Oman visa

The Sultanate of Oman, located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, is a country of fascinating natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. It attracts visitors with dramatic mountain ranges, vast deserts, pristine coastlines, and traditional souqs. Oman has modernized its visa policy in recent years, with the e-Visa system playing a central role, and also allows conditional visa-free entry for short stays for certain nationalities. A clear understanding of the applicable entry requirements is essential for a smooth journey to this hospitable Sultanate.

Do I need a visa for Oman?

Whether you need a visa to enter the Sultanate of Oman depends on your nationality, the planned length of your stay, and the purpose of your travel.

Visa Exemption / Conditional Visa-Free Entry:

  • GCC Nationals: Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates) do not need a visa to enter Oman.
  • Conditional Visa-Free Entry for up to 14 days: Nationals of over 100 countries (including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and many other European nations, USA, Canada, Australia) can enter Oman visa-free for tourism purposes for up to 14 days. However, this is subject to strict conditions: presentation of a confirmed hotel booking, valid health insurance covering Oman, and a confirmed return flight ticket. This is not a "visa on arrival" in the traditional sense but a conditional exemption from visa requirements for short stays.

E-Visa (Electronic Visa): For most other nationalities, or for stays longer than the 14-day conditional visa-free period, applying for an e-Visa before travel is the standard procedure. The e-Visa is available for tourism and short-term business stays.

Visa on Arrival (VOA): This option has been largely replaced by the e-Visa system and the conditional 14-day visa-free entry and is now only available in very limited exceptional cases or for certain rarer categories. It is strongly advised not to rely on a visa on arrival without prior verification.

Visa via Embassy/Consulate: For long-term stays (e.g., work, study, family reunification) or if the criteria for an e-Visa are not met, an appropriate visa must be applied for at an Omani embassy or consulate. These visas often require a sponsor in Oman.

Checking the current regulations on the official e-Visa portal of the Royal Oman Police (ROP) is strongly recommended before any travel.

Visa Categories for Oman

Oman offers various visa categories, primarily differing in duration and purpose of stay:

Visa Exemption and Conditional Visa-Free Entry for Short Stays

GCC citizens enjoy full visa exemption. Citizens of many other countries (over 100 nationalities, including most Western industrialized nations) can enter for tourist stays of up to 14 days without a prior visa, provided they meet specific conditions.

Key Requirements for the 14-day conditional visa-free entry:

  • Documents: Passport from the eligible country (validity at least 6 months from date of entry), confirmed hotel reservation for the duration of the stay, valid international health insurance covering treatment in Oman, confirmed return flight ticket.
  • Application Process: No formal visa application in advance is required; fulfillment of conditions is checked upon arrival.
  • Fees: No visa fee for this specific 14-day stay under the mentioned conditions.

E-Visa (Electronic Visa) for Tourist and Visit Stays

The e-Visa is the standard route for tourists or visitors who wish to stay longer than 14 days or are not covered by the conditional visa-free entry. Various types of tourist e-Visas exist:

  • Type 26A (Unsponsored Visit Visa): Allows a single entry for a stay of up to 10 days.
  • Type 26B (Unsponsored Visit Visa): Allows a single entry for a stay of up to 30 days. This is the most common tourist e-Visa.
  • Type 36B (Unsponsored Visit Visa, Multiple Entry): Valid for one year, allows multiple entries with a maximum stay of 30 days per visit.

Key Requirements (e.g., for Type 26B):

  • Documents: Scanned copy of the passport data page (validity at least 6 months from the planned date of entry), recent digital passport-style photo. Depending on nationality and specific e-Visa type, additional documents like hotel booking or return ticket might be requested during the online application.
  • Application Process: Online application via the official e-Visa portal of the Royal Oman Police (evisa.rop.gov.om). Creation of a user account, completion of the application form, uploading of documents, and online payment of the fee. The approved e-Visa is sent via email and should be printed and carried.
  • Fees (as of May 2025, subject to change):
    • Type 26A (10 days): approx. 5 OMR (Omani Rial)
    • Type 26B (30 days): approx. 20 OMR
    • Type 36B (1 year, multiple entry): approx. 50 OMR

E-Visa for Foreigners Residing in GCC States (GCC Resident Visit Visa)

Special e-Visa types (e.g., 29A for single entry, 29B for multiple entry) for foreign nationals holding a valid residence permit in a GCC state and belonging to certain professional groups, as well as their family members.

Key Requirements:

  • Documents: Passport copy, copy of the GCC residence permit (both often with minimum validity of 3-6 months), digital passport photo. The applicant must belong to an Oman-approved professional group.
  • Application Process: Online via the ROP e-Visa portal.
  • Fees: E.g., approx. 5 OMR for Type 29A (as of May 2025).

Visas requiring a Sponsor / Long-Term Visas (Application via Embassy/Consulate and Sponsor)

For stays extending beyond tourism or short-term business purposes, such as employment, study, investment, or family reunification (to live with a family member residing in Oman). These visas generally require a sponsor in Oman (e.g., employer, educational institution, family member resident in Oman).

Key Subcategories: Employment Visa, Family Joining Visa / Family Residence Visa, Student Residence Visa, Investor Residence Visa.

Key Requirements:

  • Documents: Valid passport, passport photos, specific application forms, official documents from the sponsor in Oman (e.g., employment contract and approval from the Ministry of Labour, commercial registration, marriage certificate, birth certificates – often attested), educational certificates, police clearance certificate, medical fitness certificate from approved clinics.
  • Application Process: The process is usually initiated by the sponsor in Oman with the relevant Omani authorities (e.g., Ministry of Labour, Royal Oman Police). After initial approvals are obtained, the applicant may need to complete further formalities at an Omani embassy or consulate in their country of residence, including submission of documents and possibly biometric data.
  • Fees: Vary significantly depending on the visa type and are often paid by the sponsor or are part of a more complex fee schedule.

Visa for Oman: Final Points to Consider

Oman offers attractive and relatively straightforward entry procedures for many nationalities with its well-developed e-Visa system and the option of conditional visa-free entry for short stays. Nevertheless, it is essential to inform yourself in detail about the specific regulations applicable to your nationality and purpose of travel before any travel planning. For this, always consult the official e-Visa portal of the Royal Oman Police (evisa.rop.gov.om) and, if necessary, the websites of Omani diplomatic missions. Visitors should also respect local laws, traditions, and cultural customs to ensure a pleasant and respectful stay. Online-Visa.com strives to provide you with a comprehensive guide, but this cannot replace individual verification with official sources or legal advice. With the right preparation, nothing stands in the way of a journey of discovery through the fascinating Sultanate of Oman.