Job Discussion Forums

[anyway]

I was wondering if a criminal background check is required for employment in Oman. From what I've gathered, it might only be required for teachers working for the government. Please let me know where you work and if a criminal background check was required.

Thanks!

[jdl]

It may not be a requirement but it is often requested. If you have a clean record, my advice would be to get the check done and include it as either part of the application package or upon request.

[anyway]

If I had a clean record, then I wouldn't be worried about it...haha

I should also have asked at what point this check is required. Does one need it in hand on arrival? Or does one simply request it after arrival and have it mailed to Oman?

My state has a self-access check available online (therefore immediately) and also a certified (stamped) check available through the mail. Their website says the records released are exactly the same. The only difference then is the 2-3 week wait for the certified check to arrive throught the mail...

[jdl]

A record with felonies is different than one with misdemeanors from an employers point of view.
If you do have a record, then my advice is "If they don't ask...don't tell". Misdemeanors can easlily be explained by youthful indiscretion while a felony is a deal breaker for employment in many cases.

Tell me does a criminal record affect one's ability to get a passport in the US?

Get some professional advice on this one. Most of what you get here will be hearsay, second/third hand and usually case specific to an individual. In other words, almost useless to you in this consequential matter of getting accurate information affecting your employment.

[anyway]

Good question about the passport. I don't know, but I think it probably does affect one's ability...especially a felony... This might explain why Americans don't go abroad much...haha

I'm certainly not going to tell them if they don't ask. I just don't want to fly all the way there to have the ministry ask for it and send me back home. I just lost out on a job because of a last minute 'reminder' (they'd never mentioned it in the first place) for a criminal record check. Honestly!!

I would really like to hear from someone who had to submit their record with an (adult) arrest on it but got the work permit anyway...

[veiledsentiments]

I've never encountered anyone who had to submit such a report in Oman. There was a discussion of this not long ago and no one chimed in. I worked for the government and it wasn't requested back then.

There is a security check done by the Omani government, but I don't know if they would encounter your indiscretion... unless you spent many years in prison.

VS

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

[jdl]

I did some checking and criminal record does have an impact on acquiring a passport both is the US and Canada; but the real problem seems to be in aquiring a visa or entrance to a foreign country.

As Never says getting a passport in the US with a criminal record is possible with a few exceptions, one of which is a drug related trafficking conviction. Again as Never suggests a passport may be refused if one is under charge, parole or other similar court imposed travel restrictions.

The real problems begin when one tries to cross borders with a record in tow since different countries have different tolerances and frankly varying degrees of rigour in monitoring. The US and Canada seem to have become more rigorous recently with entrance to either country being denied to individuals on the basis of a recorded criminal past.

Regardless of what is a 'right or a perk' one is well advised to investigate the intricacies of cross border travel especially now with integrated data bases, retinal scanning and goodness knows what else in play. Who knows what pops up on the screen when your passport is scanned at border control?

Once again 'anyway' I would strongly recommend you see your local passport acceptance facility and speak to an advisor there for clarification. As you say you would not want to arrive on foreign soil with your newly minted passport to find yourself being denied entry or worse being detained for 'irregularities'.

Here are a couple of links for you http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1201.html

The first explains how to get a first time passport and the second talks about some of the information stored on individuals for reference by law enforcement agencies nationally and internationally