inguidance orderon formoving, itliving toor beretiring usedabroad. inThis othercovers Apostillehow countries.to:
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Read withoutabout adequateroad fundstravel toin coverOman, in safety and security in the amount,travel youadvice couldfor faceOman. criminalThis andincludes civilinformation charges.on Afterdriving youin haveOman, servedincluding yourdriving jaillicence sentencerules.
If youyou’ve willheld nota beUK abledriving tolicence leavefor theless countrythan untila theyear, fundsyou havecannot beenexchange paidyour inUK full.licence Findfor outan moreOmani about localone. lawsYou andmust customsapply infor Oman.
Births,a deaths,new marriageOman licence and civiltake partnership
Births
See register a birthdriving abroad.test.
YouThe mayRoyal faceOman difficultiesPolice provide information on driving in registeringOman, theincluding birthhow ofto:
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babyforeignborndrivinginlicence - get a new Oman
ifdrivingyoulicence - renew
areanunmarriedOmanordrivinginlicence
Disabled adrivers
You relationshipmay thebe Omaniable authoritiesto doapply notfor recognisean asOmani adisabled marriage.parking permit.
Deaths
UponIf theyou deathhave ofa anUK expatriateBlue inBadge Oman, and live in theOman, absenceyou ofmust areturn will,it to the deceased’soriginal bankUK accountsissuing inauthority.
Tax
Read Omanour willguidance beon frozenmoving, (evenliving whenor accountsretiring areabroad. jointlyThis held)covers untiltax, his/herincluding assetspaying areUK distributed.tax Itand canNational beInsurance.
The time-consumingUK ifhas a willdouble doestaxation agreement with Oman so that you do not existpay duetax toon the needsame toincome gatherin documentaryboth evidencecountries.
Contact ofthe would-beOman heirs,Tax whichAuthority thenor needsHM toRevenue beand presentedCustoms beforefor aany judge.questions about double taxation relief.
ExpatriateConsider residentsgetting professional advice on paying tax in Oman. shouldTo considerdo havingthis, afind willan English-speaking lawyer in placeOman.
Pensions
Claiming toyour governUK thepension
Read distributionour ofguidance theiron assetsmoving, inliving Omanor inretiring theabroad. caseThis ofcovers:
- how
atodeath.claimThisyourcanUKbeStateinPension - where the
formUKofgovernmentapaysworldwideanwillannualorincrease in the State Pension
Claiming an Oman-specificOmani will.pension
Foreign Younationals shouldare seeknot legalusually adviceeligible beforefor enteringthe intoOmani bindingpension agreements.scheme, the Social Protection Fund.
See
Benefits
Claiming also:UK benefits
listRead
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MarriagesClaiming andOmani civil partnershipbenefits
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Contact orthe affirmationSocial ofProtection maritalFund statusto forfind Oman.out if you can claim.
AccommodationBuying and buyingrenting property in Oman
ExpatriatesRead our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
Foreign nationals can only buy property in certain locations withinin Oman. WeContact recommendan youEnglish-speaking seek legal advicelawyer before enteringif ayou’re contractconsidering tobuying purchaseproperty aor property.land.
SeeIf guidanceyou on buyingrent a propertyproperty, abroad.
Manyyour expats choose to rent/lease property in Oman. Your landlord will usually ask for one month’s rent in advance as a deposit. Most properties in Muscat are rented out for a oneone-year yearperiod. periodYou’ll and you will either pay thea fullyear’s year rent upfrontin advice or sign multiple cheques that are forward dated. ItRead isabout importantpenalties tofor noteunpaid thatbills bouncingin chequessafety isand illegalsecurity andin youthe couldtravel faceadvice legalfor repercussions.Oman.
Make
Voting surein toOman
UK readelections
Read yourour contractguidance thoroughly,on checkingmoving, yourliving noticeor periodretiring andabroad. keepingThis ancovers eyehow outto:
- vote
forinanyUKautoelectionsrenewalfromonabroad - register
leases.asAlwaysanmakeoverseassurevoter
Omani thereelections
You iscannot anvote inventoryin listOmani beforeelections movingunless intoyou ahold property.Omani Thecitizenship landlordand shouldmeet haveother aneligibility independentrequirements.
Studying inventoryin checkerOman
If prioryou plan to study in Oman, you movingmust in.meet Alwaysall makestudent surevisa torequirements flagbefore anyyou issuestravel.
For earlymore toinformation:
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avoidyourbeinghigherlefteducationfootingprovider in thebill.StudyingUKinor OmanExpatriate - read
childrenguidanceattendonprivatetravelfee-payinggrantsschools,forofstudentswhichstudyingthereabroadareoraonnumberplacementsto(England) - contact
choosethefrom.
Children
Read educationour certificatesguidance toon be legalisedmoving, living or retiring abroad. ItThis iscovers bestmoving toabroad havewith thischildren, doneincluding:
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priorpermission toarrivingtakeinyourOman,childotherwiseabroad - claiming
theUKdocumentChildwillBenefitneedabroad - child
tomaintenancebepaymentstakeniftoatheBritishparentCouncilforlivesverificationabroad
Schools and theneducation
The toOman the Ministry of ForeignEducation Affairsprovides forinformation legalisation.
