Living in Oman
Information about moving to, living or retiring in Oman – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.
Getting help with living in Oman
Help from the Omani government
For any questions about moving to or living in Oman, you may be able to get help from the:
The UK government and the British Embassy in Muscat cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in Oman.
Professional help in Oman
You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in Oman, including:
- lawyers
- translators
- notaries
- funeral directors
Help from the UK government
Read the travel advice for Oman to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit Oman. This includes the latest information on:
- visas and entry requirements
- laws and cultural differences
- safety and security
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.
Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.
Visas, residency and citizenship
Make sure you meet the entry requirements for Oman before you travel.
Visas
Check which visa you need to live in Oman.
You can get a visa to:
- work
- study
- invest
- join family
A sponsor in Oman must arrange your residence visa. You’ll need to give them certified copies of documents if you have dependants. For example, certified copies of a:
- marriage certificate for your spouse
- birth certificate for a child
If you want to renew your visa, use the Royal Oman Police’s online visa application service.
A husband must get a ‘no objection letter’ from the British Embassy in Muscat if their wife or children need to change visa sponsor. Contact the embassy online to arrange an appointment to have your signature witnessed.
For more information on visas, read guidance from the:
Permanent residency
If you’re an investor, you may be able to apply for a renewable long-term residence visa in Oman. Oman does not issue permanent residence permits.
Read information about Oman visa types.
Citizenship
Oman does not usually recognise dual citizenship. This means that you may have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become an Omani citizen.
To find out if you’re eligible for Omani citizenship:
- read guidance on requesting Omani citizenship
- contact the Omani Embassy in London
Help with visa and citizenship applications
The British Embassy in Oman cannot help with Omani visa or citizenship applications.
For any questions or issues, contact:
- the Omani Embassy in London
- the Royal Oman Police
- the Ministry of the Interior (in Arabic) for citizenship applications
- an English-speaking lawyer in Oman
Passports
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- apply for a British passport from abroad
- travel urgently without your British passport
Dual citizens travelling to the UK
When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.
Healthcare in Oman
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- plan your healthcare
- take medicine abroad
Oman does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.
Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from Omani and international providers.
Most Omani employers provide medical cover for their foreign national employees.
Read guidance on taking medicines into the country in the entry requirements section of the travel advice for Oman.
To find out how to get medical treatment:
- contact your insurance provider
- read guidance on health in Oman
- find English-speaking medical facilities and doctors for British nationals in Oman
- find government hospitals in Oman
Working in Oman
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.
To work in Oman, you need a work visa. Find the different Oman visa types available to you.
To apply for a job, you may need to provide an Oman police certificate (in Arabic).
If you need a UK police certificate, you should apply through the ACRO Criminal Records Office and then get it legalised for use in Oman.
You may be eligible for some employment benefits for foreign nationals.
Recognition of qualifications
If you want to work in Oman, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised.
Driving in Oman
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- drive abroad legally
- take your UK vehicle abroad
- get driving licence letters
Read about road travel in Oman, in safety and security in the travel advice for Oman. This includes information on driving in Oman, including driving licence rules.
If you’ve held a UK driving licence for less than a year, you cannot exchange your UK licence for an Omani one. You must apply for a new Oman licence and take a driving test.
The Royal Oman Police provide information on driving in Oman, including how to:
Disabled drivers
You may be able to apply for an Omani disabled parking permit.
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Oman, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Tax
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Oman so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Contact the Oman Tax Authority or HM Revenue and Customs for any questions about double taxation relief.
Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in Oman. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in Oman.
Pensions
Claiming your UK pension
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- how to claim your UK State Pension
- where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension
Claiming an Omani pension
Foreign nationals are not usually eligible for the Omani pension scheme, the Social Protection Fund.
Benefits
Claiming UK benefits
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.
Claiming Omani benefits
Foreign nationals working in Oman may be able to claim limited Omani social welfare benefits.
Contact the Social Protection Fund to find out if you can claim.
Buying and renting property in Oman
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.
Foreign nationals can only buy property in certain locations in Oman. Contact an English-speaking lawyer if you’re considering buying property or land.
If you rent a property, your landlord will usually ask for one month’s rent in advance as a deposit. Most properties in Muscat are rented out for a one-year period. You’ll either pay a year’s rent in advice or sign multiple cheques that are forward dated. Read about penalties for unpaid bills in safety and security in the travel advice for Oman.
Voting in Oman
UK elections
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- vote in UK elections from abroad
- register as an overseas voter
Omani elections
You cannot vote in Omani elections unless you hold Omani citizenship and meet other eligibility requirements.
Studying in Oman
If you plan to study in Oman, you must meet all student visa requirements before you travel.
For more information:
- contact your higher education provider in the UK or Oman
- read guidance on travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England)
- contact the Oman Ministry of Higher Education
Children
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:
- getting permission to take your child abroad
- claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
- child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad
Schools and education
The Oman Ministry of Education provides information about the school system in Oman.
All children aged 6 to 18 must attend school in Oman. The children of foreign nationals must attend private fee-paying schools.
You must get UK education certificates legalised by the Legalisation Office to enrol in school. It is best to do this before you arrive in Oman. The British Embassy in Muscat and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office do not legalise certificates.
For more information, read the Omani government’s information on:
Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships
Births
If your child is born in Oman, register the birth with the Oman authorities.
Read information for unmarried couples in safety and security in the travel advice for Oman.
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:
- register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
- apply for your child’s first British passport
Deaths
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- how to register the death with the UK authorities
If someone dies in Oman, read guidance on:
If a foreign national dies in Oman without a will, the Oman authorities will freeze their bank accounts until their 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
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or form a civil partnership abroad.
The Royal Oman Police offer guidance on registering a marriage.
Same sex marriages and civil partnerships are not legally recognised in Oman. For information about LGBT+ rights in Oman, read guidance on safety and security in the travel advice for Oman.
Divorce and separation
Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.
The Royal Oman Police offer guidance on registering a divorce. Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in Oman.
Documents for British people in Oman
Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:
- legalising and certifying UK documents
- marriage and civil partnership documents
- affirmations and affidavits
- witnessing signatures
Lawyers, translators and notaries
To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in Oman, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.
Pets
If you want to bring your pet with 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
Returning to the 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 must:
- cancel your residency status
- cancel your work visa
- close all your bank accounts and credit cards
- pay off any fines or debts
You may face departure delays or be marked on the immigration system as an absconder or debtor if you do not do these things. You may face problems in the future, even if you are only transiting through Oman or another Gulf Co-operation Council country.
If you’re eligible for employment benefits for foreign nationals, such as an end-of-service gratuity, it is best to check this with your employer before you leave Oman.
Read about penalties for unpaid bills in safety and security in the travel advice for Oman.
Disclaimer
We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Omani authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.
Updates to this page
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Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand. Includes new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK ('Passports and travel' section).
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Annual review - updated guidance overall.
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Updated
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Annual review of guide - updated in full.
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Added process to get a good conduct certificate from the UK - see section 'Police Clearance certificates'.
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Updates
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updated all sections
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First published.