While it's not recommended for anyone to go to Oman to look for a job, it's important to ensure you have a proper job offer and a visa before traveling to the country. However, even though it has been made more difficult in the past years to change jobs locally, many expatriates still want to find a better position while working for their current company.
There are many opportunities when you are in the country, but many companies will not allow you to move to a competitor or leave after what they have spent on your visa and training.
Securing a position in Oman
Therefore, many companies make you sign a non-competition agreement to ensure you won't be able to work in the same industry for a few years after you finish your contract or once they terminate you.
Once your contract is close to its expiration date, generally 2 years, you can check with your management to see if they are ready to let you go. Some companies are more flexible than others and could even support you in this move.
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In general, employees willing to shift to a different company are terminated and sent back home so the employer doesn't lose the visa clearance and will be able to replace you with an expatriate once he finds a suitable candidate. Although the Omani government has announced that a Non-Objection Certificate from the previous employer isn't needed anymore, it is still required in many cases.
If an Omani company hires you, they will generally assist and support your relocation. First, they should bear the cost of your air tickets to Oman and provide housing during the first few weeks. It is crucial to make sure of this before you travel.
There is a high demand for skilled handymen in Oman as the country keeps growing and expanding with major projects in the pipeline. However, it is mandatory to receive a proper job offer before traveling to the country, as it is prohibited to work on visit visas.
It is also crucial to make sure the company hiring you has visa clearance for your position. Visa clearances are gender-based and go along with many requirements in terms of certificates and experience. A visa clearance is granted to a company that is allowed to hire a foreigner for a specific position. It is the first step before an employment visa is provided to the company. The Omani Ministry of Labor regularly checks to make sure people are working for the right company and for the job they have been hired for.
Certificates must be approved
Counterfeit certificates—including educational achievements, job certifications, and other official documents—are a significant concern in Oman. The creation, sale, or distribution of fake documents is a serious offense under Omani law, carrying penalties such as fines, imprisonment, and deportation for foreign nationals. Using or producing counterfeit certificates can lead to immediate job termination, legal repercussions, and a ban from future employment opportunities. To combat this, employers and government agencies in Oman rigorously verify the authenticity of credentials. Foreign certificates must be authenticated by the issuing country's authorities and the Omani embassy or consulate. The Omani government is intensifying its efforts to curb certificate fraud, implementing stricter oversight of recruitment processes, and ensuring that educational institutions and employers thoroughly check qualifications.
High requirements for skilled workers in Oman
Oil and gas industry
The major industries hiring expat workers in Oman are based on upcoming projects. It used to be mainly the oil and gas sector, but Oman has highly diversified its economy in recent years, requiring foreign labor in many fields. Oil and gas are still central stones in Oman's economy and contribute significantly to its GDP. Foreigners are generally hired for lower and highly specialized jobs, such as engineers, geologists, supervisors, managers, and technical consultants. The local workforce is now also actively working in this sector, and priority is always given to a qualified local rather than an expat.
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Many jobs are in remote locations and based on shifts. Expats can also be based in an oil field for an entire year until they have their vacation time to go back to their home country.
Construction and infrastructure projects
With all the projects coming up, skilled expat workers are always required in the construction and engineering sectors.
Since many major companies in this sector are owned and managed by foreigners, they tend to hire employees from their home country if they have visa clearances available.
Most firms operate from small to major projects, both private and public. The main projects are related to buildings and road networks. There is a wide range of positions in this sector, from plumbers and electricians to engineers and construction managers.
The booming hospitality sector
Oman's tourism and hospitality sector has been rapidly growing in the last decade to attract more tourists to the country. The Government of Oman has invested significantly in tourism infrastructure as part of its economic diversification strategy under the Vision 2040 plan. This sector includes hotels, resorts, restaurants, travel agencies, tour operators, and other tourism- and travel-related services.
Oman is positioning itself as the destination of choice for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE). Facilities such as the Oman Convention and Exhibition Center in Muscat support this segment. The future of Oman's hospitality industry looks bright with continued investment in infrastructure and a growing desire to attract high-budget travelers.
However, many locals don't take jobs in this field, as it often requires extended working hours during the peak season. Expatriates remain the main labor force for all types of jobs in this sector and can be hired by a hotel or even by a local restaurant. You can easily see in Oman that the cooks and waiters in most places are foreigners.
The health sector
Due to a lack of qualified local manpower and ongoing requirements, many foreigners work in the healthcare sector, and private hospitals and clinics are expanding their facilities.
Healthcare professionals must be licensed to practice in Oman. The Ministry of Health (MOH) and other regulatory bodies, such as the Oman Medical Specialties Board (OMSB), oversee the licensing process. This typically includes a qualification test, an exam, and a professional interview.
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Both public and private companies employ expatriates in high numbers. Although Arabic is the official language, English is widely used in the healthcare sector.
Good to know:
Fluency in English is essential, and knowledge of Arabic can be an advantage.
Some local tests and approvals might be needed, depending on the role you are applying for. It is essential to check the ongoing requirements before traveling to Oman.
The education sector
With the expansion of private and international schools in Oman, expatriates are also needed in the education sector. During the past decades, more local women have started working and can't wait for the legal age of 6 to put their children in public schools. On the other hand, the families' incomes have increased with two working people in the Omani families, allowing them to spend more on their children's education.
