{"id":60522,"date":"2024-05-29T09:22:21","date_gmt":"2024-05-29T09:22:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/?p=60522"},"modified":"2026-09-22T12:13:44","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T12:13:44","slug":"cost-of-living-in-oman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cost-of-living-in-oman\/","title":{"rendered":"Cost of Living in Oman: Cost of living in Muscat for Indian Family"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\"><\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\">9<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">min read<\/span><\/span>\n<div class=\"quick-read-box\">\n\n  <div class=\"qr-header\">\n    <span style=\"font-size:18px;\">\u26a1<\/span>\n    <h3 class=\"qr-title\">Quick Read<\/h3>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <ul>\n    <li>Average cost of living in Oman for a single person ranges from OMR 280 to 1,200 (\u20b969,765-\u20b92,98,992) monthly, depending on the city.\n<\/li>\n\n    <li>Muscat runs highest; Salalah and Sohar typically cost 15-30% less.<\/li>\n\n    <li>Shared or hostel accommodation for students costs OMR 100-250 (\u20b924,916-\u20b962,290) monthly, varying by city.<\/li>\n\n    <li>Oman has no general part-time work permit for international students, regardless of city.<\/li>\n\n  <\/ul>\n\n  <div class=\"qr-footer\">\n    \ud83d\udc49 Best for: Indian students and families budgeting for the cost of living in Oman before choosing a city, university, or relocating.\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68_1 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Content<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #192a3d;color:#192a3d\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #192a3d;color:#192a3d\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cost-of-living-in-oman\/#Cost_of_Living_in_Oman_Per_Month_The_Full_Range\" title=\"Cost of Living in Oman Per Month: The Full Range\">Cost of Living in Oman Per Month: The Full Range<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cost-of-living-in-oman\/#Cost_of_Living_in_Oman_by_City_Muscat_vs_Salalah_vs_Sohar\" title=\"Cost of Living in Oman by City: Muscat vs Salalah vs Sohar\">Cost of Living in Oman by City: Muscat vs Salalah vs Sohar<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cost-of-living-in-oman\/#Cost_of_Living_in_Muscat_A_Closer_Look\" title=\"Cost of Living in Muscat: A Closer Look\">Cost of Living in Muscat: A Closer Look<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cost-of-living-in-oman\/#Accommodation_Cost_in_Oman_for_International_Students\" title=\"Accommodation Cost in Oman for International Students\">Accommodation Cost in Oman for International Students<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cost-of-living-in-oman\/#Food_Transport_and_Daily_Expenses_in_Oman\" title=\"Food, Transport, and Daily Expenses in Oman\">Food, Transport, and Daily Expenses in Oman<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cost-of-living-in-oman\/#Oman_Student_Visa_Requirements_for_Indian_Students\" title=\"Oman Student Visa Requirements for Indian Students\">Oman Student Visa Requirements for Indian Students<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cost-of-living-in-oman\/#Can_International_Students_Work_Part-Time_in_Oman\" title=\"Can International Students Work Part-Time in Oman?\">Can International Students Work Part-Time in Oman?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cost-of-living-in-oman\/#Does_the_SQU_Scholarship_Cover_the_Cost_of_Living_in_Oman\" title=\"Does the SQU Scholarship Cover the Cost of Living in Oman?\">Does the SQU Scholarship Cover the Cost of Living in Oman?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cost-of-living-in-oman\/#Oman_Study_Budget_Planning_Calendar_for_2027-28\" title=\"Oman Study Budget Planning Calendar for 2027-28\">Oman Study Budget Planning Calendar for 2027-28<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cost-of-living-in-oman\/#Should_You_Move_to_Oman_A_Cost-Based_Decision_Framework\" title=\"Should You Move to Oman? A Cost-Based Decision Framework\">Should You Move to Oman? A Cost-Based Decision Framework<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cost-of-living-in-oman\/#What_to_Do_If_Your_Budget_Falls_Short_in_Oman\" title=\"What to Do If Your Budget Falls Short in Oman\">What to Do If Your Budget Falls Short in Oman<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cost-of-living-in-oman\/#How_to_Reduce_Your_Cost_of_Living_in_Oman\" title=\"How to Reduce Your Cost of Living in Oman\">How to Reduce Your Cost of Living in Oman<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cost-of-living-in-oman\/#3_Takeaways_on_Cost_of_Living_in_Oman\" title=\"3 Takeaways on Cost of Living in Oman\">3 Takeaways on Cost of Living in Oman<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cost-of-living-in-oman\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions_About_Cost_of_Living_in_Oman\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions About Cost of Living in Oman\">Frequently Asked Questions About Cost of Living in Oman<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cost_of_Living_in_Oman_Per_Month_The_Full_Range\"><\/span><strong>Cost of Living in Oman Per Month: The Full Range<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your cost of living in Oman per month depends most on which city you&#8217;re in, then on household size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Household<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Location<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Monthly cost (OMR)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>In INR<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cost of living in Oman for single person<\/td><td>Muscat<\/td><td>400-1,200<\/td><td>99,664-2,98,992<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Single