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This guide sets out essential information for British nationals living in Oman. We are unable to provide specific guidance on general lifestyle enquiries other than the information and links provided below.

This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Omani authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.

Support for British nationals abroad: a guide聽sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you get into difficulty. Read general guidance on聽moving or retiring abroad.

To stay up to date: follow the British Embassy on聽,听听补苍诲听, or by聽.

Before you go

See our聽travel advice for Oman聽for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.

Visas and residency

Information on the various entry visas is available on the聽.

Residence visas are arranged by your sponsor in Oman. In order to obtain a dependent resident visa for your spouse and/or children, you will be required to provide a certified copy of your marriage certificate and your children鈥檚 birth certificate to your employer.

The British Embassy is unable to issue a certified copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate issued from the United Kingdom or any another British Embassy/High Commission. You must obtain an Apostille on the certificate from the聽Legalisation Office聽in the UK. The document can then be submitted directly to your employer to obtain the dependent resident visa.

A 鈥楴o Objection Letter鈥� is required from the husband/father in order for wife/children to change their sponsorship to another sponsor or visa. The No Objection Letter can be witnessed at the British Embassy by booking an online appointment through the聽website.

Residents and visitors in Oman are required to carry identification documents with them at all times.

Passports and travel

British passports are no longer issued at the British Embassy. Applications should be 蝉耻产尘颈迟迟别诲听辞苍濒颈苍别聽and passports will be despatched from the UK. Allow sufficient time to renew your passport, and keep your passport in a safe place at all times.

搁别补诲听more information on how to obtain an Emergency Travel Document (sometimes called Emergency Passport).

Healthcare in Oman

Most employers provide medical cover for their expatriate employees. If your employer does not provide medical cover you should take out your own聽comprehensive travel and medical insurance聽before you travel. All expatriates are required to have a medical examination prior to taking up employment. See the .

罢丑别听聽has information for people moving abroad.

If you need emergency medical assistance in Oman, dial 9999 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment. Read more information on our聽travel advice.

See a聽

Medicines

Some medicines (permitted in the UK) containing psychotropic substances are banned in Oman. You should聽check your prescriptions聽are legal in Oman before travelling. Further guidance is available on our聽travel advice.

Working in Oman

You must have an employment visa to work in Oman. Working without an appropriate visa risks breaking the law and you could face a fine and/or prison sentence.

The 鈥榥o objection certificate鈥� (NOC) has been abolished in Oman as of January 2021. Employees can change employer (if they meet certain conditions e.g. non-compete rules, completion of contract, etc) without requiring an NOC.

The British Embassy cannot interfere or provide advice in employment disputes. Individuals should consider seeking legal advice. 厂别别听

Police clearance certificates

If you need a good conduct certificate from the UK, you should apply through the聽聽and then get it聽legalised for use in Oman.

For information on obtaining a Police Clearance Certificate / Good Conduct Certificate from Oman, visit the聽. The document may need an Apostille from the Oman Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order for it to be used in other Apostille countries.

Finance

Bouncing a cheque is illegal. If a cheque is presented without adequate funds to cover the amount, you could face criminal and civil charges. After you have served your jail sentence you will not be able to leave the country until the funds have been paid in full. Find out more about聽local laws and customs in Oman.

Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership

Births

厂别别听register a birth abroad.

You may face difficulties in registering the birth of a baby born in Oman if you are unmarried or in a relationship the Omani authorities do not recognise as a marriage.

Deaths

Upon the death of an expatriate in Oman, and in the absence of a will, the deceased鈥檚 bank accounts in Oman will be frozen (even when accounts are jointly held) until his/her assets are distributed. It can be time-consuming if a will does not exist due to the need to gather documentary evidence of would-be heirs, which then needs to be presented before a judge.

Expatriate residents in Oman should consider having a will in place to govern the distribution of their assets in Oman in the case of a death. This can be in the form of a worldwide will or an Oman-specific will. You should seek legal advice before entering into binding agreements.

See also:

• list of lawyers in Oman
• register a death abroad
• bereavement information: death in Oman

Marriages and civil partnership

厂别别听getting married abroad聽for information and to book an appointment for an affidavit or affirmation of marital status for Oman.

Accommodation and buying property

Expatriates can only buy property in certain locations within Oman. We recommend you seek聽legal advice聽before entering a contract to purchase a property.

See guidance on聽buying a property abroad.

Many expats choose to rent/lease property in Oman. Your landlord will usually ask for one month鈥檚 rent in advance as a deposit. Most properties in Muscat are rented out for a one year period and you will either pay the full year rent upfront or sign multiple cheques that are forward dated. It is important to note that bouncing cheques is illegal and you could face legal repercussions.

Make sure to read your contract thoroughly, checking your notice period and keeping an eye out for any auto renewal on leases. Always make sure there is an inventory list before moving into a property. The landlord should have an independent inventory checker prior to you moving in. Always make sure to flag any issues early to avoid being left footing the bill.

Studying in Oman

Expatriate children attend private fee-paying schools, of which there are a number to choose from.

The Ministry of Labour requires education certificates to be聽legalised. It is best to have this done prior to arriving in Oman, otherwise the document will need to be taken to the聽聽for verification and then to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for legalisation.

Driving in Oman

The British Embassy cannot issue or renew a UK driving licence. Find out more about聽how to renew or apply for a new UK licence.

If you have held a UK driving licence for at least one year, you can apply for an Omani driving licence.

If you have not held a licence for a minimum of one year, you may be required to take a driving test in Oman. You will also be required to take an eye test. More guidance is available on the聽

厂别别听driving abroad听补苍诲听road travel in Oman.

See guidance on聽taking a vehicle out of the聽UK.

Benefits

See guidance on聽claiming benefits if you live, move or travel abroad.

Find out which聽UK聽benefits you might be able to get while you鈥檙e abroad聽and how to claim them.

Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit can鈥檛 be paid if you鈥檙e abroad for more than 4 weeks.

罢丑别听Oman government does not provide social welfare benefits to non-Omani nationals.

Pensions

厂别别听State Pension if you retire abroad听补苍诲听new State Pension.

Life certificates for聽UK聽state pensions

If you get a聽鈥榣ife certificate鈥� from the聽UK聽Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you don鈥檛.

Voting

厂别别听voting when you鈥檙e abroad.

British citizens living abroad can聽. You鈥檒l need to聽register as an overseas voter.

Pets

厂别别听travelling with pets.

Emergencies

Emergency Number - 9999

厂别别听.

If you need urgent help,听contact British Embassy in Oman.

Leaving Oman and returning to the UK

Before leaving聽Oman, you need to:

• cancel your residency status
• cancel your work visa
• close all your bank accounts and credit cards
• pay off any fines or debts

Failure to do so could delay your departure or mean you are marked on the immigration system as an absconder or debtor. This may cause problems in the future, even if you are only transiting through Oman or another GCC countries.

Expatriate employees are eligible to receive a gratuity upon leaving a company or organisation. It is best to check with your employer about your gratuity entitlement before leaving the country.

To move your pension to the聽UK, contact the聽International Pension Centre.

厂别别听tax if you return to the聽UK.

厂别别听bringing your pet to the聽UK.

Disclaimer

This information is provided as a general guide and is based upon information provided to the Embassy by the relevant local authorities and may be subject to change at any time with little or no notice. The FCDO and the British Embassy are not 聽liable for any inaccuracies in this information. British nationals wishing to obtain any further information must contact the relevant local authority.