Most of the non-Arabic-speaking foreigners are hired in private schools with English as the main foreign language. Administration jobs tend to remain for locals with good English skills, but teaching positions are open to expatriates. All levels are hiring, from nurseries to higher education institutions and vocational training centers, including international and private schools. Each school has specific English-level requirements, but all require the employee to have at least a degree in education. Those certificates are checked by the Ministry and can be rejected if they are not from an approved university.
Good to know:
Most teaching positions in Oman are for women, and the gender is specified on each visa clearance given to the institution.
If you receive a job offer from Oman, it is mandatory to make sure all your papers are approved and up to standard before signing your contract. Oman's education sector offers a wide range of opportunities for expatriates, including international and private schools, higher education institutions, and vocational training centers.
Back office positions in the banking sector
Oman's banking sector offers lucrative opportunities for expatriates, especially those with specialized skills and international experience. The growth of the sector and the stability of the country's economic environment make it an attractive destination for banking professionals.
Though you might not see them when you go to banks in Oman and believe this sector is only for locals, many expatriates are actually in their back offices, not facing the customers directly. Local banks are continuously improving their banking channels and, therefore, require skilled labor, especially in IT.
Good to know:
For specialized positions in the banking industry, certifications such as CPA, CFA, FRM, or ACCA are highly valued.
Expansion of key industries
Even if the manufacturing industry in Oman is developing slowly, many major projects are coming up mainly to cater to local requirements, especially for the oil and construction industries as well as food processing. Expatriates with previous experience in such factories are highly needed at all levels, from general laborers to plant managers.
The renewable energy sector in Oman is gaining momentum as the country seeks to diversify its energy sources and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. Oman's commitment to sustainable development and its rich natural resources, including solar and wind energy, provide many opportunities for growth in this sector. As a result, there is a growing demand for qualified professionals, including expatriates, in various renewable energy sectors.
Expatriates with previous experience in this field are required not only as instructors to teach and train the local workforce but also for technical roles and research positions. Most of the new projects are expected to be partially powered by renewable energies. Therefore, many industries have specific requirements for expatriates. On the other hand, many other developments are also expected in the future and will need strategic finance experts from abroad.
Foreign investment and international trade agreements can bring new opportunities for expatriates, especially in commercial, logistics, and industrial projects. The growing focus on technology and innovation, including digital transformation and automation, will create demand for professionals with expertise in information technology, cybersecurity, data analytics, and other technology-related fields.
A challenging future for the expatriate workforce
The future of expat workforce in Oman depends on several key factors, including the country's economic diversification efforts, labor market regulations, and demographic changes. The vision of Oman 2040 depends on oil and aims to diversify the economy with other sectoral developments such as tourism, logistics, production, agriculture, fisheries, mining, and renewable energy. A long-term policy aims to increase the employment of Omani citizens in labor.
Despite the focus on Omanization, there remains a demand for expatriates in highly specialized technical fields where there is a shortage of qualified local experts. Oman's labor laws and visa regulations continue to evolve, affecting the recruitment and employment of foreign nationals.
Job hunting in Oman
In general, all sectors in Oman are always looking for an affordable and qualified workforce to fill the growing opportunities in the country. Your best chance of finding a suitable opening is probably to get to know someone working or having a business there.
Networking
Recommendations and networking are the keys to a successful and long-lasting career in Oman.
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Meeting with local contacts is essential to finding a job in Oman, so many people tend to travel for a short visit to drop their CVs at companies where they would like to apply and to meet expatriates from the same country of origin or with the same mother tongue. People can apply for a tourist or a short visit visa for this purpose but shouldn't start working until they are granted an employment visa.
The lack of recruitment agencies
There are very few recruitment agencies in Oman, and the existing ones mainly bring new workers from abroad. Many of them only specialize in domestic workers. However, many international recruitment agencies are working with major Omani businesses to hire qualified workers.
Although many job offers are available on social media platforms, many are only given to contacts of the management or of existing or past employees.
Attending events
You should also attend industry events and conferences regularly. These are great places to meet potential employers and learn more about job openings. Most events take place at the convention center in Muscat. The most reputed events are related to home decoration and building materials and energies, such as Project Oman or Oman Plast.
Events also provide an opportunity to meet with experts, exchange knowledge, and stay on top of industry trends. If you still have time to spare, you can participate in online forums and discussion groups related to your industry.
Applying for a job in Oman
Resume
When preparing a CV to apply for jobs in Oman, it's essential to tailor it to local expectations while ensuring it reflects your qualifications, experience, and skills effectively. Oman's job market, especially for expatriates, is competitive, and a well-structured CV can make a difference. Write a brief professional summary that highlights your career achievements, key skills, and what makes you suitable for the role you're applying for. Keep it concise and focused. Highlight also specific accomplishments (e.g., projects completed, targets met, or process improvements) and, if possible, include measurable outcomes. It's common in Oman to include references, or you can simply state: "References available upon request" at the bottom of your CV. Be sure to have contact details for your referees ready in case they are requested later.
Cover letter
When applying for jobs in Oman, it's a good idea to include a cover letter that introduces yourself and explains why you're a good fit for the position and company. Keep the letter concise and personalized. Ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors. A well-written cover letter reflects professionalism.
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