Oman (OM)

Oman is one of the most welcoming and stable expat destinations in the Middle East, offering a unique blend of ancient Arabian heritage, dramatic natural landscapes, and a rapidly modernising economy.

Capital: Muscat

Region: Middle East

Language: Arabic

Currency: OMR (ر.ع.)

Cost of living: Moderate (index 58)

Emergency: 9999

Education & Schools

Schools, universities, and language courses in Oman.

👶 Childcare & Kindergarten

Nursery (Hadhana) OMR 150–400/month (private)

Age: 0–4 years

No government nursery subsidy for expatriate children. Costs are met entirely by families, though some employers include a childcare allowance in expat packages.

Apply directly to the nursery; provide passport copies for parent and child, birth certificate, and vaccination records. Most nurseries accept rolling enrollment throughout the year.

⏱️ Popular nurseries near expat residential areas (Qurum, Al Hail, Madinat Sultan Qaboos) fill quickly — register 3–6 months in advance.

Kindergarten (Rawda) OMR 100–350/month (private)

Age: 4–6 years

No subsidy available for expat children. Government kindergartens are for Omani nationals only.

Register in February–March for September intake. Submit passport copies, birth certificate, and previous nursery references if applicable.

⏱️ Waitlists are common at popular schools attached to international primaries. Register in February–March for a September intake.

🏫 Schools

Private International (expats) or Government Arabic (Omanis only) Paid

Madrasah Ibtidaiyya (government) / International Primary School

Ages: 6–11 years · Language: English (international schools); Arabic (government schools — not recommended for non-Arabic-speaking expat children)

Apply to the chosen international school in January–March for a September intake. Required documents: passport, previous school reports, vaccination records, and birth certificate. Waiting lists are common at the most popular schools (British School Muscat, ABA, GEMS).

Government schools are Arabic-medium and are generally not suitable for expatriate children unless they are fully Arabic-speaking. A small number of government schools accept expat children in limited numbers. The international school system in Muscat is excellent but expensive, with fees ranging from OMR 3,000–8,000/year depending on the school and year group.

Private International Secondary (IGCSE / A-Levels / IB / American curriculum) Paid

Madrasah Thanawiyya / International Secondary School

Ages: 11–18 years · Language: English

Mid-year transfers are possible but places are limited. Most schools use an October–February registration window for the following September. Required documents: current school reports, personal statement for older students, and an entrance assessment at some schools.

Key secondary schools in Oman: British School Muscat (BSM) — British curriculum (IGCSE/A-Levels), ages 3–18, fees OMR 4,800–8,500/year; ABA (American-British Academy) — US and IB curriculum; GEMS Modern Academy — CBSE/Indian curriculum; Indian School Muscat (ISM) — CBSE, very affordable for Indian expat families at OMR 600–1,200/year, the largest school in Oman by enrollment; Al Batinah International School (Sohar). School fees are sometimes tax-deductible from End of Service Gratuity negotiations or covered by an employer education allowance — confirm this with your employer during contract negotiation.

International Schools

Muscat offers one of the strongest international school ecosystems in the Gulf. Key schools (2025/26 fees): British School Muscat (BSM, DfE-registered; OMR 3,800–9,200/year from Foundation Stage to Year 13, plus OMR 2,700 development fee for new entrants; Qurum/Darsait campuses); American British Academy (ABA, NEASC-accredited; OMR 4,620–9,340/year from KG to Grades 11–12, plus one-time OMR 3,000 building fee); GEMS Modern Academy (CBSE Indian curriculum, OMR 2,500–4,500/year); Indian School Muscat (ISM, CBSE, OMR 600–1,200/year — largest school in Oman by enrollment); Knowledge School (British curriculum); Muscat International School (MIS); Al Sharqiya International School (Sur); Dhofar University-affiliated schools (Salalah). Outside Muscat, options are more limited — Indian curriculum schools operate in Sohar, Salalah, and Nizwa. School fees are typically included in employer expat packages. Apply by January for a September start. Ministry of Education (MoE) accreditation is required for all schools operating in Oman.

University

Tuition fee

Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) — public, highly selective: OMR 1,000–2,500/year for expatriate students (heavily subsidised for Omani nationals). Private universities: OMR 2,500–5,000/year (University of Nizwa, Dhofar University, Muscat University, Middle East College). Scholarships and bursaries available at most institutions. Some universities offer 2-year foundation programmes for students not meeting direct entry requirements.

Semester fee

Registration and activity fees typically OMR 50–200/semester. Some private universities charge additional laboratory, IT, library, or sports facility fees on top of tuition.

Student visa

Student visa is tied to university enrollment; the university acts as the official sponsor and files for the residence permit; annual renewal required; part-time work is not permitted on a student visa

Health insurance

Mandatory health insurance for all students in Oman; the university may offer a group policy or require students to obtain their own. Budget approximately OMR 100–200/year for basic cover.

Application process

SQU: competitive admission; Arabic language proficiency required for most programmes; apply via the SQU admissions portal. Private universities: direct online application; English proficiency typically required (IELTS 5.5–6.5 or equivalent). Apply by April–May for September intake. Non-Omani students must hold valid student visa and residence permit.

🗣️ Language Courses

Arabic for Expats

Provider: Language Centre at Sultan Qaboos University; private language schools including Berlitz, AMIDEAST, and various local institutes in Muscat · Duration: 3 months (approximately 40–60 contact hours) · Levels: Beginner to Advanced (MSA and Gulf dialect options)

OMR 100–400/course

Learning Arabic, even at a basic conversational level, is highly regarded by Omani colleagues and employers. Arabic skills significantly broaden job opportunities, particularly in government-linked sectors and traditional industries.

English Enhancement

Provider: British Council Oman, Berlitz Muscat, private tutors · Duration: Varies — typically 8–16 weeks per level · Levels: A1–C2 (CEFR aligned)

OMR 150–500/course

Popular among South Asian expats and Omani nationals seeking career progression or international qualifications. British Council offers Cambridge exam preparation (B2 First, C1 Advanced, IELTS).

Workplace Arabic (Government) Mandatory

Provider: Ministry of Labour vocational training centres · Duration: 1–6 months depending on role and proficiency target · Levels: Business Arabic (professional/functional level)

OMR 0 (employer-funded)

Required for some public sector expatriate roles where Arabic is necessary for day-to-day job performance. Funding and scheduling arranged by the employer in coordination with the Ministry of Labour.

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