person<\/td><td>Salalah\/Sohar (estimated)<\/td><td>280-800<\/td><td>69,765-1,99,328<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Couple<\/td><td>Muscat<\/td><td>700-2,000<\/td><td>1,74,412-4,98,320<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cost of living in Oman for family of 4<\/td><td>Muscat<\/td><td>1,200-2,600<\/td><td>2,98,992-6,47,816<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Student, shared\/hostel housing<\/td><td>Muscat<\/td><td>265-525<\/td><td>66,027-1,30,809<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Sources<\/em><\/strong><em>:<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/omanbusinesssetup.com\/blog\/cost-of-living-in-oman\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em> <\/em><em>Oman Business Setup, 2026 household budget breakdown<\/em><\/a><em>,<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expatfocus.com\/oman\/guide\/oman-cost-of-living\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em> <\/em><em>Expat Focus, Oman cost of living guide<\/em><\/a><em>,<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsi.gov.om\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em> <\/em><em>National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), Oman<\/em><\/a><em>&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Exchange rate used:<\/em><\/strong><em> 1 OMR = \u20b9249.16 as of September 2026. Verify the current rate before finalizing your budget.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Counselor insight:<\/em><\/strong><em> The single biggest mistake families make is pricing their Oman budget entirely off Muscat figures they found online, only to discover that their actual university is in Salalah or Sohar, where the real cost of living in Oman for Indian students is significantly lower. Always check which city your specific university sits in before finalizing a number.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cost_of_Living_in_Oman_by_City_Muscat_vs_Salalah_vs_Sohar\"><\/span><strong>Cost of Living in Oman by City: Muscat vs Salalah vs Sohar<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Oman&#8217;s cost of living splits clearly by city, and the gap is large enough to change which university makes financial sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>City<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Relative cost vs Muscat<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>What&#8217;s there<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Muscat<\/td><td>Baseline (highest)<\/td><td>Sultan Qaboos University, most jobs, international schools, capital-city amenities<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Salalah<\/td><td>Roughly 15-30% cheaper<\/td><td>Dhofar University, distinct monsoon climate, relaxed pace, fewer jobs<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Sohar<\/td><td>Roughly 20-30% cheaper<\/td><td>Sohar University, industrial\/port-city jobs, small expat community<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Sources<\/em><\/strong><em>:<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/omanbusinesssetup.com\/blog\/cost-of-living-in-oman\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em> <\/em><em>Oman Business Setup, 2026 city comparison<\/em><\/a><em>,<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expatfocus.com\/oman\/guide\/oman-cost-of-living\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em> <\/em><em>Expat Focus, Oman cost of living guide<\/em><em><br><\/em><\/a><strong><em>Exchange rate used:<\/em><\/strong><em> 1 OMR = \u20b9249.16. Verify the current rate before finalizing your budget.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Counselor insight:<\/em><\/strong><em> Salalah and Sohar aren&#8217;t just cheaper versions of Muscat; they come with real trade-offs: fewer job opportunities for a working spouse and fewer international school options for children. Weigh those against the savings before choosing based on cost alone.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cost_of_Living_in_Muscat_A_Closer_Look\"><\/span><strong>Cost of Living in Muscat: A Closer Look<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Muscat deserves its own breakdown since it&#8217;s where most Indian students and families actually end up, given the location of Sultan Qaboos University, and it&#8217;s the city with the most reliable independent cost data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cost of living in Oman for a single person with rent, Muscat:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Expense<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Monthly cost (OMR)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>In INR<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Studio or 1BR apartment<\/td><td>150-450<\/td><td>37,374-1,12,122<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Food and groceries<\/td><td>80-200<\/td><td>19,933-49,832<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Utilities<\/td><td>20-55<\/td><td>4,983-13,704<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Transport<\/td><td>30-73<\/td><td>7,475-18,189<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Total (single person, with rent)<\/td><td>400-1,200<\/td><td>99,664-2,98,992<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Couples and families in Muscat:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Household<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Monthly cost (OMR)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>In INR<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Couple<\/td><td>700-2,000<\/td><td>1,74,412-4,98,320<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Family of four (public schooling or no school-age