Your first 90 days in Oman: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · September 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
Your residence belongs to your sponsor, and while the 2021 reforms removed the No Objection Certificate requirement for changing employers, leaving a job still ends the sponsorship and starts a clock. Confirm your own status and any contractual notice terms before resigning, and never let the resident card expire.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
Complete the resident card (bitaqat muqeem) process with the Royal Oman Police after your employer secures the labour clearance and employment visa
The medical examination and resident card must be completed within 30 days of arrival on an employment visa
Almost all residence is employer-sponsored under the kafala framework, though Oman introduced a long-term Investor Residency Programme (5 and 10 year) in 2021 that allows self-sponsored residence for qualifying investors and property buyers.
Get your Civil number on the resident card
Oman levies no personal income tax, so the civil number — not a tax number — is the identifier for banking, utilities, healthcare and every government service.
Assigned by the Royal Oman Police with the resident card; businesses register separately with the Tax Authority for corporate tax and VAT.
Open a bank account
Bank Muscat, NBO and Sohar International open accounts on the resident card and a no-objection letter from your employer — the employer letter is a real requirement, not a formality. The rial is pegged to the US dollar and there are no exchange controls, so remitting salary home is straightforward.
Enrol in healthcare
Government healthcare is provided for Omani citizens; expatriates rely on employer-provided insurance, which has been mandatory for private-sector workers under the Dhamani scheme. Private hospitals in Muscat are good, and complex cases go to the UAE or Europe. Confirm what your employer's policy actually covers, including dependants.
Sort your driver's license
Residents from a list of countries — including the US, UK, Canada, Australia and the GCC — can convert their licence to an Omani one without testing on presentation of the resident card and an eye test; others must take the Omani driving test. Driving is on the right.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in Oman: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Oman?
Complete the resident card (bitaqat muqeem) process with the Royal Oman Police after your employer secures the labour clearance and employment visa — The medical examination and resident card must be completed within 30 days of arrival on an employment visa. Almost all residence is employer-sponsored under the kafala framework, though Oman introduced a long-term Investor Residency Programme (5 and 10 year) in 2021 that allows self-sponsored residence for qualifying investors and property buyers. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the Civil number on the resident card and do I need one?
Civil number on the resident card is Oman's personal tax/ID number. Oman levies no personal income tax, so the civil number — not a tax number — is the identifier for banking, utilities, healthcare and every government service. Assigned by the Royal Oman Police with the resident card; businesses register separately with the Tax Authority for corporate tax and VAT.
Can I drive in Oman on a US license?
Residents from a list of countries — including the US, UK, Canada, Australia and the GCC — can convert their licence to an Omani one without testing on presentation of the resident card and an eye test; others must take the Omani driving test. Driving is on the right. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Oman?
Government healthcare is provided for Omani citizens; expatriates rely on employer-provided insurance, which has been mandatory for private-sector workers under the Dhamani scheme. Private hospitals in Muscat are good, and complex cases go to the UAE or Europe. Confirm what your employer's policy actually covers, including dependants. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Oman's system treats foreign residents.