Moving to Oman

[PearTreeBoat]

I've just been offered a job in Oman working for the Omani Royal Air Force and trying to decide whether to take the job or not.

I am a single female with no kids, package includes free accommodation on the air force base and a salary split into GBP and local currency, all tax free.

I'm struggling to see what, if any, tax implications I may have in the UK as 2/3'rds of my salary would be paid into a UK bank account in GBP, whilst the remaining salary would be paid into a local account in local currency. I haven't lived in UK for over 9 years now, live in a Crown Dependency, so haven't paid tax in UK for many years.

Also, what other things will I need to consider? I know the weather will get extremely hot in the summer and that i would need to dress much more conservatively than I would at home, shoulders covered etc.

You need to seek specialist advice on that, sounds very unusual. As you don't currently live in the U.K. can you not use an off shore account?

My one thought was, are you making adequate pension provision, if you are British, buying ni each month might be a good idea

I would be using a pound sterling international account; it was more the fact that the company paying this portion of the salary is registered and based in UK so presumably employees would be set up as PAYE.

By the sounds of things this is a fairly common set up, UK based companies employing British nationals for positions in the Middle East but don't seem to be able to find any info on where tax might be paid, I know the local paid portion is completely tax free.

With a warning that this information is extremely out of date, family and my DH met in Oman. They loved living there, and DH was very friendly with several people serving with the Omani forces. Climate is glorious from end October to May, the countryside is spectacular, and outdoor activities are excellent. Socially you would be well placed to meet people, and it's very sociable.

Oman also used to be one of the most relaxed Islamic countries. When I first visited, it was extremely rare to see urban working women veiled or wearing the abaya, though many did wear a light scarf over their hair. I never felt out of place in linen trousers and shirts. But the summer is very hot and humid. DH was working for a UK company so his NI contributions were paid and he has a full UK pension, which tells you our age.

Thank you @XingMing I'll also be working for a UK company so NI can be taken care of, and I've been assured tax isn't an issue as is based on where you live/work not where the company is registered.

As I'll have to live on the Omani Royal Air Force base, I have asked for pictures of the accommodation and clarification if I have to leave the country for a minimum amount of days per year to comply with my visa.

If these all check out, I think I've made my decision to go! Much better to regret the things you tried rather than the things you didn't as they say!!

DH's salary was paid half in Oman and the rest went into savings -- in Jersey I think. Don't know if that's still allowed. Oman is much modernised from our time, tourism is encouraged, cruise ships visit regularly and the population has grown enormously. I would go, if it was my choice!

I live in the UAE and have holidayed in Oman. There is no need to cover up when out in public, just dress respectfully (which generally means normal clothes if you're past 30!)

Your employer will have a dress code, knees and shoulders covered is usually the minimum but it can involve trousers and full length sleeves. Given the freezing AC, this can be a blessing.

Thanks both, I have today formally accepted the job and have a provisional start date of 30th Jan!! Best start to get organised as with Christmas the time is going to just disappear.

I'll be getting 2/3rds of my salary paid into my Guernsey account in GBP which will be transferred to my savings account and the remainder will be paid into a local bank in local currency so hopefully I'll soon start building up a nice health savings pot.

Congratulations @PearTreeBoat . I am sure you'll have a great time. Make sure you get out camping in the wadis and have trips up to the Jebel Akdar. There's blacktop all the way there now. Nizwa, Jabrin, Misfa and Wahiba Sands are all spectacular places, and at some stage go south to Salalah (associated with the Queen of Sheba) which has a monsoon season. The Queen of Sheba's beach is miles of white sand, and was deserted the afternoon we went.

That's fabulous! Make sure you get advice about having your certificates and qualifications attested - this is often required and can take some time.

Luckily my new job is based on my experience and skill set as opposed to actual qualifications, though I do have some qualifications that may be of use in the future so worth me looking into thanks.

@XingMing thanks for those recommendations, they are right up my street and will certainly be checking them out.

Still very nervous but definitely starting to get excited now

It might be different there, but here you have to submit your highest attested certificate (e.g. BA rather than high school, or MA rather than BA) as part of the visa application process. It's not related to the job you do.

@losingit31 ah, in Oman you only have to submit evidence of any qualifications that the company deemed essential for the position when first advertised. Well, that is certainly what I have been told by the company and is also the way I have read the application process online.