Home to stunning dive sites, intriguing archeological ruins, historic forts and souqs (markets) and some of the region’s best hiking trails, Oman promises an unforgettable travel experience. Visas to visit this complex, storied land are easy to obtain, but there's some red tape to navigate compared to its Gulf neighbors.
Many people visit Oman after spending a few days in Dubai in the neighboring United Arab Emirates, but you may feel a bit overwhelmed by the visa process for Oman. Whether you plan to relax on the beach, explore history Muscat, or go hiking in the Hajar Mountains, here’s a guide to the latest visa requirements for this fascinating desert sultanate.
Who needs a visa to visit Oman?
Citizens of 103 countries – including the US, Canada, the UK, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and most EU and EEA nations – can visit Oman without a visa, so long as the stay does not exceed 14 days. See the website of the Foreign Ministry of Oman for a full list of countries approved for visa-free travel.
Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, can travel to Oman completely visa-free. If you're unsure about the rules for your nationality, check the website of the Royal Oman Police – the body responsible for overseeing Oman's immigration system.
All visa-exempt visitors need to present evidence of confirmed hotel bookings for the entire duration of their stay, plus health insurance and a return travel ticket leaving Oman within the visa-free period. Your passport should also be valid for at least six months after the date you arrive in Oman.
Additional requirements for visa-free travel
Citizens of some countries on the approved list, such as Mexico, India and Jordan, can only visit Oman without a visa if they hold a valid Schengen Area visa or a valid visa for the US, Canada, Australia, UK or Japan (or are legally resident in one of these countries). Consult the Royal Oman Police website for more information.
How to stay in Oman longer than 14 days
Apart from visitors from GCC countries, all travelers require a tourist visa to enter Oman if they intend to stay in the country for more than 14 days. Applications for all types of tourist visas must be made online on the official Oman e-visa website before arriving in Oman.
Visas for tourists who are GCC residents
Visitors who are resident in the GCC but hold different citizenship can apply for a Resident Tourist Visa so long as they are employed in a profession on Oman's approved list (or accompanied by someone in one of those professions). These visas cost OR5 (US$13) and allow stays in Oman of up to 28 days.
Applications must be made via the official Oman e-visa website, and your GCC residence visa must be valid for at least six months after entry into Oman.
Visa for tourists who are not GCC residents
Tourists who are not residents in a GCC country who want to visit Oman for more than 14 days will need to apply online for an Unsponsored Visit Visa. There are various types of Unsponsored Visit Visas, valid for tourism, business travel or transiting through the country, and each has its own rules and conditions.
It's best to check which class of visa you’re eligible to apply for and the visa conditions via the visa eligibility tool on the official Royal Oman Police website.
Visas for 30-day stays in Oman
Citizens of 72 countries – including the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan, and many European countries – can apply for a 26B Tourist Visit Visa, a single-entry visa that allows you to stay in Oman for 30 days. This costs OR20 (US$52), and applications must be made on the official website where a full list of eligible nationalities is available.
The same nationalities can also apply for the 36B Tourist Visit Visa, a long-term, multiple-entry visa that is valid for one year and allows a maximum stay of 30 days in Oman for each visit. It costs OR50 (US$130).
Other classes of Tourist Visit Visas
Citizens from other countries who have a valid Schengen Area visa or a valid visa for the US, UK, Canada, Australia or Japan may be eligible to apply for a single-entry 26M Tourist Visit Visa for OR20 (US$52), or a one-year multiple-entry 36M Tourist Visit Visa for OR50 (US$130). The list of approved countries includes India, Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, Maldives, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
How to visit Oman from Dubai
Travelers who fulfill the conditions for visa-exempt entry into Oman and have a valid tourist visa for Dubai can apply for a Type 21 Dubai/Oman Common Visa (also called the Dubai/Oman Joint Visa). This free single-entry visa allows a stay of up to 21 days in Oman and is not extendable. It is only valid if you enter Oman directly from Dubai (and not from any other emirate in the UAE).
You can apply for this visa through the Consulate General of the Sultanate of Oman in Dubai. To qualify for this class of visa, your Dubai tourist visa must have at least 21 days validity remaining on the date you enter Oman.
Other visa options for Oman
Five and 10-year multiple-entry visas are available for US diplomatic passport holders and US citizens who are visiting Oman to attend a training course or as a member of an international organization registered in Oman, such as the World Health Organization. To apply, you’ll need to submit additional documents detailing the purpose of your visit.
Applying for a visa for Oman
When applying for an Omani visa via the official e-visa portal, ensure your passport is valid for at least six months after the date you plan to enter Oman. You will need to submit a photograph, a copy of your passport, a hotel booking, and confirmed flight tickets confirming the dates of your entry and departure from Oman.
Visa processing times can vary depending on the type of visa – expect the process to take anything from 24 hours to a few days. To ensure that your visa is authorized before you check in for your flight, apply online at least four days in advance of your trip.
Even if you intend to drive to Oman from Dubai and enter through a land border, it's wise to apply online for the right type of visa before you travel. Hard copy application forms allowing you to apply for an Omani visa on arrival may be available at the border, but this system is being phased out, and wait times can be several hours.
Overstays and visa extensions for Oman
If you overstay your visa, a fine of OR10 (US$26) applies for every day beyond the term allowed on your visa, and you may have trouble entering Oman in future. Single-entry tourist visas can be extended for another 30 days, multiple-entry tourist visas cannot be extended – you can apply for a visa extension on the official e-visa portal.
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