Question 1

What emergency numbers do I need in Oman?

Accepted Answer

In Oman the general emergency number is 9999 for police, ambulance and fire. Calls are free, and one number reaches all emergency services. For labour problems such as unpaid wages, being made to work in banned hours, or your passport being held, contact the Ministry of Labour on 80077000, or file a complaint through the ministry portal. Save both numbers now. When you call 9999, say clearly where you are and what help you need. If you are in a workplace accident, call 9999 first for medical help, then tell your employer and the Bangladesh Embassy. Keep your Resident Card number and employer details ready in case you are asked.

Question 2

What must my Oman work contract say and what should I not sign?

Accepted Answer

Read the contract before signing. It should state your job title, your monthly wage in OMR, your working hours, the contract length, and who pays your return ticket. Do not sign a blank page or a contract you cannot read, and do not sign if the pay is lower than promised. Your job must match your visa. In Oman the employment contract is registered with the Ministry of Labour. Keep your signed copy. Under the 2023 Labour Law your wage must be paid into a local bank account, so make sure the contract reflects a proper salary. If the employer later hands you a different, worse contract, that is a warning sign and useful evidence in any dispute.

Question 3

What are the legal working hours in Oman?

Accepted Answer

Under Oman's Labour Law (Royal Decree 53 of 2023), normal working time is limited, with reduced hours during Ramadan, and you are entitled to rest breaks and a weekly rest day. You are entitled to paid annual leave of not less than 30 days. Overtime must be paid at a higher rate than your normal pay. If you are made to work long extra hours without overtime pay, write down your dates and hours, because that record helps if you complain. Your employer must follow the law, and a contract cannot legally remove these rights. If your hours break the law, you can report it to the Ministry of Labour.

Question 4

What is the cheapest way to get around in Oman day to day?

Accepted Answer

Oman has no metro or passenger train, so public buses are the main option. In Muscat, buses are run by Mwasalat. Fares are charged by zone: about 200 baisa for one zone, 300 baisa for two zones, and up to 500 baisa for three zones, paid in cash to the driver. There is a period pass available through the official Mwasalat app, but the public price was not confirmed, so check the app or mwasalat.om for the current cost. Many workers also use company transport if the employer provides it, or shared taxis, which cost more. For daily travel, ask Mwasalat about a period pass to save money.

Question 5

What is the summer midday work ban in Oman?

Accepted Answer

In summer it is illegal to make workers work outdoors in exposed areas during the hottest hours. In Oman the ban runs every year from 1 June to 31 August, and outdoor work is prohibited between 12:30 in the afternoon and 3:30 in the afternoon. This is set by the Ministry of Labour under the Occupational Safety and Health rules. Inspectors visit worksites, and employers who break the rule face fines from OMR 500 to OMR 1,000. If your employer makes you work outdoors during these banned hours, report it to the Ministry of Labour on 80077000. Rest in shade, drink water, and keep a note of the dates if you are forced to work through the ban.

Question 6

How do I open a bank account in Oman and can I be paid without one?

Accepted Answer

Under Oman's 2023 Labour Law your employer must pay your wage into your account at a local bank licensed by the Central Bank of Oman, through the Wage Protection System (WPS). So you normally need a bank account. To open one you usually need your Resident Card, passport and a letter from your employer. The employer often helps set this up when you start. Being paid only in cash with no bank record is risky, because you have no proof if wages go unpaid. The law puts the burden on the employer to prove they paid you. If you are still paid in cash after your Resident Card is issued, ask to be moved onto WPS bank payment.

Question 7

What is a normal rent for a bed space or shared room in Oman?

Accepted Answer

Rents depend on the city and area. In Muscat, cheaper migrant areas like Ruwi have bed spaces and shared rooms. Based on expat market reports, a bed space in Muscat commonly costs somewhere around OMR 40 to OMR 80 a month, and a shared room more, though prices vary widely. Sohar and Salalah can differ. Before you pay, see the actual room, ask what is included (electricity, water, internet), and get a receipt for any deposit. Never hand a large cash deposit to someone who cannot prove they control the property. Ask how many people share the room, because overcrowded accommodation can breach housing rules and lead to problems.

Question 8

Can I convert my Bangladeshi driving licence in Oman?

Accepted Answer

In Oman, driving licences are handled by the Royal Oman Police (ROP). Rules on converting a foreign licence depend on your nationality and your papers, and many workers must pass tests rather than getting a straight conversion. You need a valid Resident Card to apply. Check the current requirements and fees with the ROP before you start, because the process and cost can change. Do not drive on a foreign or expired licence, because driving without a valid Omani licence is an offence and your insurance will not cover an accident. If you do not qualify or cannot afford it, use Mwasalat buses or company transport instead.

Question 9

What is the Oman Resident Card and what if my employer delays it?

Accepted Answer

In Oman your residency ID is the Resident Card, issued by the Royal Oman Police (ROP). Your employer applies for it after you arrive and after your in-country medical and paperwork are done. The Resident Card proves you are living and working in Oman legally, and you need it for banking, a SIM postpaid line, and other services. If your employer delays it, you can be left without legal papers, which risks fines and problems. Ask your employer in writing to complete it. Keep copies of your passport and visa meanwhile. If the employer keeps refusing, you can raise it with the Ministry of Labour, and the Bangladesh Embassy labour wing can also help.

Question 10

What is the legal maximum I should pay to migrate to Oman?

Accepted Answer

The Bangladesh government fixed a maximum legal migration cost for Oman of Tk 100,780, part of its 2016 migration-cost schedule. This covers the main official costs. In practice many workers report paying much more. Paying above the legal ceiling is against the rules. Before you pay anything, check that the recruiting agency is licensed by BMET, and always demand a receipt. Register on the Amiprobashi app and obtain your BMET clearance card, which you need to fly legally. If an agent asks for a very large cash amount with no paperwork, treat it as a danger sign and verify before paying. Keep all receipts as proof of what you paid.

