Your Essential Guide to Obtaining a Visa for Oman
Home to stunning dive sites, intriguing archaeological ruins, historic forts, 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; however, 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. However, you may feel a bit overwhelmed by the visa process for Oman. Whether you plan to relax on the beach, explore historical Muscat, or go hiking in the Hajar Mountains, this guide covers 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, provided their stay does not exceed 14 days. For a comprehensive list of countries approved for visa-free travel, check the official website of the Foreign Ministry of Oman.
Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—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, refer to the Royal Oman Police website, the authority overseeing Oman’s immigration system.
All visa-exempt visitors must present evidence of confirmed hotel bookings for their entire stay, health insurance, and a return travel ticket leaving Oman within the visa-free period. Additionally, your passport should be valid for at least six months after your arrival in Oman.
Additional Requirements for Visa-Free Travel
Citizens from specific countries on the approved list, such as Mexico, India, and Jordan, may visit Oman without a visa only if they possess a valid Schengen Area visa or a valid visa for the US, Canada, Australia, UK, or Japan (or are legally resident in those countries). Consult the Royal Oman Police website for further information.
How to Stay in Oman Longer than 14 Days
Apart from visitors from GCC countries, all travelers need a tourist visa to enter Oman if their planned stay exceeds 14 days. Applications for all types of tourist visas must be made online through the official Oman e-visa website prior to arrival in Oman.
Visas for Tourists Who Are GCC Residents
Visitors residing in the GCC yet holding different citizenship can apply for a Resident Tourist Visa, provided they are employed in a profession on Oman’s approved list or accompanied by someone who is. These visas cost OR5 (US$13) and allow stays in Oman of up to 28 days.
Applications must be made via the 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 not residing in a GCC country seeking to stay in Oman for more than 14 days will need to apply online for an Unsponsored Visit Visa. There are various categories of Unsponsored Visit Visas, each corresponding to different purposes such as tourism, business travel, or transiting through the country, and each comes with its own set of rules and conditions.
To determine your eligibility and the conditions associated with each visa type, use 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 valid for 30 days, costing OR20 (US$52). Applications must be made on the official website, which provides a full list of eligible nationalities.
Additionally, the same nationalities can apply for a 36B Tourist Visit Visa, a long-term, multiple-entry visa valid for one year, allowing up to 30 days per visit. This visa costs OR50 (US$130).
Other Classes of Tourist Visit Visas
Citizens from other nations holding valid Schengen Area visas or visas for the US, UK, Canada, Australia, or Japan may be eligible 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 meeting the conditions for visa-exempt entry into Oman and holding a valid tourist visa for Dubai can apply for a Type 21 Dubai/Oman Common Visa (also known as the Dubai/Oman Joint Visa). This free single-entry visa permits a stay of up to 21 days in Oman and is non-extendable. It is only applicable if you enter Oman directly from Dubai.
The visa can be obtained through the Consulate General of the Sultanate of Oman in Dubai. To be eligible for this visa, your Dubai tourist visa must have at least 21 days 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 visiting Oman for training or as members of international organizations registered in Oman, such as the World Health Organization. Additional documents detailing the purpose of your visit will be required.
Applying for a Visa for Oman
When applying for an Omani visa through the official e-visa portal, ensure your passport is valid for six months beyond your intended entry date. Required documents include a photograph, a copy of your passport, a hotel booking, and confirmed flight tickets specifying your entry and departure dates.
Visa processing times may vary depending on the visa type, with an expectation that the process could take anywhere from 24 hours to a few days. To avoid any inconvenience, it is advisable to apply online at least four days in advance of your travel date.
Even if you plan to drive to Oman from Dubai and enter through a land border, it is wise to apply online for the appropriate visa type prior to travel. While hard copy application forms may be available at the border, this process is being phased out, and wait times could exceed several hours.
Overstays and Visa Extensions for Oman
If you overstay your visa, a fine of OR10 (US$26) will apply for each day exceeding the allowed duration. Furthermore, overstays may complicate future entry into Oman. Single-entry tourist visas can be extended for an additional 30 days; however, multiple-entry tourist visas cannot be extended. You can apply for a visa extension through the official e-visa portal.
