Job Discussion Forums

christmas · Joined: 27 Jul 2009 Posts: 49

I just got my residency approved to start my job in august.
Can someone tell me what the procedure is for the work permit?
I'm thinking of going to the Omani consulate and getting my degree rubber stamped to avoid hassle when in Muscat.

omanoman · Joined: 11 Jun 2014 Posts: 140

It's always a good idea to have stamps on everything before coming but if the sponsor hasn't asked for them yet, then what is the nature of your approved "residency" ?

It is not that common to actually have a visa approval so early in advance, I would even use the phrase "unheard of" . Can you explain more what has been communicated to you?

The residency card process is Docs + pictures submitted and approval - medical check done - visit to the police immigration office for the card making. Each step can take it's own time and the quickest turnaround would be a week to 10 days I would think.

madrileno · Joined: 19 Aug 2010 Posts: 270 Location: Salalah, Oman

I agree with omanoman. I've never heard of someone getting their residency approved before entering the country.

Almost everyone comes in on a tourist visa which is later changed to a residency visa after all the documents are approved and stamped by the appropriate ministries here in Oman.

MuscatGary · Posted: Mon May 04, 2015 12:13 pm Post subject:

omanoman · Joined: 11 Jun 2014 Posts: 140

It's always been possible to be given the visa before you arrive but I think quite rare in practice. The reason? some medical clearances for one but mainly, the risk of the new hire changing their mind before they come, as is often the case when employees shop around. If the visa is given and then never actualized ( is that even a word?) then the sponsor has a difficult time replacing the visa , similar to an absconding employee. At least 3 months I think for waiting to clear the visa left hanging.

Of course, wasta changes everything but for those without it, there is a risk not worth taking.

Whatever will be · Joined: 05 Feb 2014 Posts: 303

MuscatGary · Posted: Tue May 05, 2015 12:55 am Post subject:

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I think that there might be a confusion of terminology. While for a few years (late 90's/early 00s), one could use a tourist visa and the employer could easily convert it, since the 80's most came in on a short term "work" visa... which involved visiting the window in the airport, and then the employer arranged the medical tests, finger prints, and the passport was taken in to get the labor card and work/residency visa stamped in the passport which was good for a certain number of years - my first one was for 4 years as I recall.

My second job I came in on a tourist visa as it was already in my passport and it saved my employer the time and effort to get the normal entry visa for employment. They appreciated saving the money. But as has been mentioned, they stopped allowing that system - probably because it cut government income.

VS

1st Sgt Welsh · Posted: Tue May 05, 2015 10:42 am Post subject:

omanoman · Joined: 11 Jun 2014 Posts: 140

True, everyone has different experiences and also perceptions about those experiences. In Whatever's post, all of those complaints or suspicions can be explained by the bureaucracy here and time for processing, rather than as a Machiavellian plot to undermine teacher's rights.

But hey, it's not paranoia if it's true, right ?

Whatever will be · Joined: 05 Feb 2014 Posts: 303

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Fortunately from the majority of posts here, whatever's experience seems to be mostly his/her own and not shared by the majority of the teachers.

VS

Whatever will be · Joined: 05 Feb 2014 Posts: 303

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

In the last year there have been 150 threads posted on the Oman board... and the majority of the posts on these threads were NOT done by the regulars.

And still your experience seems to be mainly yours... at your employer which you won't identify. Instead of helping, you are merely blackening every employer's reputation based on your own, seemingly rather unique, experience.

Things have certainly gone downhill in Oman since they went to the recruiter system. None of the regulars have sold it as a "wonderful TEFL experience", but as an entry job to future jobs in the Gulf market where there is money to be made... it has just never been in Oman.

VS

Tazz · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 512 Location: Jakarta

I can't see the harm in outing a recruiter-if they are engaged in such vile tactics as keeping passports-which is, of course, totally illegal. Hardly puts ones anonymity at risk.......