Incoming
Those students who are coming from abroad to train in Oman through IAESTE
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Welcome to the enchanting Sultanate of Oman. Safe and inviting, Oman will hypnotize you with its fragrant ancient souks, mesmerize with dramatic landscapes and leave you spellbound with its stories.
Muscat, the vibrant capital, is full of memorable sites and experiences. Visitors can take in extraordinary museum exhibits, visit ancient houses and wander the fishing port, home to traditional dhows.
Stop by the date farms and witness the harvesting of the roses that cover the hills with delicate hues of pink and fill the air with an enchanting fragrance. Spend the night under the stars in a desert camp then swim in the wadis, stunning natural pools offering respite from the heat. Marvel at Oman’s magnificent beaches, pristine diving sites and nature reserves. There aren’t many places in the world where you can observe rare species of turtles up close and swim with dolphins in the wild, but you can here.
A journey of discovery awaits you in this welcoming land at the crossroads between Asia, Africa and Western civilization. Enjoy all of the marvels of this unique setting, the ideal gateway to Southern Arabia.
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Getting Here
Oman is connected to the rest of the world with Muscat International Airport. An IAESTE representative shall receive the incoming student from the airport
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Basic Information
Time zone: UTC +4
Opening times: Friday and Saturday make up the weekend in Oman. The banks are open from 8am to noon or 2pm from Sunday to Thursday. Shops and souks are open from Sunday to Thursday, from 8am to 1pm and from 4pm to 9pm.
Language: The official language is Arabic. English is widely spoken in the main cities and in all tourist establishments.
Conduct: It is always best to ask for permission before taking photographs of people, especially of women and children.
Clothing: Summer clothes can be worn throughout the year. It is advisable to take warm clothing to wear at night in the desert or the mountains, in premises with air conditioning and in Dhofar if you plan to visit during the monsoon season. Avoid wearing short pairs of shorts and skirts, sleeveless tops, and clothes that are very tight or low-cut.
Climate: Oman can be visited all year round. There are two seasons: summer lasts from May until September, and winter lasts from October until April. In summer, the southern region of Dhofar benefits from the khareef (monsoon season), which brings very humid weather but keeps the temperatures at about the average winter levels (23-25°C). In the north it gets very hot at this time of year, with temperatures often hotter than 40°C.
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Currency
The Omani rial (OMR), which is divided into 1,000 baisa. One rial is worth around USD $2.60, but the exchange rate varies.
Banks: The banking system operates to international standards. It is possible to pay with major credit cards in the main towns and cities, but it is better to have cash at your disposal for use in small shops and villages, especially away from Muscat and Salalah.
Interns can get foreign exchange done as soon as they land. Currency exchange facilities are available at the airport. There are numerous foreign exchange services in every city of Oman.
Visa Formalities
Those students who are accepted to do their training in Oman are required to follow the instruction
1- The students who are coming for 60 days or less from the list of countries shown, the Visa will be issued upon the arrival in Muscat Airport
2- The Visa fee is equal to R.O. 20/- (must be paid by bankcard/ credit card) for 30 days and should be renewed for another 30 days.
3-If the country is not listed or the training period is more than 60 days, IAESTE OMAN will send the Visa form that the student has to fill and send it 4 weeks before his/her arrival and the payment for the visa fee must given to the IAESTE Oman offices after the arrival..
List of Countries that can have Visa on arrival at Muscat Airport Oman
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Belgium
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Greece
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Italy
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Switzerland
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France
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Spain
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Portugal
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Malta
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Iceland
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Ireland
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Hungary
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Moldova
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Norway
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Germany
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Austria
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Slovakia
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Estonia
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Finland
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Sweden
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Denmark
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Latvia
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Netherlands
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Vatican
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Liechtenstein
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San Marino
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Luxembourg
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Monaco
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Czech Republic
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Slovenia
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Poland
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Romania
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Lithuania
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Macedonia
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United Kingdom
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Andorra
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Bulgaria
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Croatia
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Chile
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Colombia
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Argentina
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Uruguay
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Paraguay
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Brazil
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Suriname
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Bolivia
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Ecuador
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Venezuela
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Singapore
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Brunei Darussalam
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Japan
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South Korea
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Taiwan
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Indonesia
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United States of America
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Hong Kong
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New Zealand
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South Africa
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Malaysia
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Australia
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Canada
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Thailand
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Seychelles
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Ghana
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Cyprus
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Turkey
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Lebanon
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What to Expect
FAQ
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Q: What is the commonly spoken language in Oman? Can I get by using only English?
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A: Most locals are able to understand English atleast in the Muscat area. In the interiors it is best to use the services of a guide/ interpreter. Ensure that you purchase a good guidebook, available in most bookshops in the city.
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Q: Is there a strictly enforced dress code?
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A: Oman is among the liberal countries in the Middle East where it is alright to dress as you please. Still, please be conservative in your style of dressing especially when you visit the interiors. It is best for women to cover their arms and legs. Dress codes are mentioned and strictly enforced in public functions.
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Q: How efficient is the local transport?
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A: For long distances the ONTC or Oman National Transport Company is a good choice. All major hotels offer luxury coach services. To visit the interiors it is best to hire a car and to travel in groups. Within the city feel free to use the taxis or cabs.
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Q: What can I eat?
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A: Oman offers all kinds of cuisine thanks to the cosmopolitan nature of its expatriate population. Apart from the local food you can savour authentic Italian, Greek, Mexican, Japanese, English, American, Chinese and Indian cuisine.
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