Previously, the Communicable Diseases Control Department has issued health certificates for workers passing the stringent examinations. However, CDC also has to reject certain cases: many expatriates have to spend considerable amounts of money to enter Oman, only to find that they fail the health tests and are returned to their home country.


Additionally, children aged 12 and above will also need to supply health certificates as from 1 August 2001 in order to apply for a residency permit.

How do I get to Oman?
Seeb International Airport, located in Muscat, is served by many international airlines such as British Airways, KLM, Kuwait Airways, Swiss Air and Emirates. The national carrier is Oman Air which flies to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), India, Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, and Sri Lanka as well as performing domestic flights to Salalah, Masirah Island and Musandam.

Taxis or cars can be hired at the airport, or hotels will arrange for transport.

Residents in the UAE are able to drive to Oman by road. It is a journey of around 4 - 5 hours from Dubai.

Where can I stay in Oman?
Oman has a number of hotels, ranging in price from 'budget' to 'deluxe'. See list of hotels for further details

Can I drive in Oman?
Holders of International and most foreign driving licenses are able to hire cars. Remember to take your driving license and a copy of your passport and visa when going to the car-hire office. Most car-hire companies have a main office in the capital area, and a branch at Seeb International Airport. Consider whether you will need a four-wheel drive vehicle - do you intend to explore off-road or will you be touring the capital area only? See list of car rental agencies for further details.

How do I get to Salalah?
There are a number of ways to get there: by car, it is around a 9-hour drive, on blacktop road. The Oman Transport Company runs a coach service to Salalah, which runs twice daily, for RO16 return, or RO8 single. Oman Air flies daily to Salalah and the flight takes around 1 1/2 hours, at a cost of RO 60 return.

What immunisations do I need?
If you are travelling from an infected area, you will need a yellow fever vaccination certificate. If you intend to visit rural areas, or will be working in a hospital, you should have Hepatitis A & B vaccinations. Typhoid vaccination is also recommended for travellers to remote areas. According the World Health Organisation statistics, malaria occurs in 14 cases per 1000 inhabitants. In the Capital area, malaria is very uncommon and few long-term residents take prophylaxis. Check with your doctor a few weeks prior to your trip. It is wise to carry insect repellant, particularly during the winter months.

Is the water safe to drink?
Water is purified and treated eight times and is therefore perfectly safe to drink. However, due to its purification treatment, it can often taste of chlorine. Bottled water is readily available in shops and supermarkets.

What facilities are there for the disabled?
Most shopping malls and supermarkets have wheelchair access, disabled parking, automatic doors and lifts.

There are often disabled toilets in hotels and malls. In the supermarkets, the management will arrange for a member of staff to go around with you to assist you with your shopping.

What medical care is available?
Oman has a very high standard of health care. Hospitals in the capital area are staffed by medical professionals from all over the world. Emergency treatment can be obtained from the Royal Hospital, 24 hours per day. For non-urgent cases, there are many good health clinics which employ a number of male and female general practitioners and nurses.

Ensure that your medical insurance is up to date as treatment can be expensive and payment is required immediately. Pharmacies are located in all main residential and commercial areas. Duty pharmacies are open for emergency prescriptions and many drugs can be purchased 'over-the-counter'. However, if you are already taking prescription drugs, it is wise to make sure that you travel with a sufficient supply.

What public transport systems are available?
Many visitors, if not hiring cars, tend to use taxis, which are reasonably priced. There are a number of metered cab firms now. Agree the price first if using an orange and white taxi. Mini-buses travel all over the commercial areas, stopping and picking-up on request.

This form of transport is particularly cheap. The Oman National Transport Company is the state-run bus service which has a network of routes throughout the Sultanate. Long distance coach trips leave Ruwi bus station to the likes of Salalah for RO 16 return, making this a comfortable and cheap form of transport.

The national carrier, Oman Air, flies to Salalah, Khasab and Masirah Island and is the only airline to make domestic flights within the Sultanate. Masirah Island has a regular ferry service to and from the mainland, but all other boat services are provided through tour operators. There are no trains in Oman. Please see our public transport section for details.

What is the main language used?
Obviously, Arabic is the main language in Oman, but many Omanis learn English at school. Most businesses and shops use English. Should you wish to learn some Arabic there are number of good phrase books available in bookshops in the Sultanate.

Are there any safety precautions I should take?
You will be visiting one of the hottest countries in the world. Consequently, when you go outdoors, always make sure that you are wearing a high protection sunscreen which should be re-applied regularly (this can be purchased in any of the local supermarkets).

If you are travelling in remote areas, make sure that you carry large supplies of water, as dehydration can occur . When travelling through wadis or the desert, it is wise to go in a group or with a tour guide, in case of car trouble, and always let someone know where you are going and what time you expect to return.

Can I use my GSM in Oman?
Yes, Oman supports GSM communications.

How can I find work in Oman?

A new website, www.careeroman.com has recently gone on-line which you can peruse. Remember, however, that qualified Omani nationals are given priority over expatriates in jobs.

I am relocating to Oman soon. What type of accommodation is available?
Oman has a wide variety of accommodation on offer, ranging from cheap, sharing flats, to luxurious villas on the beach side, with pools and landscaped garden. Consequently, rents differ enormously. The more desirable the location, the higher the rent, so it is recommended that you shop around and ask other residents' or work colleagues' advice. You should also take into consideration whether the house is supplied with mains' water or is filled daily by Bowser tanker.

There are also a number of serviced and un-serviced apartments in Muscat, such as Safeer Hotel Suites and Hatat House.

Many new residents establish in temporary accommodation for the first few weeks of arriving here, giving them a chance to decide in which area they would like to live. A good way of finding a villa is to simply drive around the area of your choice and keep a lookout for the 'To Rent' boards. The main estate agents in Oman are :

• Al-Zawia Commercial Enterprises, Tel : 781 250
• Al-Habin & Co. Llc, Tel : 793 251
• Abdullah al-Harthy, Tel : 565 765
• Cluttons - Daniel Smith & Ptnrs., Tel : 564 250
• Hamptons International, Tel: 563 557
• Kehlan Trad. & Cont. Est, Tel : 684 227