cost of living in muscat

Thanks Sumitran,

As per your view, what is possibility of getting job for my wife in depended visa.. She is  a graduate of BE CSE with 5 years experience...

Balajisd wrote:

Thanks Sumitran,

As per your view, what is possibility of getting job for my wife in depended visa.. She is  a graduate of BE CSE with 5 years experience...

Hi Balajisd,

As per the rules of the and, no expatriate can work until and unless they are on a proper 2-year employment visa.

So if you wife wants to work she has to have her own employment visa stamped in her passport and a separate resident card which will carry her sponsor's name.

Again, as per the law, no expatriate employee is legally allowed to work for anyone other than the one whose name / registered company name is printed on the resident card under the sponsor's heading.

Mr sumitran,

Sir i apologize for asking you this directly. I am on Visit and have only up till next week to decide. Please help me.

I am an Indian and a BTech Computer Science graduate.
I was working in Kerala,India and have 4 years of work experience in Hardware and Networking and currently got an offer from Oman for 275 Oman Riyals Per month.

They are offering 225 OMR +Company Accomodation or 50OMR per month HRA  + Transport allowance + Car and fuel after getting my liscence + Medical Card+ Visa +Ticket for annual leave after two years.

the job profile is of customer technical support for which ill have to be ready on call no matter what time or day it is. i wont get overtime. the only advantage is they will get me certifications i need to handle my day to day job. I did ask for a raise  (after my probation period) to which he refused and said he will consider it only after first year.

upon asking about visa he said it may take upto one month to process since it is a startup.They asked me to get my degree certificate "apostille". what is the diffrence between "apostille" and norka attestation? and are they trying to get and engineer clearance for their company?

I want to know whether this 225 OMR is enough for living expenses, because i need to save some amount . I am on visit visa which will expire soon.

Please please advise. Im really sorry for keeping it long. Thank u.

Hi hellraiser666,

Salary offered for a B.Tech graduate with 4 years of work experience is a shame. Just for your information, the minimum wages for a local is more than what you have been offered. That means even the semi-literate driver in your company would be getting paid more than you.

If you are seriously desperate for a job, take it. But be aware that the salary is a pittance. Being single, you can save some sum for sure. Also, you cannot shift jobs and once you join and if you leave, you cannot return for a period of 2-years.

Read all the details that are already available in the forum, please.

But on the whole, you would have to lead a life of compromise. The most important question you have to ask yourself is, do you really want to lead such a life ?

I'm just speechless by looking at the offered salaries now a days to engineers. And I dunno what message I should give to those (SO CALLED) Engineers who feel proud to accept these offers.

For such Engineers, please don't waste money and efforts to be an engineer. Get your twelfth standard done and open a coffee shop in Muscat like the rest of your fellas do. You'll soon be a millionaire. But please don't insult this profession. Don;t let these employers feel that being an engineer means nothing.  I urge to such job seekers. Please.

Dear Hellraiser66,

by now you must have known, the salary that has been offered to you is really really less, its like the employer is trying to exploit you. and you might also have realised how much the salary in in indian rupees. i guess you should not take up this kind of offer as in india, at any place you can get better salary than this one. i mean you can get more than 300 omr (50000 inr) with your experience, and believe me, you can have better life with that salary at india than here.

Dear Sumitran,

does that mean, if his wife do find a job here and employer is ready to give her work visa, she can not take it, as being on dependent visa her resident card must be reflecting her husband's employer name.  or can she just return to india and cancel the resident card or something?
i am asking this as soon i might be facing the same dilemma.

arharsh46 wrote:

Dear Sumitran,

does that mean, if his wife do find a job here and employer is ready to give her work visa, she can not take it, as being on dependent visa her resident card must be reflecting her husband's employer name.  or can she just return to india and cancel the resident card or something?
i am asking this as soon i might be facing the same dilemma.

Hi arharsh46,

If a wife does manage to find employment in Oman, then she must necessarily cancel her family visa, fly out of Oman and come back again, on her employer / sponsor's employment visa only. There can be no other way.

Also, she will get a new resident card which will mention her employer / sponsor's name and her designation.

Thanks a lot sumitran

Just to add a comment here,  recently one of my known female contact got a very nice job offer, however her visa was rejected due to the reason of temporary visa ban on female expats. The Ministry of Manpower clarified to her sponsor that the visas are being issued, mainly for Female Lecturers, Doctors, Nurses, Maids and in some rare cases (Mostly for europeans) engineers. All other categories are not allowed for the females as of now.

Hi, how much is the salary of machine operator in oman cables industry, i have 6 years experience in taiwan,  thank you

Award wrote:

Hi, how much is the salary of machine operator in oman cables industry, i have 6 years experience in taiwan,  thank you

There ain't any fixed rates of pay in this part of the world. The salaries are offered purely on the mutual agreement between the employee and employer. Most of the cases, employers win in general.