children)<\/td><td>1,200-2,600<\/td><td>2,98,992-6,47,816<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Family of four (with private school fees)<\/td><td>2,500-4,500<\/td><td>6,22,900-11,21,220<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Sources<\/em><\/strong><em>:<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/omanbusinesssetup.com\/blog\/cost-of-living-in-oman\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em> <\/em><em>Oman Business Setup, 2026 sample budgets<\/em><\/a><em>,<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/wise.com\/gb\/cost-of-living\/oman\/muscat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em> <\/em><em>Wise, Muscat cost of living 2026<\/em><\/a><em>,<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expatfocus.com\/oman\/guide\/oman-cost-of-living\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em> <\/em><em>Expat Focus, Oman cost of living guide<\/em><em><br><\/em><em><br><\/em><\/a><strong><em>Exchange rate used:<\/em><\/strong><em> 1 OMR = \u20b9249.16. Verify the current rate before finalizing your budget.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Counselor insight:<\/em><\/strong><em> If you&#8217;re a family moving with school-age children anywhere in Oman, not just Muscat, ask about school fees before anything else. That single line item can double a family-of-four budget, and it&#8217;s the number most general cost-of-living calculators leave out or bury.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Accommodation_Cost_in_Oman_for_International_Students\"><\/span><strong>Accommodation Cost in Oman for International Students<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Housing is the biggest line item in an Oman budget, and the gap between Muscat and the rest of the country is widest here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Accommodation type<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>City<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Monthly cost (OMR)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>In INR<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Shared\/hostel<\/td><td>Muscat<\/td><td>150-250<\/td><td>37,374-62,290<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1BR apartment<\/td><td>Salalah\/Sohar<\/td><td>100-180<\/td><td>24,916-44,849<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1BR apartment, outside centre<\/td><td>Muscat<\/td><td>250-350<\/td><td>62,290-87,206<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1BR apartment, city centre\/upscale (Al Mouj, Qurum)<\/td><td>Muscat<\/td><td>350-600<\/td><td>87,206-1,49,496<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Dhofar University in Salalah provides free on-campus accommodation, but only to female students. Male students at Dhofar have no on-campus housing option and must arrange private accommodation off-campus, which the university&#8217;s own international student support team can help source.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Sources<\/em><\/strong><em>:<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/omanbusinesssetup.com\/blog\/cost-of-living-in-oman\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em> <\/em><em>Oman Business Setup, 2026 rent data<\/em><\/a><em>,<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.du.edu.om\/international-students\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em> <\/em><em>Dhofar University, official international students page<\/em><\/a><em>.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>No official Omani body publishes shared or hostel-specific rent by city, so the Salalah\/Sohar row above reflects general 1-bedroom apartment pricing rather than a dedicated hostel figure, which isn&#8217;t separately published for those cities.<\/em><em><br><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Exchange rate used: <\/em><\/strong><em>1 OMR = \u20b9249.16. Verify the current rate before finalizing your budget.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Counselor insight:<\/em><\/strong><em> Ask your shortlisted university directly what accommodation it actually offers rather than assuming Dhofar&#8217;s free-housing policy applies to you. It&#8217;s real, confirmed on the university&#8217;s own site, but it&#8217;s gender-restricted, and no equivalent free on-campus offer is confirmed at Sohar University or SQU for international students generally.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Food_Transport_and_Daily_Expenses_in_Oman\"><\/span><strong>Food, Transport, and Daily Expenses in Oman<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Expense<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Monthly cost<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>In INR<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Food and groceries (student)<\/td><td>OMR 70-120<\/td><td>\u20b917,441-\u20b929,899<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Utilities (electricity, water, internet)<\/td><td>OMR 20-40<\/td><td>\u20b94,983-\u20b99,966<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Student transport budget<\/td><td>OMR 10-25<\/td><td>\u20b92,492-\u20b96,229<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Mwasalat bus fare (per ride)<\/td><td>300-500 baisa<\/td><td>\u20b975-\u20b9125<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Taxi base fare<\/td><td>OMR 1.5<\/td><td>\u20b9374<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Food and grocery costs run roughly 15-20% lower outside Muscat. Public transport is not free for students on an ongoing basis anywhere in Oman; the only confirmed free-travel offer is a single promotional day each year for World Public Transport Day, so budget for the fares above rather than free transport.