Job Discussion Forums

[what to do?]

Hi y'all!

I'm new on here but have been visiting for years but need help maybe. I'm American, based in UK with British wife and kids and have worked out of USA for 20 plus years. Last year I worked in Ibri but quit as I just can't imagine fetching the family out there. Now I've got a job offer in Muscat, bit less money but better t&c in general. My only concern is that last year the employer, an agent, sent me the visa before I came but this employer, a private college, is saying to come in on tourist visas and they will convert them later. I know this isn't allowed in Saudi but is it ok in Oman?

[MuscatGary]

The tourist entry visa route used to be the norm but as far as I'm aware it was changed last year. Mind you it could have been changed back again....

[veiledsentiments]

I last came in on a tourist visa. The private college employer had offered to get me the usual entry visa for employees, but when I told them I already had the visa, they said no problem, they could change it over. Like MGary said, the law supposedly changed, and you might want to query them about the change in the law. Perhaps they haven't brought anyone in since the law changed so they aren't aware of it... or like so many things in this part of the world, enforcement of the law may depend on who you are and who you know in the ministry.

VS

[madrileno]

Just last year I switched employers in Oman. When the time came to change my visa, my new employer said there was no need to do a visa run to the UAE. I literally went in to the ROP office in my city, they canceled the visa, and issued a new one all in the same visit.

You could ask your employer if they're positive this route is still permissible. If they insist its fine, I would trust them. The worst thing that could happen this late in the game is your employer's mistaken, so they'll fly you to Dubai or Abu Dhabi for a quick visa run and get a new one when you fly back to Muscat.

*edited for spelling

[MuscatGary]

[what to do?]

Thanks for the help so far. I contacted them and madrileno is right, they say that after two months they will fly me into Dubai and then straight back. Muscatgary I haven't got an NOC from Ibri, didn't leave on good terms to put it mildly...

They're offering 1300 OMR including accommodation allowance. Is this enough to live on in Muscat?

[CANDLES]

Yes, if you were single, but as a family man it'll be tight! Ask for more!

As a single person I was paid OMR1000 outright: (package was about OMR1250). I paid for the utility bills: gas, electricity which was around 20-30 every month or even less, depending on the season.

[MuscatGary]

[Sleepwalker]

I think you should research school fees - they will take a massive chunk out of your salary and then look at accommodation costs.

[MuscatGary]

[balqis]

Yet highly unlikely, verging on impossible, that any Muscat college will pay you more [ save the military, as they say].
And mind you, but u will be surrounded by Asians there, your colleagues from India, Pakistan or the Philippines, doing exactly the same job - well, perhaps not with the same charm - for half of your pay-to-be, so you will have to keep the pay amount for yourself, if only out of shame, not to be discussed publicly with your colleagues.

Muscat is notorious for this Asian-only/mostly educational mileau.
Asking for more, tangibly more, I would say a risky move.

[veiledsentiments]

Both employers that I worked for in Oman paid all of their teachers based on their credentials, not the passport. YMMV...

VS

[MuscatGary]

[veiledsentiments]