Moving to Salalah

Last activity 09 July 2018 by flying_sahdow

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MsturrockNew member06 July 2018 22:42:43

Firstly. Apologies. These questions have probably been asked and answered many times over.
Nonetheless, if anyone can spend a little time passing an eye over this post and maybe a comment or two, it would be very welcome.

My wife has just gained a job in an international school in Salalah. My wife and I, as well as our three kids are very excited about the prospect of moving from Scotland to Oman.
As part of the package, we have; school places for the kids and accommodation allowance.
Few queries;
1. At the moment, I do not have a job. What sort of visa would I need. As far as I am aware, I can accompany my wife, but would have to leave exit and reenter Oman monthly until I have an employer that can sponsor me.
2. Accommodation. We have been looking at rental properties on the OLX website.In the UK rent is advertised at Monthly repayment amount. Lots of properties on the OLX website but it is not very clear over what period the rental rate is at. If anyone can answer this one, it would be very helpful.
3. Any recommendations on where to live would be very useful too.
4. Is there much of an expat community in the area?
5. How expensive is it to live in Salalah v's nearby towns/areas.
6. Can my wife and I drive on our UK drivers license?

Bit of a punt this one but, I am Geologist by training, but have spent the last 5 years working as a project coordinator doing environmental science/hydrology. I specialise in land/bathymetric gps surveying and mapping. Any chance my skillset and experience would be useful to employers in the Dhofar region?

Any advice on any of my queries (or anything else for that matter) would be very much welcome.

Msturrock

flying_sahdowActive member07 July 2018 06:20:28

First of all welcome to Oman

1. You can get family visa sponsored by your wife, as there is a new rule where expats. can be sponsers see the link here
http://timesofoman.com/article/136915

2. In oman most of cases are monthly paid rent with annual contract. In other words you have to sign rent contract for one year ( renewable) and the payments are per month

3. It depends on where the work place of your wife is located. However, since you are still new to the country I would recommend you Salalah down town or New Salalah ( in Arabic Salalah Al Jadidah) where all facilities and service are just close

4. Yes, mostly Asians with some minor mixture of Americans and Eruopeans. In Muscat they are more

5. This one depends on the accomodation you are hiring. Food and transporatation are not that expensive

6. Yes, you can as long as you have valid visit visa. If you decided to reside in Oman you have to obtain Oman's driving license

you can check FAQ in Oman Police webise here

MsturrockNew member07 July 2018 09:34:19

Thank you so much for your prompt response. Very, very helpful.
We are due (or at least my wife is due) to arrive by late next month, so not much time.
If you don't mind me asking, do you live in Salalah? Was wondering how things have recovered since Cyclone Mekunu?

flying_sahdowActive member07 July 2018 12:01:26

You are welcome and I wish you good stay in Oman.
I am from Muscat and still I am not sure how the situation now in Salalah after they cyclone, but as far as I know that people have already started their seasonal tour to slalah to enjoy the weather and things are fine with them.

MsturrockNew member08 July 2018 22:46:58

Oh my goodness.
It seems to all be coming together so quickly.
Things coming into place. Hopefully not too many trips along the way.

flying_sahdowActive member09 July 2018 04:45:33

You will an enjoy extraordinary weather totally different than the boiling one in Muscat if you arrived within couple of months. You are so lucky lemme say

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