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Sources<\/em><\/strong><em>:<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mwasalat.om\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em> <\/em><em>Mwasalat, official public transport operator<\/em><em><br><\/em><em><br><\/em><\/a><strong><em>Exchange rate used: <\/em><\/strong><em>1 OMR = \u20b9249.16. Verify the current rate before finalizing your budget.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Oman_Student_Visa_Requirements_for_Indian_Students\"><\/span><strong>Oman Student Visa Requirements for Indian Students<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Indian applicants apply for a student visa sponsored by their Omani educational institution, wherever in the country it&#8217;s located, processed through the Royal Oman Police (ROP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Requirement<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Detail<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Validity<\/td><td>1-2 years from date of entry, renewable annually while enrolled, multi-entry<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Medical certificate<\/td><td>Specifically required for applicants coming from India, among a named list of countries<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Letter of acceptance<\/td><td>From an approved Omani institution<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Proof of funds<\/td><td>Sufficient to cover tuition and living costs<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Sources<\/em><\/strong><em>:<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rop.gov.om\/english\/Visas.aspx?VisaName=StudentVisa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em> <\/em><em>Royal Oman Police, official student visa page<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Counselor insight:<\/em><\/strong><em> The medical certificate requirement surprises families because it applies only to a specific set of countries, including India, rather than to every applicant. Confirm the current approved clinic list with your university&#8217;s international office before you travel.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_International_Students_Work_Part-Time_in_Oman\"><\/span><strong>Can International Students Work Part-Time in Oman?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Question<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Answer<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>General part-time work permit<\/td><td>Not available in any city<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Internship\/practical training<\/td><td>Permitted only if required by the course, with a university no-objection letter<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Post-study work visa<\/td><td>Not available; requires employer sponsorship<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Job availability after graduation<\/td><td>Best in Muscat; Omanization rules and a smaller job market limit openings in Salalah<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Counselor insight:<\/em><\/strong><em> Don&#8217;t build any part-time income into your Oman budget unless your specific program has a mandatory internship component confirmed in writing by the university.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_the_SQU_Scholarship_Cover_the_Cost_of_Living_in_Oman\"><\/span><strong>Does the SQU Scholarship Cover the Cost of Living in Oman?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Detail<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Coverage<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Master&#8217;s stipend<\/td><td>OMR 250\/month (\u20b962,290)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>PhD stipend<\/td><td>OMR 350\/month (\u20b987,206)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Tuition<\/td><td>Full exemption<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Travel<\/td><td>One annual return ticket home<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Other tracks<\/td><td>Separate bilateral\/cultural-cooperation scholarships via Oman&#8217;s Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, generally lower stipends<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Sources<\/em><\/strong><em>:<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squ.edu.om\/ps\/en-us\/scholarships\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em> <\/em><em>Sultan Qaboos University, Deanship of Postgraduate Studies, Scholarships<\/em><em><br><\/em><strong><em><br><\/em><\/strong><\/a><strong><em>Exchange rate used: <\/em><\/strong><em>1 OMR = \u20b9249.16. Verify the current rate before finalizing your budget.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Compare the OMR 250-350 stipend to Muscat&#8217;s OMR 265-525 total student monthly budget above, since SQU is based in Muscat and this stipend doesn&#8217;t apply if you&#8217;re studying at Dhofar or Sohar University instead. If your scholarship includes on-campus housing, which most full SQU awards do, the stipend covers day-to-day costs comfortably. If you&#8217;re placed off-campus, food and personal spending alone can come close to using up the entire stipend.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Counselor insight:<\/em><\/strong><em> Confirm in writing whether your specific SQU award includes on-campus accommodation or just the cash stipend.