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Oman

Work

To work in Oman you have to be sponsored by an Omani company before you enter the country (ie you have to have a job). Although it is illegal to work on a tourist visa, some expats take a short-term contract and hope their employer will arrange a labour card for them. The reality is a fretful experience best avoided.

Business hours

Oman is rumoured to change its weekend to Friday and Saturday. For now, the following hours apply:

Banks 8am to noon Saturday to Wednesday and 8am to 11am Thursday.

Government departments & ministries 7.30am to 2.30pm Saturday to Wednesday, closing 1.30pm during Ramadan.

Post offices 8am to 1.30pm Saturday to Wednesday and 8am to 11am Thursday.

Restaurants 11.30am to 2pm and 5pm to midnight Saturday to Thursday, and 5pm to midnight Friday.

Shops 8am to 1pm and 4pm to 7pm Saturday to Wednesday, and 8am to 1pm Thursday (Mutrah Souq and upmarket Muscat shopping centres to 9pm or 9.30pm).

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