Residents » Documents » Residence Visa

Before getting a visa you must get a no objection certificate (NOC). This is an official document stating that neither your Omani sponsor nor the government has any objection to your entering the country.

There are two types of residence visas – one for employment (when you are sponsored by your employer) and one for residence only (when you are sponsored by a family member). Normally, you or your employer will apply for a residence visa at the Oman embassy in your country of origin, before you leave for Oman. Your sponsor should organise everything related to your visa, including payment. On arrival your company's PRO or your sponsor will take you to the Royal Oman Police (ROP) station on Death Valley Road to be fingerprinted. Those working must have labour clearance and an employment residence visa; spouses and family members are each issued with a 'joining family' residence visa. It is illegal to work on a joining family residence visa, even part time. If you wish to work you must get an employment visa. If you are working for the same sponsor as your spouse, exchanging the visa is usually a simple process. If you obtain a job elsewhere, you must transfer sponsorship to your new employer and go through the whole process from the beginning. Your new sponsor will do what's necessary.

It is advisable, if possible, to try to avoid doing this (or anything which requires the involvement of government departments) during Ramadan, when everything tends to slow down until after Eid, by which time there will be a huge backlog! The ROP is located near Muscat Private School on Madinat A’Sultan Qaboos Street (Death Valley Road), and the phone number is 24 600 099.

Most expats seeking employment or applying for residency in Oman must have a health certificate from their home country, stating that they are free from illness and not carrying any communicable diseases. UK citizens are currently exempt, although this could change at any time.



Sponsorship by Employer

Your employer should handle all the paperwork, and will usually have a staff member (who is thoroughly familiar with the procedure) dedicated to this task alone. This staff member is usually called the PRO, which stands for public relations officer. After your residency is approved, they should then apply directly for your labour clearance. You will need to supply the essential documents (p.XXX) and your education certificates. You must have your certificates attested by a solicitor or public notary in your home country and then by your foreign office to verify the solicitor as bona fide. The Oman embassy in your country of residence must also sign the documents. Wh...