Approximately how much?

Award wrote:

Approximately how much?

Pretty smart.   Anything less than 4 figures. However, in some cases, like in the multinational offices, the pay could be in four figures too.

The employer offer me 350, free accommodation and transportation,

As what u r joining.
All care + 500 OMR will be good.

Im a machine operator only,

Hi All!
I am Paul from the Philippines! I receive an offer in Muscat Oman for the position of Delivery Dispatcher. Their total package is 658 OMR.
Breakdown:
Basic Salary - 400 OMR
Housing - 150 OMR
Transport - 55 OMR
Mobile - 20 OMR
Special - 60 OMR

Questions:
1. Is it enough for a single person to live in Muscat? I live a simple life and is capable of being economical or frugal.
2. How much is my potential savings per month based on my package?
3. Are there many Filipinos in Oman?
4. What are the basic things that i need to know if i plan to work in Muscat Oman? Thanks in advance!!

Sir are you single or living with your wife? i am also offered 400 OMR and is single. Is it enough to save money and send back home? i am from the philippines and i live a simple life. Thanks!

Hi PaulLopez,

A gross package of R.O. 658/- is a good deal for a bachelor status.

Find my comments against your queries, below :

1. Is it enough for a single person to live in Muscat? I live a simple life and is capable of being economical or frugal. - More than enough.
2. How much is my potential savings per month based on my package? - Easily more than 50% of your monthly salary.
3. Are there many Filipinos in Oman? - Yes indeed. There are many from the Philippines here.
4. What are the basic things that i need to know if i plan to work in Muscat Oman? Thanks in advance!! - (i) Make sure all your official papers are in proper order. Your designation as mentioned in your appointment order should match with what is printed on your resident card. (ii) Get everything from your company in writing and leave nothing to chance. (iii) Make sure what is promised during your interview is met once you join - specify a specific time period by which all the company's commitments must be met. (iv) Read the many posts in the forum on the woes faced by some expats who have gone through bad times with their employers. So be aware.

Hi there, I would like to ask if you have any idea about the range of salary for Bakers coz I was invited for an interview for a Baker position in RCA. Up to how much do you think I can negotiate?
Is 600-700RO + allowances, reasonable for a 7 years of experience as a Baker?  oh, and by the way, Happy New Year to all of us!

ricky_marcelo wrote:

Hi there, I would like to ask if you have any idea about the range of salary for Bakers coz I was invited for an interview for a Baker position in RCA. Up to how much do you think I can negotiate?
Is 600-700RO + allowances, reasonable for a 7 years of experience as a Baker?  oh, and by the way, Happy New Year to all of us!

I doubt anyone in here is related to this profession. However, i would urge to the members if anyone is a baker or have a knowledge related to the same.

Your salary will be depending upon how big the bakery scale is. They have small bakeries to the big brands in here.

Hello everyone,

firstly thank you all for your contribution on this forum, it has helped me alot on understanding about standard of living at Muscat.

I have been offer a salary of 350 OMR + accommodation+ transportation+ visa+ annual return flight take tickets to India+ incentives roughly over 200OMR per month by a reputed auto company, Is it enough to save and enjoy a good life?

How is economy doing and is it a good time to move to Oman now?

Hi s8rohit,

Your confirmed salary in hand is R.O. 350/-. Incentives would be performance based. hence would vary depending on how you perform.

Accommodation would have to be on sharing basis only. Your offered monthly salary is very low. But for a bachelor you can manage. Details of the expenses are already available in the forum, as you are aware.

Think well before accepting this offer, since it is not very attractive really. Also, I am sure you are aware that once you take up this job, you cannot shift jobs locally - whether you want to, or not.

You also cannot resign and return thinking you can rejoin some other company. If you resign and leave Oman, you will be automatically barred from entering the Sultanate for 2 years from the date of your departure.

If you have been keeping yourself updated on the fluctuating oil prices, you will know that the countries which are mainly dependent on their oil reserves for generating their revenues, are facing serious challenges. Oman is one of those countries.

If you are a fresher, without a job currently, and ready to take some risks, then you can consider this offer. If you are serous about your career and your future better to rethink.

Good luck !

Hi Sumitran,
This is Abhijit.
I have got a job in Sales and marketing in FMCG in Oman. Salary offered is 1500+250 (performance based Incentive) OMR. My questions:
(1) With a 'normal' living standard, what would be the cost of living in Muscat. Will I be able to make a good savings - Back in India, I get 1.4 Lacs in Hand and excluding all expenses, net savings is 0.95 Lacs.

