How to get a visa for Oman: A detailed guide for tourists

Oman is a country in the Middle East, located on the Arabian Peninsula. It is a country open to the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman, where the capital Muscat is located. Oman is home to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the most important and most visited mosque in the Sultanate of Oman.

Covering an area of 309,501 sq. km, it is one of the few remaining wildlife refuges on the peninsula. It is home to animals such as the white oryx, the Arabian leopard, and countless migratory birds.

Do I need a visa to travel to Oman?

Yes, if you wish to travel to Oman and you are not from the United Arab Emirates, then you must apply for an official visa to visit Oman. The most common visa is type 26 for tourism and allows a stay of 10 and 30 days on a single entry.

If you have any doubts about the specific situation for your nationality, you can check your eligibility

Types of visas for Oman

Before applying for a visa, you must be clear about how many days you will be in the country for and what the reason for your visit is. There are 4 types of visas, and within each category, there are several subtypes:

Visas for sponsored and non-sponsored residents

Type 16

Student visa, allowing residence in Oman to study in a high school, college or university.

• Sub-type 16A, Student visa 3 months to 2 years.
• Sub-type 16B, Student visa no fee from 3 months to 2 years.
• Sub-type 16C, 1-year student visa.
• Sub-type 16D, 2-year student visa.

Type 19

Wife of a Citizen Visa, allowing residence in Oman for the foreign wife of an Omani citizen.

• Sub-type 19A, Wife of a citizen visa.

Visas for sponsored and non-sponsored visits

Type 4

Family visit visa, allowing a relative or a friend of an Omani national, or a relative of a foreigner residing in Oman, to visit Oman.

• Sub-type 4D, Family visit visa NOFEE.
• Sub-type 4A, OMN family visit visa.
• Sub-type 4B, Family visit visa FOR.
• Sub-type 4C, Family visit visa GCC.
• Sub-type 5 and 5A, Business Visit Visa, allowing a professional or entrepreneur to visit Oman promoted by a local sponsor.

Type 6

Tourist visa, allowing a tourist to visit Oman promoted by a local sponsor.

• Sub-type 6A, Tourist visa 10D.
• Sub-type 6B, Tourist visa 30D.

Type 7

Official visitor visa, allowing a person sponsored by an organisation of the Government of Oman to visit Oman.

• Sub-type 7A, Official visitor's visa FEE.
• Sub-type 7B, Official visitor's visa NOFEE.

Type 8

Express visa, allowing a visit to Oman by a professional or employer sponsored by a local sponsor.

• Sub-type 8A, Express STDCOR visa.
• Sub-type 8B, Express Embassy Visa.
• Sub-type 8C, Express NOFEE visa.
• Sub-type 10 and 10A: Employer visa, allowing a professional or an employer promoted by a local sponsor to visit Oman.

Type 11

Multiple entry visa, allowing multiple visits to Oman by a professional or an employer sponsored by a local sponsor.

• Sub-type 11A, Multiple entry visa STDORG.
• Sub-type 11B, Embassy multiple-entry visa.
• Sub-type 11C, Multiple-entry visa without NOFEE fee.

Type 20

Common Visa for Oman / Qatar (Tourism). For people on the list of eligible nationalities who must travel first to Oman and then directly to Qatar.

• Sub-type 20A, Visa for Oman / Qatar.
• Sub-type 20B, Visa for Oman / Qatar.

Type 21 and 21A

Common visa for Dubai / Oman, allowing the people who is on the list of eligible nationalities and who has a valid tourist visa that was used to enter the Emirate of Dubai to enter Oman directly from Dubai.

Type 23

Airport transit visa, which allows a short entry for an airline passenger transiting through Oman on his way to a another country.

• Sub-type 23 A and 23 B, Airport Transit Visa.

Type 26

Tourist visa, allowing a person on the list of approved nationalities to visit Oman, or to be accompanied by such person.

• Sub-type 26A, Tourist visitor's visa 10D.
• Sub-type 26B, Tourist visa 30D.
• Sub-type 26C, tourist visa 3MNF.
• Sub-type 26D, Tourist visitor visa 20DNF.
• Sub-type 26E, tourist visa 10DFAM.
• Sub-type 26F, tourist visa 30DFAM.
• Sub-type 26G, Tourist visitor's visa 30DFAMC.
• Sub-type 26H, Tourist visa 30DFAMD.
• Sub-type 26J, Tourist visa D1M.
• Sub-type 26K, tourist visa D3M.
• Sub-type 26L, tourist visa D6M.
• Sub-type 26M, tourist visa 30DCG1.
• Sub-type 26N, tourist visa 10DCG1.

Type 27

Short transit visa, allowing all nationals and their companions a short visit to transit through Oman on their way to another country.