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Oman_Study_Budget_Planning_Calendar_for_2027-28\"><\/span><strong>Oman Study Budget Planning Calendar for 2027-28<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Period<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>What to plan for<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>6-9 months before intake<\/td><td>Shortlist universities across Muscat, Salalah, or Sohar, and confirm whether your program requires a mandatory internship<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3-4 months before intake<\/td><td>Apply for scholarships where available; check squ.edu.om directly for current SQU postgraduate cycles<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2-3 months before intake<\/td><td>Arrange the medical certificate required for Indian applicants and begin the ROP student visa process<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1 month before intake<\/td><td>Confirm accommodation, whether on-campus, hostel, or private rental, and how it differs by city and, at Dhofar, by gender<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>On arrival<\/td><td>Complete residence formalities and, if applicable, register for university-provided health cover<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_You_Move_to_Oman_A_Cost-Based_Decision_Framework\"><\/span><strong>Should You Move to Oman? A Cost-Based Decision Framework<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li><strong>If you&#8217;re an SQU scholarship holder with on-campus housing in Muscat:<\/strong> Your biggest cost is covered. Budget an additional OMR 50-100\/month (\u20b912,458-\u20b924,916) beyond your stipend for personal spending.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>If you&#8217;re a self-funded student choosing between Muscat and Salalah or Sohar:<\/strong> Salalah or Sohar can cut your total cost of living in Oman by roughly 15-30% compared to Muscat, but you should weigh that against fewer job opportunities and, for families, fewer international school options.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>If you&#8217;re an Indian family weighing a move for a job offer:<\/strong> Run the household numbers above for the specific city the job is in, not a generic Oman average, and factor in school fees separately.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Do_If_Your_Budget_Falls_Short_in_Oman\"><\/span><strong>What to Do If Your Budget Falls Short in Oman<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Situation<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>What to do<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>The scholarship stipend doesn&#8217;t stretch far enough<\/td><td>Talk to your university&#8217;s international office about on-campus accommodation before looking at private rentals<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>No internship route and no scholarship<\/td><td>An<a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/questions\/can-i-get-100-percent-education-loan-for-studying-abroad\"> education loan can cover up to 100% of tuition and living costs<\/a> if you have sufficient collateral or a strong academic profile<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Currency movement eating into a fixed INR budget<\/td><td>Re-check the OMR-INR rate each semester rather than budgeting once at the start<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Reduce_Your_Cost_of_Living_in_Oman\"><\/span><strong>How to Reduce Your Cost of Living in Oman<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Consider Dhofar University in Salalah if you&#8217;re a female student.<\/strong> Free on-campus housing there is confirmed and is one of the single biggest cost reductions available anywhere in this guide, though it doesn&#8217;t extend to male students.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Consider a university outside Muscat if your course is offered there.<\/strong> Salalah or Sohar can cut costs by 15-30%.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Split a flat with roommates if hostel space runs out.<\/strong> Cuts your individual rent roughly in half.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cook at home and shop at local souks.<\/strong> Imports and eating out are where costs climb fastest, in any city.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Get a Mwasalat monthly pass.<\/strong> It is cheaper than cash fares or taxis for daily commutes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Apply for every scholarship track, not just SQU&#8217;s flagship one.<\/strong> Bilateral\/MOHERI awards have less competition and still help.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Register for university health cover the moment you enroll.<\/strong> Delaying risks a coverage gap, not savings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Takeaways_on_Cost_of_Living_in_Oman\"><\/span><strong>3 Takeaways on Cost of Living in Oman<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Budget by city first, then by household size: Muscat runs highest, with Salalah and Sohar estimated to be 15-30% cheaper based on the general cost differential.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Treat the lack of part-time work rights as a core planning constraint for students in every Omani city, since it changes how much a scholarship or loan needs to cover.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Confirm your SQU scholarship&#8217;s housing terms directly with the university, and, for female students at Dhofar, confirm the free-housing offer in writing since it doesn&#8217;t extend to male students.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Verified by:<\/em><\/strong><em> LeapScholar&#8217;s counseling team, with experience guiding Indian students through Gulf-region scholarship and visa applications.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Have questions about studying in Oman? <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/webflow_progressive_form?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=in-content-cta&amp;utm_campaign=counselling\"><em>Book a free session with a LeapScholar counselor<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions_About_Cost_of_Living_in_Oman\"><\/span><strong>Frequently Asked Questions About Cost of Living in Oman<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<ul class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<li id=\"faq-question-1790078730538\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What is the average cost of living in Oman?