Working In Oman

A Profile On What To Expect When Working In Oman

The following information may be of help in deciding whether you would be interested in a quantity surveying or construction job based in Oman.

Currency

The currency in Oman is Omani Rial (OMR).
The lastest exchange rates and currency conversions can be obtained by clicking here

Political/ Religious Climate

Islam is the main religion and the Sultan is the Head of State, ruling as Prime Minister with the advice of a Cabinet of Ministers (which he appoints). Visitors are asked to respect local Muslim customs: for instance, modest dress is essential and taking photographs is also a sensitive area for which permission must be sought.

Culture and Leisure

There is a wide range of leisure time activities to keep you occupied in Oman with many sandy beaches offering good bathing, diving and sailing facilities. Many hotels have pools. There are also three private sports clubs with water-skiing and fishing facilities. The waters of the Gulf of Oman and the North Indian Ocean are populated by black marlin, swordfish, tuna and sailfish making them ideal for game fishing.

Caving is also popular in Oman . Majlis al-Jhinn is the world's second-largest cave; its long passages, crystal-clear streams, canals and drip curtains extend throughout its four million cubic metres expanse.

There are many sports clubs based in Muscat offering facilities for tennis, squash and karting . Hockey, football, volleyball and basketball are popular spectator sports and matches are staged at the Wattayah Stadium.

Shopping is also very good with a wide range of choice from new shopping malls to the old souks.

Muslim law forbids alcohol, but most hotel bars and restaurants serve alcohol. Visitors are only allowed to drink alcohol in licensed hotels and restaurants. To buy alcohol for home consumption, Western nationals must obtain a licence from their embassy.

Thursday and Friday make up the Oman weekend. Ramadan, which takes place at a different time each year on the Western calendar, is strictly adhered to throughout Oman. This means that eating, drinking or smoking in public from sunrise to sunset is not permitted.

Weather/Climate

The best time of year in Oman is between the temperate months of mid-October to mid-March. Southern Oman has a monsoon season unlike other Gulf countries, and this lasts from June to September. October is a good time to visit Oman because in Dhofar everything is green and lush, and the rest of the country is pleasantly warm.

Accommodation/Transport/Education

Standards of accommodation are generally good in Oman, with some first-class properties available.

Local urban bus services are not recommended by some people for expatriates, but air conditioned coach services between major centres can be booked in advance. To drive a car, a local licence must be obtained from the police by presenting a national driving licence or International Driving Permit. Oman has no railways.

There is a selection of suitable fee-paying schools for expatriate children in Oman for children up to 18 years of age. Teaching is in English and they follow the British and American curriculum.

Maxim Recruitment can not offer any type of financial, taxation or immigration/visa advice to current or intending jobseekers, however we are aware of some organisations that are specialists in offering expatriates such advice.

Search Vacancy Database

Take a look at our Middle East job vacancies:

Search Overseas Quantity Surveying & Construction Jobs

Newsletter

Get construction industry news relating to the UK, Canada, Asia, the Middle East and other worldwide locations.

Subscribe

Testimonial

“My experience with Maxim was very good. They were very understanding and I felt that he wasn't pushing his own companies’ interests over mine, which I find many recruitment agencies tend to do.”

Senior Quanity Surveyor, Dubai

Send Us Your CV

Need help finding the ideal job? Want to save time when searching?

Let usĀ find your next job.

Send Us Your CV

Register for Job Alerts

Maxim Insights

Hiring Trends | Staying Ahead in the Professional Construction Talent Market

In today's competitive hiring market, simply posting a job ad and waiting for the right applicant to apply won’t cut it. With growing demand, talent shortages, and shifting candidate expectations, construction firms must adapt their recruitment strategies  or risk being left behind.…

Read more »

How to Attract Top UK-Based Quantity Surveyors for International Projects

We specialise in helping global firms source the best UK-based talent for overseas opportunities. Here's how to optimise your recruitment strategy and stand out in a busy construction job site marketplace.…

Read more »

The Real Cost of a Bad Hire | And How Specialist Recruiters Reduce the Risk

Whilst on the face of it, using a construction recruitment consultancy may seem to increase the cost of recruitment, if you are looking to build a high quality and profitable workforce that meets client needs, a construction recruitment consultancy service is well worth the cost. Lets take a look at this further.…

Read more »

What’s the Difference Between a Quantity Surveyor and an Estimator?

At first glance, both Quantity Surveyors and Estimators are concerned with costs. They work with numbers, evaluate drawings and specifications, and aim to ensure that construction projects remain financially viable. However, their involvement in a project's lifecycle—and the purpose of their cost-related work—differs significantly.…

Read more »

Working abroad | How international jobs can transform your life and career

Working abroad as a Quantity Surveyor isn’t just a career move — it’s a life-changing experience. Whether you’re drawn to the innovation of Norway, the tax-free rewards of Dubai, the relaxed pace of Barbados, the natural beauty of Canada, or the structured progression in the UK, each destination offers a unique blend of opportunity, growth, and lifestyle.…

Read more »

Industry News

Morgan Sindall raises targets as growth keeps coming

Another set of record results from Morgan Sindall has prompted it to raise its sights.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 29 July, 07:13

Read more »

Kier signs for Mepal crematorium

Kier has officially signed a contract with East Cambridgeshire District Council to build a new crematorium.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 29 July, 06:43

Read more »

Morgan Sindall starts £115m Ardrossan campus

A little later than expected work is now ready to begin on a new community campus in Ardrossan, North Ayrshire

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 29 July, 06:15

Read more »

Fears for quarries from landfill tax hike

The government has been warned that its landfill tax reforms could backfire rather badly, with dozens of quarries at risk of being no longer viable and construction costs soaring.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 29 July, 06:10

Read more »

Vistry/Kier JV plans South Wokingham development

A joint venture between Vistry and Kier Property has acquired house-building land in Berkshire.

Source: The Construction Index Last updated: 28 July, 02:37

Read more »