How to choose a recruitment office in Oman without regretting it

The difference between a smooth recruitment and a painful one is usually settled before you pay the first rial. These five questions are enough.

1. What is your licence number?

A simple question that should get an immediate answer. A licensed office publishes its number and is happy for you to verify it with the Ministry of Labour. Hesitation is the answer.

2. What does the price not include?

Ask in the negative, not the positive. "What does the price include?" gets you a nice list; "what does it not include?" gets you the truth: salary, fees that may appear later, the return ticket.

3. What is the guarantee, and where is it written?

A verbal guarantee is worth nothing. Ask for it as a clause in the contract, with a defined period and clear conditions for when it lapses.

4. Can I interview the worker before approving her?

An office confident in its files will set up a video call. A refusal here suggests the file may not match reality.

5. How do I follow my request?

"Call us and ask" is not follow-up. Ask whether there is a request number or a tracking page that shows you where your file stands without chasing anyone.

Three signs that mean: leave

• A large cash payment requested with no receipt in the office's name
• A promise of a very short timeline, "within two weeks" — official procedures do not allow it
• Refusing to give you a copy of the contract to read before signing