Drivingabout the school system in Oman
Oman.
All children aged 6 to 18 must attend school in Oman. The Britishchildren Embassyof cannotforeign issuenationals ormust renewattend aprivate fee-paying schools.
You must get UK drivingeducation licence.certificates Findlegalised outby morethe about howLegalisation Office to renewenrol orin applyschool. forIt ais newbest UKto licence.
Ifdo this before you havearrive heldin aOman. UKThe drivingBritish licenceEmbassy forin atMuscat leastand onethe year,Foreign, youCommonwealth canand applyDevelopment forOffice ando Omaninot drivinglegalise licence.certificates.
IfFor youmore haveinformation, notread heldthe aOmani licencegovernment’s forinformation aon:
Births, youdeaths, maymarriages beand requiredcivil topartnerships
Births
If takeyour achild drivingis testborn in Oman.Oman, Youregister willthe alsobirth bewith requiredthe toOman takeauthorities.
Read aninformation eyefor test.unmarried Morecouples guidancein issafety availableand onsecurity the Royalin Omanthe Policetravel website.advice for Oman.
See drivingRead our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad and road. travelThis incovers Oman.how to:
See
- register
guidancetheontakingbirth with the UK authorities to get avehicleUKoutbirthofcertificate - apply
the UK.for your child’s first British passport
Benefits
Deaths
SeeRead our guidance on claimingon benefitsmoving, ifliving you live, move or travelretiring abroad. This covers:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
FindIf outsomeone which UK benefitsdies youin mightOman, beread ableguidance on:
- what to
getwhenwhilesomeoneyou’rediesabroadin countryand - English-speaking
howfuneraltodirectorsclaiminthem.Oman
ManyIf income-relateda benefitsforeign suchnational asdies Pensionin CreditOman andwithout Housinga Benefitwill, can’tthe beOman paidauthorities ifwill you’refreeze abroadtheir forbank moreaccounts thanuntil 4their weeks.assets are distributed. This includes joint accounts. Consider making a worldwide will or an Omani will through an English-speaking lawyer in Oman.
Marriages and civil partnerships
The OmanRead governmentour doesguidance noton providemoving, socialliving welfareor benefitsretiring abroad. This covers how to non-Omaniget nationals.married or form a civil partnership abroad.
Pensions
See StateThe PensionRoyal ifOman youPolice retireoffer abroad and newguidance Stateon Pensionregistering a marriage.
Life
Same certificatessex for UK statemarriages pensions
Ifand youcivil getpartnerships a ‘lifeare certificate’not fromlegally the UK Pensionrecognised Service,in youOman. needFor toinformation respondabout asLGBT+ soonrights asin possible.Oman, Yourread paymentsguidance mayon besafety suspendedand ifsecurity youin don’t.the travel advice for Oman.
Voting
Divorce and separation
See votingRead whenour you’reguidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
BritishThe citizensRoyal livingOman abroadPolice can voteoffer inguidance some UK electionson registering a divorce. You’llConsider needtaking to registerlegal asadvice from an overseasEnglish-speaking voterlawyer in Oman.
PetsDocuments for British people in Oman
See travellingRead withour petsguidance on documents for British people abroad.. This covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
EmergenciesLawyers, translators and notaries
EmergencyTo Numberfind -an 9999
See listEnglish-speaking oflawyer, emergencytranslator numbersor notary in Oman, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you needwant urgentto help, contactbring Britishyour Embassypet inwith you to Oman, read guidance on:
- getting a veterinary permit to import a dog or cat to Oman
. - taking your pet dog, cat or ferret to a non-EU country
LeavingReturning Omanto andthe UK
Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.
Before leaving Oman, you need to:must:
- cancel your residency status
- cancel your work visa
- close all your bank accounts and credit cards
- pay off any fines or debts
FailureYou tomay doface so could delay your departure delays or meanbe you are marked on the immigration system as an absconder or debtor.debtor Thisif you do not do these things. You may causeface problems in the future, even if you are only transiting through Oman or another GCCGulf countries.Co-operation Council country.
ExpatriateIf employeesyou’re are eligible tofor receiveemployment abenefits gratuityfor uponforeign leavingnationals, asuch companyas oran organisation.end-of-service Itgratuity, it is best to check this with your employer about your gratuity entitlement before leavingyou theleave country.Oman.
ToRead moveabout yourpenalties pensionfor tounpaid the UK,bills contactin the Internationalsafety Pensionand Centre.
See taxsecurity ifin youthe returntravel toadvice the UK.
See bringingfor your pet to the UKOman.
Disclaimer
ThisWe informationprovide isthis providedinformation as a general guide andonly. isFor baseddefinitive uponinformation, informationcontact provided to the EmbassyOmani byauthorities.
Read theour relevantconsular localinformation authoritiesdisclaimer.
Updates and may be subject to changethis atpage
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Updates to thisthe page
- section).
-
Annual review - updated guidance overall.
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Explore the topic
Update history
2026-01-12 09:20
Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand. Includes new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK (‘Passports and travel’ section).
2024-09-04 11:06
Annual review – updated guidance overall.
2024-09-04 09:23
Updated
2023-07-05 10:48
Annual review of guide – updated in full.