Business
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None
- Property Tax
- No recurring property tax; 5% registration fee on transfer
- Property Transaction Tax
- 5% of property value (Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Yes, 0% personal income tax and the digital nomad visa (Investor or Freelance) options are emerging
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 400 OMR per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 16,000 OMR / $41,600)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 300 OMR per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 12,000 OMR / $31,200)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 380 OMR per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 22,800 OMR / $59,280)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 280 OMR per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 16,800 OMR / $43,680)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 350 OMR per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 28,000 OMR / $72,800)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 250 OMR per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 20,000 OMR / $52,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 15% standard rate; small businesses under 30,000 OMR may be 3%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for foreign entities
- Tax System
- Territorial/Residency based; No personal income tax for individuals
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 0% (No personal income tax)
- VAT
- 5% standard rate
Essentials
- City
- Sur, Ash Sharqiyah South Governorate, Oman
- Population
- Approximately 120,000
- Internet Speed
- 4G/5G is reliable; Fiber optics in city center offer up to 100 Mbps via Omantel or Ooredoo
- Currency & Banking
- Omani Rial (OMR), 1 OMR ≈ 2.60 USD / 1 USD ≈ 0.38 OMR
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; most residents use bottled water (5L for 0.500 OMR) or delivered 5-gallon jugs
- Power
- 240V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (British style three-pin)
- SIM Card
- Omantel, Ooredoo, or Vodafone Oman. A monthly 10GB data plan costs approx. 10 OMR ($26)
- Banking for Expats
- Bank Muscat and Oman Arab Bank are widely available; Revolut works for transfers but local ATMs charge small fees
- Accommodation
- Local guesthouses and serviced apartments; monthly rentals range from 150 OMR to 300 OMR
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes in supermarkets and malls; cash still preferred in traditional souqs and small dhow yards
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb options are limited; Al Ayjah Plaza Hotel or Sur Hotel (approx. 15-25 OMR/night)
- Budget Accommodation
- Sur Hotel in the city center (approx. 12-18 OMR per night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Al Ayjah (historic district with lighthouse and dhow views)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Sur City Center (near Sur City Walk and LuLu Hypermarket for convenience and connectivity)
Health and Wellness
- Laundry Services
- Many small independent laundries in the city center (0.200 OMR per shirt washed and pressed)
- Best Hospital
- Sur Hospital (Governmental) or Badr Al Samaa Medical Centre (Private, popular with expats)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Classes usually offered through Sur Plaza Hotel fitness center
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Sur City Gym or the fitness club at Sur Beach Hotel (approx. 20-30 OMR/month)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Talabat is the primary delivery service active in Sur
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Shuwa (Slow-cooked marinated lamb) or Omani Halwa
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Saravana Bhavan (South Indian cuisine) offers excellent vegetarian options
- Best Dessert Spots
- Baskin Robbins in the City Walk or local Omani Halwa shops in the Souq
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- LuLu Hypermarket or the Sur Old Souq
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.ae (delivers to Oman) or Desertcart.om
- Grocery Delivery
- Talabat Mart or LuLu Hypermarket Online
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Sur Beach Hotel (Captain's Pub) is the main legal venue for alcohol
- Local Brewery
- None (Alcohol production is prohibited; local drinks include Karak tea)
- Wine Bars
- Sur Plaza Hotel bar (The Tavern)
- Street Food Stalls
- Mishkak (Omani grilled meat skewers) available along the Corniche in the evenings
- Popular International Cuisine
- Zaki Restaurant (Indian/Arabic fusion) or Pizza Hut
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Al Ayjah Lighthouse and the Sunaysilah Fort
- Museums & Art Venues
- Sur Maritime Museum (showcasing dhow-building history)
- Historical Sites
- Bilad Sur Castle
- Religious Sites
- Sultan Qaboos Mosque (Sur)
- Annual Events
- Oman National Day (November 18) with local parades and camel racing
- Cultural Districts
- The Dhow Factory (The only remaining yard building traditional wooden ships)
- Theater Venues
- National hospitality events at the Sur College of Applied Sciences auditorium
- Local Markets
- Sur City Souq (Gold, textiles, and spices)
- Music Scene
- Traditional Omani folk music (Razha) during festivals
- Street Art
- Traditional Omani patterns on old Al Ayjah doors
- Cooking Classes
- Informal classes often arranged via local guesthouses like Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve
- Art Galleries
- Local heritage exhibits within the Sunaysilah Fort
- Historic Buildings
- The old merchant houses in Al Ayjah
- Local Heritage
- The 'Ghanja' Dhow - a symbol of Sur's maritime dominance
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Wadi Shab and Wadi Tiwi (approx. 45 mins drive north)
- National Parks Nearby
- Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve (major nesting site for Green Turtles)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Sur Corniche (Coastal walk over 5km long)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The Al Ayjah watchtowers overlooking the bay
- Birdwatching Locations
- Khawr Grama lagoon near Ras Al Hadd
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Ras Al Hadd beaches (Permitted as long as cleaned after; check turtle nesting restrictions)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Oman Post (Asyad) or Aramex Sur Branch
- Tech Repair Services
- Small tech shops located near the Sur Cinema and main high street
- Table Tennis Spots
- Sur Sports Complex
- Language Classes
- No formal centers; private tutors available via expats or local colleges
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Sur Public Library or the Sur University College library
- Community Centers
- Omani Women's Association (Sur branch)
- Gaming Lounges
- Small local internet cafes/gaming shops in the city center
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (Gambling is illegal in Oman)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No dedicated coworking spaces; 'The Lounge' at Sur Plaza Hotel provides a professional environment with Wi-Fi
- Best Cafe for Work
- Caribou Coffee (near the Corniche) or Mani's Cafe (good seating and stable Wi-Fi)
- Networking Events
- Limited; professional networking usually occurs through the Oman Chamber of Commerce (Sur Branch) or LinkedIn groups
- Social Events for Expats
- Informal gatherings at the Sur Beach Hotel bar (one of the few licensed venues)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Otaxi (Oman's version of Uber) is the most reliable app-based service in Sur
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not widely available; private car rental is the standard (approx. 12-15 OMR per day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Ras Al Hadd (40 mins away) or the local Sur Marine Drive Beach
- Top Regional Airline
- SalamAir (Oman's low-cost carrier flying via Muscat)
- Top International Airline
- Oman Air (National carrier flying to Muscat International Airport)
- Highway Access
- Route 17 (Sur-Muscat Coastal Road) provides high-speed access to the capital in 2.5 hours
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Mwasalat Bus Station (Direct routes to Muscat and Salalah)
- Public Transport Passes
- Mwasalat red buses use a zonal fare system; no monthly digital nomad passes currently available
- Regional Travel
- Mwasalat Intercity Bus to Muscat (approx. 4 OMR one way)