(2) What will be the rent of 1BHK unfurnished apartment and is it advisable to buy used furnishings (refrigerator, a/c, washing m/c, basic furniture etc) or rent a furnished apartment, if staying for at least a year.

(3) Rent a car or buy a hatchback small car - which is profitable?
I am alone to stay and my family will keep visiting me once in a quarter.

*You might have answered these questions to others perhaps, but will be kind of you to again reply as it is cumbersome for me to search for the answers among so many replies

Not bad offer but... housing is costly 175 1 bk and where is your company located !!!!

Thanks Waynoos. The office is located at Azaiba.
Can you also please address my other questions asked?

yes but id depend your style how u like

Agreed mmkoman 3, but my point is with a descent average standard of living  how much money can I save per month... 
Also, can anybody reply on my other queries please?  I gave been requesting this first the third time...

You can have the Rent based on your taste... such as 1 bhk or 2 .... and used furniture is best opt but you must know whats the manufacturing year or you can add Muscat BUY RENT OR SELL in fb where the selling out directly posted by the moving families. this will help you out in great manner. with regard to car Rent a car is not a bad idea... but it seem you are trying to join in Sohar... so can I know which group it is.....

Thanks Waynoos for the reply. 
1Bhk is good enough for me. How much would the rent be in muscat for unfurnished one?  What would be the car rent per month?  And license fees in Oman?  Heard that it takes 6-7 months to get the license and is difficult task. 
How do you know that I am to join in Sohar?  (still  not decided for sohar or Muscat)

Hi.... its in your profile you mentioned that you are joining in Sohar..... Muscat is little bit costly on area basis.... but you can get good 1 bhk in 175 or little above

Car rent depends on your selection choice mainly its RO.10 or RO.15 per month but if you choose to purchase a new one you will get it in RO.65 or RO.110/- instalments depending on your car choice....

License is not so hard as you heard as here more rules and regulations you have to follow once you are behind the steering... else all roads are in track system....  my colleague joined August 2017 and he got last week the License..... it depends how fast you mould yourself with the rules and regulations of the road.... the fee is around RO. 20/- to get the Book for License and RO.7/- per day... for the instructor if you choose daily basis learning and each test RO.35/-*( this one I have to confirm)

http://www.oman.om/wps/wcm/connect/en/s … adripermit

Yes,  I had mentioned Sohar earlier but now there might be some development and my Location might now be Muscat.  Good observation though
Thanks for sharing information on license and cars. If car installment is so less,  is it good to buy a car (a normal budget hatchback car and not sedan)  rather than renting it? If planning to live for minimum 2years?

Thanks Waynoos once again.....  It's really nice of you to share the details to my queries and I am really  grateful to you.

Hi.. its ok... but for 2 years... the instalments may be more as expatriate here gets either 3 years or 4 years instalments options.... but there is always a choice of reselling or as I mentioned in fb group if you join... you can opt....

Ok. Thanks.
175 for 1BHK is descent for Muscat. I had speculated it to be around 250 RO. I am to live alone and I am okay for peripheral apartment (not in the city centre), provided I get car quickly.
Is taxi available on 'sharing basis' like we have in India?

Yes very much .....now the craze is the RED bus which is available every 20 minutes in Muscat Area

waynoos wrote:

Yes very much .....now the craze is the RED bus which is available every 20 minutes in Muscat Area

Ok.
(1) How about the internet, telephone tarrif and utilities bill? I will prefer high speed internet with unlimited plan. Also, does what's app calling work in Oman, unlike Dubai. if not, any other app like BOTIM.

(2) Does Indian handsets work with Omanese telecom - In a few countries, the Indian-make handset doesn't support the configuration - hence the question

(3) Also, what would be the average expense towards groceries (Is home-cook culture prevalent in Oman?)? If not, what is the average daily expense of three meals + breakfast in a city like muscat?

Hi Sumitran,

Thanks for your continuous help in this forum. I just moved to Muscat few days ago and I stay in the Azaiba area. Please, do you know which restaurant around here that can offer me the 3 times a day parcel service?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Hi Govmob,

I noticed your posts on the forum ... seems like you are terribly homesick ! You will get over it in no time really.

Azaiba has a huge concentration of Pakistani, Indian and Filipino expatriates. And getting food is no problem at all.

For food delivery / parcel service, walk around your own neighbourhood and you will find enough and more eateries. Talk to the ones you feel are up to your standards and liking and they will gladly do the needed.

In another post, elsewhere in the forum you had asked if there are any eateries offering African cuisine. Yes there are many ! Check out the Times of Oman supplement and you will find them listed. There are many Zanzibari restaurants, besides others offering the African cuisine.

Since there is a strong connection between Zanzibar / East Africa and Oman, there is no dearth of the African presence in the Sultanate.

Hi Sumitran,

I really appreciate your input here. Thanks a bunch.