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>It depends heavily on the city. Single-person budgets run OMR 400-1,200 (\u20b999,664-\u20b92,98,992) a month in Muscat and are estimated to be roughly 15-30% lower in Salalah or Sohar, based on the general cost differential between these cities.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1790078758618\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Is Oman expensive to live in?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Moderately, by Gulf standards. Muscat is manageable on a mid-level salary but noticeably pricier than Salalah or Sohar on rent and dining.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1790078778500\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Is Muscat the most expensive city in Oman?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes, among the cities covered in this guide. Muscat consistently prices highest across rent, food, and transport, with Salalah and Sohar each running roughly 15-30% cheaper.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1790078793549\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>How does the cost of living in Oman compare to India?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The cost of living in Oman runs well above most Indian cities overall, roughly 40-50% higher than a metro like Mumbai on everyday costs, including rent. The gap is widest on groceries and restaurant prices, so Indian families should expect noticeably higher day-to-day spending once they relocate.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1790078809925\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>How much does the cost of living in Oman cost a family of 4?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Typically OMR 1,200-2,600 (\u20b92,98,992-\u20b96,47,816) a month in Muscat without private schooling, rising toward OMR 4,500 (\u20b911,21,220) with private school fees. Costs are estimated lower in Salalah or Sohar.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1790078827507\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Can international students work part-time while studying in Oman?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Generally no, in any city. Oman doesn&#8217;t offer a general part-time work permit for students.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1790078844074\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Does the Sultan Qaboos University scholarship cover the full cost of living in Oman?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>It covers a meaningful share, OMR 250-350 (\u20b962,290-\u20b987,206) a month, and usually includes on-campus housing for full awards. Since SQU is based in Muscat, compare the stipend against Muscat costs specifically, not a general Oman-wide figure.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1790078874772\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What documents does an Indian student need for an Oman student visa?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>A letter of acceptance from an approved Omani institution, proof of sufficient funds, and a medical certificate, specifically required for applicants from India among a named list of countries, processed through the Royal Oman Police.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1790078892033\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>How much does accommodation cost for a student in Oman?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Shared or hostel housing in Muscat runs OMR 150-250 (\u20b937,374-\u20b962,290) a month. In Salalah or Sohar, a 1-bedroom apartment runs OMR 100-180 (\u20b924,916-\u20b944,849); dedicated student hostel pricing isn&#8217;t separately published for those cities. Female students at Dhofar University in Salalah can access free on-campus housing.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1790078928081\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Which is the cheapest city to study in Oman?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Salalah and Sohar are estimated at roughly 20-30% cheaper than Muscat overall, though both offer fewer job opportunities and, for families, fewer international school options.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\"><\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\">9<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">min read<\/span><\/span> \u26a1 Quick Read Average cost of living in Oman for a single person ranges from OMR 280 to 1,200 (\u20b969,765-\u20b92,98,992) monthly, depending on the city. Muscat runs highest; Salalah and Sohar typically cost 15-30% less. Shared or hostel accommodation for students costs OMR 100-250 (\u20b924,916-\u20b962,290) monthly, varying by city. Oman has no general part-time work [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":69,"featured_media":84298,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2071,3449],"tags":[3451,3450,3452,3457,3453,3455,3454,3456,3458],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60522"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/69"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60522"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60522\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":84299,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60522\/revisions\/84299"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/84298"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60522"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60522"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60522"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}