Oman Expat Health Insurance Guide

Today, unlike its brash, shiny neighbour The United Arab Emirates, Oman generally has a far more traditional feel. Here one can experience ancient architecture, sleepy towns and markets that have barely changed in centuries. Travellers have commented that Oman is what the Arab world used to look like, before the sudden influx of cash; a place of peace, character and jaw-dropping scenery.

Juxtaposed against the traditional Muslim culture of Oman are all the mod cons and the modern outlook that one might expect from an oil-rich nation. Indeed, it has been argued that Oman’s cultural outlook is rather more advanced than many other Middle Eastern countries, with women receiving far more rights than many of their neighbours.

This makes visiting Oman a real pleasure. On the one hand there is so much to see and experience that expats and travellers frequently fall in love with the country. Equally the largely forward-thinking politics mean a far more accepting and less restrictive social outlook that can make integration far easier.

With tourism the fastest growing industry in Oman, surely some of the most memorable travel experiences of your life await you here.

Oman has a fascinating culture which helps to make it one of the most appealing destinations in the Middle East. While Oman has oil reserves, these are far smaller than those found in neighbouring countries. As a result, Oman represents an opportunity to explore a more traditional Middle Eastern culture without the high-rise gloss of the UAE.

Oman is defined as an “absolute monarchy” which means it is run by a head-of-state, Sultan Qaboos. Sultan Qaboos is the longest-serving leader in all the Middle East. The sultan is ultimately responsible for everything that happens within the country. While there is a government to help with the management tasks, in essence the sultan can over-rule any decision.

Oman is a traditional Muslim nation. While foreigners are not expected to take part in religious life, a degree of respect is quite reasonably expected. Visitors are generally allowed to dress as they feel comfortable though extra effort should be made when visiting mosques and other areas of religious significance. Full-length trousers should be worn by gentlemen while ladies should aim to cover shoulders, arms and ankles to prevent offence.

It has been estimated that expats make up roughly a quarter of the Omani population. For this reason, expats will find themselves well-served in this country. A broad range of languages, cultures and cuisines sit side-by-side as a result, and most expats find this diversity makes integration both easy and rewarding.

The official language in Oman is Arabic. The cosmopolitan nature of Oman however means that a wide range of languages are spoken and understood. English is almost like a second language that can be understood by many Omanis.

If you plan to visit one of the bigger cities like Muscat it is safe to assume that communicating in English throughout your visit should pose very few problems. On the other hand, the further you venture into rural areas the less likely it is that someone will speak your language. In such cases, it can be a wise idea to hire a native translator.

Healthcare has been a focus of public policy for the last few decades and Oman now offers some of the highest quality care in the world. A report in 2001 by the World Health Organization ranked the quality of care in Oman as number eight in the world.

While high standards of care can be expected, medical care in Oman can be expensive. Expats and tourists will be expected to pay for their own medical care so fully-featured health or travel insurance for expats should be considered obligatory.

The ambulance service in Oman is a recent addition and there have been complaints about the speed of service received. It seems to be taking the drivers some time to get used to the process. It has been suggested by some experts that it may be better to drive a patient to hospital yourself, rather than waiting around for an ambulance that may get lost on the way.

The currency in Oman is the Rial. Unlike many other countries around the world, US Dollars are not readily accepted so a supply of the local currency should be maintained. Note that within the major cities credit cards are regularly accepted, though should you venture into more rural areas cash will normally be required.

As a Muslim nation the working week runs from Sunday to Thursday. It is important to bear this in mind as visiting a bank on a Friday or Saturday can consequently be rather problematic in Oman.

For long-term expats considering opening an Omani bank account there is one interesting point of note that you be aware of. In Oman it is illegal to bounce a cheque, a situation that can lead to imprisonment.

Take extreme care therefore before writing a cheque from an Omani bank account, and note that in the case of bounced cheques you will normally be expected to fulfil your commitment before being allowed to leave the country.

Oman has an impressive educational system which now boasts adult literacy rates of almost 90%. That said, while expat children are more than welcome to attend local schools, the Arabic language and alphabet can make it difficult for children.

It is therefore normally preferable to enrol children into one of the many international schools present in the larger cities like Muscat. There have been grumbles recently about rising tuition costs so do your research fully in advance. Wherever possible confirm prices before enrolling your children in order to avoid an unpleasant surprise down the road.

It is worth noting that schools in Oman largely stick to the same holidays as schools in the UK which can make the transition from one school to another rather easier. You could, for example, choose to move during the long school summer holiday, allowing your child to complete their last full year at home before commencing a brand new year in Oman.

While Oman offered no universities whatsoever before 1986 there are now a number of high quality institutions available when compulsory schooling finishes.

Oman is generally considered to be a very safe country to visit with minimal crime rates. As always though, a little caution is advisable. For one, keep valuables with you at all times so as to avoid unwanted attention from petty thieves.

Note that it is a crime to criticise or insult the Sultan or his government in any form – this includes digitally. Therefore you should aim to keep any negative opinions to yourself while on your visit. Be aware that both Omanis and visitors alike are expected to keep identification documents on them at all times and police may request documents at any time.

Besides the possibility of accidents on the road the other source of harm can come from surprise flash floods. While Oman may not receive too much rainfall each year, when it does arrive the rain can cause flash floods that take drivers and pedestrians by surprise. This is especially so in the mountainous regions so pay attention to weather reports and take precautionary steps as necessary.

Oman is a large country with a history dating back thousands of years so it should come as no surprise that the country offers tourists a huge range of experiences. Those with an interest in history will find themselves particularly well-served by the wealth of ancient buildings and towns.

Here are some of our top recommendations for those visiting Oman: