Oman To Raise Expat Visa Fees By Half

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Oman To Raise Expat Visa Fees By Half

Oman’s Ministry of Manpower has announced work visa fees for expats will increase by 50%. Fees for private sector workers will rise from OMR201 ($522) to OMR301 ($782).

Times of Oman cited an official as saying the change would become law when it is published in the official Gazette. The official told the publication a fee of OMR5 would also be charged to change a worker’s status or to switch their sponsor.

Ahmed Hamoud Al Shabibi, managing director of construction firm Al Shabibi Global LLC said the fees would affect his business. “Already we are struggling due to the economic conditions. We will be in trouble,” he told Times of Oman. Workers also indicated concerns that the fee increases would be taken directly from their salaries.

The new fees come as the country seeks to tackle a large budget deficit, rising to $9.1bn in the first half of the year.

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.