Starting a BusinessOman
Starting a business in Oman
100% foreign ownership, Invest Easy and free zones.
3 min readUpdated 29 Oct 2026
Country guide · OM
Living in Oman
A scenic, lower-density country known for its natural landscapes, heritage and calmer pace of life.
Overview
Oman combines mountains, desert and 3,000 km of coastline with a slower, more traditional pace of life. Muscat is low-rise and green; Sohar, Duqm and Salalah are growing around ports and free zones.
Omanisation limits which roles are open to expatriates, so check your job title first. Housing is affordable, crime is very low and the outdoors is a big part of life. Oman plans a personal income tax on high earners from 2028.
Getting a job in Oman
Oman · Sohar
Tomasz Kowalski, Port Logistics Manager
Tomasz took a role running yard operations at a port and free zone in Sohar. Omanisation quotas meant his employer had to justify the hire, which shaped the timeline.
- per month
- OMR 2.1K
- Timeline
- 8–12 weeks
Oman · Muscat
Laura Bennett, English Teacher
Laura teaches at a private school in Muscat. Oman offered a slower pace and lower costs than other Gulf cities.
- per month
- OMR 1.1K
- Timeline
- 8–12 weeks
Oman · Muscat
Reena Thomas, Registered Nurse
Reena joined a private hospital in Muscat. Licensing with the Oman Medical Specialty Board was the main step.
- per month
- OMR 600
- Timeline
- 10–14 weeks
Oman · Muscat
Tom Andersen, Reservoir Engineer
Tom joined an oil producer in Muscat. Family visas were simple because his salary was above the threshold.
- per month
- OMR 3.2K
- Timeline
- 8–12 weeks
Visas and residency
Residence cards are employer-sponsored. Oman offers long-term investor residency for 5 and 10 years.
Climate
Hot summers on the coast; the Dhofar region around Salalah experiences a cool monsoon (khareef) from June to September.
Cities
Oman guides
Banking & FinanceOman
Opening a bank account in Oman
Documents, banks and digital payments.
3 min readUpdated 29 Oct 2026
Taxes & Personal FinanceOman
Oman personal income tax from 2028
Who will pay, the rate and what expats should know.
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Schools & EducationOman
International schools in Muscat
Curricula, fees and admissions.
3 min readUpdated 29 Oct 2026
Moving Your FamilyOman
Sponsoring family in Oman
Salary threshold, documents and process.
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Healthcare & InsuranceOman
Healthcare and insurance in Oman
Mandatory insurance (Dhamani), private hospitals and costs.
3 min readUpdated 29 Oct 2026
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Salalah?
The khareef monsoon season from late June to September brings cool, green landscapes.
What is Omanisation?
A policy reserving certain jobs for Omani nationals and setting quotas for companies. Check your job title is open to expatriates.
Will I pay income tax in Oman?
Not currently. Oman plans to introduce a personal income tax for high earners from 2028.
Is Oman safe?
Oman is regularly ranked among the safest countries in the world, with low crime and a welcoming culture.
Can I convert my driving licence?
Licences from many countries can be converted at the Royal Oman Police. Others require a test.