Hi all,
Long time lurker, first time poster! First off top marks to you all for providing a really excellent guide to all things middle eastern... a truly valuable resource! I know there are so many posts enquiring about prospective packages etc, unfortunately I can't seem to find any which fit my own profile. Anyway background is I'm a Chartered QS with 10 years experience and I've recently being offered a position in Oman, I know construction in the middle east is on teetering on the edge of a cliff...but unfortunately construction in the UK is at the bottom of the cliff, so not many options! I am recently married with no children, so our plan is to move to the ME for a few years, experience another culture whilst hopefully saving a few quid!
The offer I have been made is 27000 AED per month, plus accomodation, car, one flight home per year and a bonus of between 1 and 3 months salary on top.
Does this sound like a reasonable offer, and with regard to relocation expenses what would be viewed as the norm to be included in a package?

Also regarding flights, do companies pay for spouses flights...I'm guessing not, but gonna put the question out there anyway!

Regarding visas when my wife joins me in a couple of months, our plan is that she will work as well (MBA marketing), what sort of visa should she apply for to allow her to move over with me initially and then look for work.

I do apologise for the lenght of my post, but any help would be gratefully appreciated!

BH2008

Hello long time lurker

You dont say how old you are or how much exp you have, this would be helpful for yr salary.

Furniture allowance not mentioned?

Repatriation - you have not mentioned this either, this is important, just in case you are fired or you leave, make sure there is a paid flight home paid by the company.


Companies in UAE usually offer wifee and children flights also, not sure re Oman, but there are some Oman posters who can help you more

Make sure everything is in writing, ie yr package

As for visa for wife, if it is the same as the UAE, you sponsor yr wife and when she gets a job, you give her employer yr permission to work and her employer gets her a labour card so she is legal to work

Oman may differ slightly to the UAE

Have you been to Oman, to have a look and see if you like it?

Good Luck

AC

Hi Anna,
Thanks for your quick reply! To answer your questions, I am 33, there was no mention of a furniture allowance...what would be typical? I never thought about repatriation, but you are right, I should try to get included. The flights for my wife would be nice, but won't be a dealbreaker, we are both keen to move out, so it's more important to get a reasonable package and solid me experience rather than squeeze every last drop out of negotiations! I'm planning to head out to Oman for the first time in the next week or two, I've read quite a bit on it on the web, and to be honest it sounds great (if my impression is correct), more of an outdoor lifestyle than dubai and more laid back, both of which would be right up our street!

BH2008

Take it my son

Take it. Since accommodation and car are provided for, your monthly income should go a long way. You will easily save a lot of quids, which is helped by that Muscat is a quiet town and the pressure to go out and spend nightly isn't there.

In fact, if you and your wife are careful, you could live on 4,000 AED a month for food and basic entertainment and bank the rest.

Hi all, again thanks for your replies,...a little mix up, what I stated earlier as the offer was what the recruitment guy had said I would be getting, I just got off the phone with the employer :embaressed_smile:, they're actually talking about a package of 27,000AED with car, medical insurance and flights along with the bonuses paid at the end of the contract term (2 years), This means I will have to look at getting accomodation myself,(he said a 2 bed should be got for 550 OMR).....I'm really sorry for the change in details of the post...does it still sound reasonable (I'm getting the impression I'm being squeezed by the employer! )

I retract my earlier endorsement. You won't get much for 550 per month.

I started to get that sinking feeling alright during my conversation with the employer...what would be considered normal rent for a two bed...800 OMR??
My gut feeling is that this still could be ok...?

Not sure re rental prices in oman, but in AD they are mental. If you are going out for a visit, prior to accepting the job, best to do the real estate agents, to see what the market prices are. Employers do often paint rosy pics for you to accept the job.

Oman is lovely, far nicer than AD , but thats only my opinion.

Hi Anna, Thanks for your help, thinking aloud...was looking on the web, I think its 800 - 850 OMR for a 2/3 bed, which would be 7500-8000AED p/m, as Ethos83 reckons we could live on 4000AED, say even 6000AED, it still leaves a decent amount to put away each month...and Oman sounds really nice!
On a side point I enjoy road cycling and running at home, what would be the general consenus on road cycling in the middle east...is it safe?

Have a think about scaling down your accommodation. We, like many others, came out her (to Dubai) thinking we would get a two to three bed. We, like many others, ended up taking a one bed. There was more availability of them, and at the end of the day we aren't going to be here more than a couple of years and the main goal is saving cash in these tough economic times. We figured we could make do with one less bedroom and pocket the difference, which can be substantial. Just food for thought. Are you also aware that in Dubai and Abu Dhabi (and I assume Oman is similar) you generally have to pay your years rent up front in either one or two cheques. This is another reason to downscale. Certainly in the UAE over the past few months land lords are becoming more flexible but don't expect to be paying it month by month just yet, you will need to come up with a lot up front. Check with your employer whether they will give you an advance for this and take it out of your monthly salary, makes it a lot easier for you

oh and re the cycling and running. Oman (you are looking at Muscat?) is pretty laid back and quite and from memory it is fairly pedetrian friendly, unlike the UAE which is a night mare. Your main problem will probably be the heat come the summer months

Sorry for the late reply, been busy.

Anyway, I have been in Muscat for 7 months now so I will give you my view. Accommodation here is falling in price rapidly, the villa I live in is around 20% cheaper now than when I moved in (next door up for rent). Regards repatriation, its the law in Oman so dont worry on that front. Regards flights for family, not heard of anybody not being offered flights for family.

Re your wife, she can come out on a visit visa for 2 months and in the meantime either get herself a job and claim her own visa or if not you can get her a family joining visa through your employer, she cant work on this but can be changed for a full visa if need be.

Muscat is a very laid back place in comparison to Dubai (I'm there couple of times a month), it really is a very different place to live but I prefer the quiet life.

Finally, the salary is not fantastic but you can have a nice lifestyle on it, for reference a 3 bed apartment is currently around 800 rials per month.

Edited to say, most landlords will take 6 months up front if you push them rather than 12 months.

With regard to the visiting visa,this is something I have looked into as I too have a job offer in Oman,and I was under the impression you could get a single entry visa (R.O.6) lasting 1 month plus 1 month extension,but there is also a multiple entry visa (R.O.10) which lasts 3 weeks at a time but then you have to be out of Oman for 3 weeks.

I visited Oman last November to get a feel for the place and loved it.....just got to marry the girlfriend and convince her now.

BH, drop me a note when you get here...

There is a running club (Muscat Road Runners) we meet twice a week for 'organised' runs and races around Muscat. Also there is Muscat Cycling Club who meet every Friday morning for a road session. There is MTB section as well who regularly meet.

In addition triathlons are kicking off a lot here (I help to organise them) - so start swimming! :-) Next triathlon is April 3rd - 750m, 20k, 5k. Free entry, register on the day, prizes and a t-shirt! You don't get that in the UK!

Daz