Question 11

Can I change my employer in Oman?

Accepted Answer

Oman has eased the old rules. The No-Objection Certificate (NOC) requirement and the two-year re-entry ban were abolished by ROP Decision 157/2020, which took effect in January 2021. This means an expatriate can now change employer without an NOC in defined cases. Under the 2023 Labour Law your employer must also give you a release from liability when your contract ends or you leave. Even so, follow the correct process: get your paperwork in order before you move, so you are not reported as absconding. If your employer blocks a lawful transfer, raise it with the Ministry of Labour on 80077000. Check the current conditions before you act, as details can change.

Question 12

My wages are unpaid or late in Oman, what is my first step?

Accepted Answer

Keep proof first: your contract, bank statements showing missing pay, and any messages. Then file a complaint with the Ministry of Labour. You can call the Ministry of Labour call centre on 80077000, or file online through the ministry portal. Under the 2023 Labour Law, if your employer does not pay wages for two straight months, you have the right to end the contract and, importantly, you can stay in Oman until your claim is resolved. Do not just stop working without advice, as that can lead to an absconding report. The ministry can order the employer to pay. Bring your Resident Card and contract copy when you file.

Question 13

What medical test do I need before flying to Oman?

Accepted Answer

Before travelling to Oman you must pass the Wafid (GAMCA) medical test in Bangladesh at a Gulf-approved centre. Book on the Wafid website, bring your passport, and get tested before you fly. It checks for diseases like tuberculosis, hepatitis and HIV. You need a fit result before the work visa proceeds, and the result is sent electronically to Gulf authorities. The fit slip is valid only for a short period, so do not test too early. In Oman there is also an in-country health check after you arrive, run by the Ministry of Health, for your residency. Keep all your medical papers. If you are declared unfit in Bangladesh, you cannot travel to fix it on arrival.

Question 14

What is the safest and cheapest legal way to send money to Bangladesh from Oman?

Accepted Answer

Use a licensed exchange house or a bank, never hundi. Licensed exchange houses in Oman are regulated by the Central Bank of Oman and give you a receipt and a tracking number. Hundi is illegal, gives no receipt, and you can lose your money with no way to recover it. When you send through a legal channel, your family in Bangladesh can also receive the government's 2.5% cash incentive on the amount. To send, bring your Resident Card. Compare the rate and fee at a few exchange houses, as they differ. Keep every receipt. Sending money legally protects it and builds a record of your income.

Question 15

How do I get a SIM card in Oman and which is cheapest for calling Bangladesh?

Accepted Answer

Oman's main operators are Omantel and Ooredoo. Buy a prepaid SIM at an operator shop with your passport, which is needed to register. A prepaid starter costs around OMR 2 with some credit and data. Important: normal WhatsApp and Skype voice calls to phones are blocked in Oman. To call Bangladesh legally and cheaply, use the Ooredoo Talk app, or buy an international minute bundle from your operator. That is a good reason to compare Omantel and Ooredoo before choosing. Once you have your Resident Card you can switch to a postpaid plan. Keep the SIM registered in your own name so you keep control of your number and can top up easily.

Question 16

Is it legal for my employer to keep my passport in Oman?

Accepted Answer

No. Under Oman's Labour Law (Royal Decree 53 of 2023), Article 6, an employer may not keep a worker's passport or personal documents except with the worker's written consent. Breaking this can bring fines of OMR 500 to OMR 1,000 per worker under Article 147, doubled for repeat offences. If your employer has taken your passport and will not return it, ask for it back in writing first. If they refuse, you can report it to the Royal Oman Police or the Ministry of Labour, and the Bangladesh Embassy labour wing can help. Keep copies of your passport photo page and visa saved separately, so you always have your details.

Question 17

Are there rules on how many workers can share accommodation in Oman?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Oman has worker-accommodation standards, and authorities carry out raids on illegal and overcrowded housing, especially in areas of Muscat like Muttrah and Hamriya. Workers found without valid papers, or living in breach of rules, can be detained, and those harbouring illegal workers can be fined. Before you rent, ask whether the accommodation is legal for workers and how many people share it. Overcrowding raises fire and health risks and can lead to eviction. If your employer is meant to provide housing, that accommodation should meet the standards. Keep your Resident Card and papers valid at all times, so a housing inspection does not turn into a residency problem for you.

Question 18

What is the end-of-service benefit in Oman and is it changing?

Accepted Answer

When your job ends in Oman you are entitled to an end-of-service benefit from your employer, based on your wage and years of service. Oman also introduced a Social Protection Law (Royal Decree 52 of 2023) that creates a Social Protection Fund with a savings scheme for expatriate workers, expected to be funded by a monthly contribution, which over time is set to replace the old lump-sum gratuity. Because this system is still being rolled out, check the current mechanism that applies to you. When your job ends, ask your employer in writing for the calculation and payment, and get your release. If payment is refused, file a complaint with the Ministry of Labour.

Question 19

How do I register with the Bangladesh Embassy in Oman and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

The Embassy of Bangladesh is in Muscat, in the Shatti Al Qurum area. Registering means the embassy has your details and can reach you and help faster in an emergency, a wage dispute, or if your passport is lost or held. Bring copies of your passport, visa, Resident Card and work contract. The embassy has an Expatriate Service Cell and a labour wing that handle worker problems. Office hours are Sunday to Thursday, 8:00 to 16:00. Save the embassy numbers in your phone. Registering early, before any problem, makes it easier to get travel documents and support later. Do not wait until something goes wrong to make contact.

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