The Sultanate of Omanis a country on the South-Eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, sharing land borders with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The population of the country is around 5 million making it one of the most sparsely populated on the planet. But Oman’s emergence as a key economic hub in the Gulf led to an increased number of expats arriving in the country – about 40% of Oman’s population are expats. The capital Muscat contains about 50% of the country’s population and is ranked 10th on the list of ‘Best Cities for Expats’.
A significant portion of Oman’s economy involves tourism and the trade of fish, dates, and agricultural produce. The World Bank classifies Oman as a high-income economy, while the Global Peace Index ranks it as the 70th most peaceful country in the world.
Interesting facts about Oman
Oman is the oldest independent state in the Arab world
Oman’s National Day is celebrated on 18 November
The majority of Omanis still farm or fish
If you want to buy alcohol in Oman, you must have a license. Omanis are permitted to spend no more than 10% of their monthly income on alcohol
The falcon is the national bird of Oman
Oman has 4 UNESCO world heritage sites; Bahla Fort, The Archaeological Sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn, Nakhal Fort and Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
Cost of Living for Expats
Visa
The procedure for sponsoring an expat to work in an Omani company rests mostly on the employer, who must obtain several documents – long-term employment requires a greater number of documents and procedures to follow. The employer must acquire an employment visa for entry into Oman, a resident card to remain in the country and a residence permit. In Oman, all these documents apply to employees who are between the age of 21 and 60 who have received a job offer from an Omani company. The employer becomes the visa sponsor and will usually obtain the necessary visas and permits from the Ministry of Manpower.
The cost of living in Oman is 25.13% lower than in the United Kingdom (aggregate data for all cities, rent is not taken into account) and it is currently listed in 68th place in the Global Index for Living Standards. As Oman has no personal income tax, it’s a popular choice for tax and transfer pricing expats.
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Additionally, the capital Muscat ranks 103 of 209 in Mercer’s Cost of City Living Index. The rankings demonstrate how currency fluctuations and shifts in the prices of goods and services affect the purchasing power of expats in Bahrain.
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However, it’s very important to compare your living expenses and make sure that your tax salary will be able to cover it all. Here’s an idea of what tax and accountancy professionals should budget for.
Housing
Rent Per Month
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
Average - €569.42
Range - €279.65 – €932.18
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
391.34
Range - €233.04 – €582.61
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
Average - €971.61
Range - €466.09 – €1,864.35
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
Average - €656.71
Range - €419.48 – €1,048.70
Transport
Oman’s public buses service the entire county – from the port city of Sohar in the north to Salalah over 1,000 kilometres south. These buses are run by a state-owned transport company and are highly affordable. Their connectivity and affordability make them ideal for travelling long distances.
Oman’s orange and white private taxis are almost ubiquitous. They aren’t fitted with meters and prices can vary widely depending on whether you are willing to share a ride, can negotiate effectively and don’t mind waiting for a driver who lowers their price. They are the most common form of transportation in Oman, linking cities, neighbourhoods, villages and governorates. These taxis are typically found along the main roads of every city and major town, making it easy for tax and Transfer Pricing expats to travel around the city.
For more information, see Oman’s Ministry of transport
Schooling
Throughout the Gulf, expats prefer to send their children to international schools, where the risks of a culture shock in terms of language barriers and learning processes are minimised. Oman, chiefly the capital Muscat, has a good range of international schools, many of which offer a British-style curriculum and internationally recognised qualifications such as the International Baccalaureate. A full list can be found on the Expat Arrivals website as well as the curriculums each school follows. Attending an international school allows children to make the transition across countries slightly easier. Places in these schools fill up quickly, therefore it is recommended that organising schooling be a priority before arriving in Oman.
Utilities (Monthly)
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
Average - €46.70
Range - €23.30 – €69.9
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)
Average - €0.13
Range - €0.07 – €0.23
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
Average - €62.61
Range - €46.60 – €81.56
If you are interested in a move to Oman or anywhere else in the world and would like to speak to Kingpin International about International Tax Opportunities, across Direct Tax, Transfer Pricing or Indirect Tax please contact a member of the team. Alternatively, view our current International Tax vacancies.