Studying in Oman: student visa, universities and costs

Oman is a calm, safe study destination close to Iran: about a two-hour flight, English-taught universities and costs usually lower than Dubai or Europe. This guide explains the student visa steps, costs and choosing a university in plain terms.

Universities and colleges

• Sultan Qaboos University: the largest public university; admission for foreign students is limited and mostly at postgraduate level.
• Private universities such as the National University of Science and Technology, the University of Nizwa, Sohar University, Dhofar University and colleges such as Middle East College in Muscat accept international students.
• Many programmes partner with British or other foreign universities and award joint degrees.

For the full list, see our guide "Universities in Oman".

Language and admission

Most programmes are taught in English. A language certificate (such as IELTS) is usually required; if your score is not enough, most universities offer a foundation year. School certificates must be translated and attested, and the Ministry of Higher Education may require equivalency.

Student visa: typical documents

The university applies for the student visa on your behalf. As an example, Middle East College asks for:

• A passport valid for at least 6 months
• A medical report approved by the Ministry of Health
• Two photos
• One-year Omani medical insurance
• An advance registration fee of about OMR 1,000
• A refundable deposit of about OMR 250
• A visa fee of about OMR 35

The visa usually takes 10–15 working days, and the student residence is renewed annually. Documents and amounts differ by university, so check with its admissions office.

Costs (approximate)

These are for planning only; get exact tuition from each university's website.

Working during and after study

A student visa is not an open work permit. For part-time work or work after graduation, check the current Ministry of Labour and work-visa rules.

Family and residency

If the family wants to be with the student, another route is owner residency: buying a home in a permitted area (Decision 87/2026) gives the owner and family residency without a sponsor. Some families buy a small unit near the university instead of renting for years, then let it out after graduation.

How R2LUX helps

If your child is studying in Muscat, we introduce suitable units near the universities and family residency routes with today's prices. For admission and student visas, the university itself is the main authority.