Job Discussion Forums

[spillthebeans]

It takes a short time to process a work visa in Oman, once the letter of employment is in hand.

There has been a lot of debate on this forum about whether or not to allow employers to withhold passports. Personally speaking, I wouldn't allow any one of the Omani Tech Colleges' employment agencies to hold my passport indefinitely, because if they did they would effectively be holding me hostage.

FYI The tech colleges in Oman are crap places to work, and getting worse. Try somewhere else is my advice.

[veiledsentiments]

My last employer held my passport, but it was no big deal. It is all about having a trustworthy employer. If I wanted mine, I merely had to ask and they went to the safe and handed it to me, no questions asked. I figured that it was more secure than it sitting about in my flat.

That said, I wouldn't leave mine with these contractors indefinitely either. And it shouldn't take them more than a couple days to get the visa and labor card. By current Oman law, they shouldn't be holding your passport - except for the short time it takes to get the visa.

No these are not great jobs, but they will get your foot in the door to the Gulf job market. Get a year or two on the CV and the better jobs will be easier to get.

VS