• Sub-type 27A, 5D Short Transit Visa.
• Sub-type 27B, Transit visa at the GEF border.
• Sub-type 27C, Transit visa at DEYEM border.
• Sub-type 27D, Transit visa at DEFAM border.
• Sub-type 27E, Transit visa at SEUAE border.
• Sub-type 27F, Transit visa at MEUAE border.

Type 28

GCC citizen escort visa, allowing a GCC resident to visit Oman accompanied by a GCC citizen as a sponsor.

• Sub-type 28A, GCC citizen accompanying visa VOAFEE.
• Sub-type 28B, Visa for accompanying person of GCC citizen VOANOF.
• Sub-type 28C, Visa for accompanying citizen GCC EMBFEE.
• Sub-type 28D, Visa for accompanying citizen GCC EMBNOF

Type 29

GCC resident visa, allowing a person resident in the GCC to visit Oman or to be accompanied by a sponsor.

• Sub-type 29 A, GCC resident visa VOA.
• Sub-type 29 B, GCC VOACOM resident visa.
• Sub-type 29 C, Resident Visa GCC.
• Sub-type 29 D, Resident Visa GCC EMBCOM.
• Sub-type 30 and 30 A: Emergency visa, allowing a short visit to Oman in an emergency sponsored by a local sponsor.

Type 32

Cruise Ship Passenger and Crew Visa, allowing a visit to Oman by a passenger or crew travelling on a cruise ship stopping over in Oman.

• Sub-type 32A, 48H Cruise Passenger Visa.
• Sub-type 32B, 48H-10D cruise passenger visa.
• Sub-type 32C, 30D Cruise Passenger Visa.

Type 36

1-year multiple-entry visitor visas, allowing multiple visits to Oman by a person of one of the approved nationalities.

• Sub-type 36 A: 1YR ME tourist visit visa.
• Sub-type 36B, Tourist visa 1YR ME.
• Sub-type 36F, Tourist visitor visa 1YRME FAM.
•  Sub-type 36M, 1YME CG1 tourist visit visa.

How do I apply for an Oman visa?

As we can see, there are numerous visas available to go to Oman, all of which can be processed from the embassy. Some of the visas can also be applied for online, or on arrival in the country. It is best to apply online to avoid having to go to the embassy or waiting times and problems with customs at the airport.

The most common visas are the 26A and 26B, which are two types of tourist visas that allow you to enter the country for 10 or 30 days, depending on the type of visa you choose.

If you want to process the visa online, Visagov.com is there to help with the management and any processes needed to get your visa. Handle the process to us, while you relax planing your trip. 

Who needs a visa for Oman?

Most foreign nationals who wish to travel to Oman must apply for a visa to enter. If you are a resident of the GCC, you can enter the country with your ID card.

What are the requirements to apply for a visa to Oman?

To apply for a tourist visa, you only need to present an ordinary passport with at least six months validity after you enter the country, a current profile photo and fill in a short form. On arrival to the country, you must present the same passport with which you applied for the visa. Note that your passport should be in perfect condition; otherwise, it may be a problem to enter Oman.

Can the Oman visa be changed once it has been processed?

No, once the visa has been processed, it is not possible to make any changes, so we recommend that once you have filled in the form and uploaded the documentation, you check that everything is correct before completing the payment.

In case there is a mistake, you will not be able to apply for a new visa until the original visa expires. Alternatively, you can go to the nearest embassy to request a cancellation.

How much does a visa to Oman cost?

Prices vary depending on the type of visa you choose, with government fees ranging from 5,000 Omani rials to 50,000. For example, the 26A (10-day tour) costs 5,000 Omani rials and 26B (30-day tour) costs 20,000 Omani rials. One visa that is less frequently applied for, the 36B, a 1-year tourist visa with a maximum stay of 30 days and multiple entries, costs 50,000 Omani rials.

How far in advance do I need to apply for an Oman visa?

Although it is possible to get a tourist visa approved within 48/72 hours, it's best to apply for a tourist visa to Oman at least 20 days before entering the country.

What are the entry borders to Oman?

You can use your visa at any of Oman’s airports, land border posts or ports. If you are entering the country through a land border crossing, it is advisable to check with the Royal Omani Police because sometimes they change access points and limit the number of crossings at a border post.

The air entrances to the country are:

• Muscat International Airport (MCT), located 1 km from the city centre.
• Khasab Airport (KHS), located in the city of Khasab.
• Duqm International Airport (DQM), located 16km from the city centre.
• Sohar International Airport (OHS), located 7 km from the city.
• Salalah Airport (SLL), located 5.5 km from the city.
• Ras al Hadd Airport, located 30 km from the city.
• Adam Airbase Airport, 18 km from the city.

Do you need a transit visa to travel to Oman?

If you’re travelling through Oman to reach another destination, you’ll need to apply for a transit visa which will allow you to stay in the country for up to 72 hours. You'll have to show proof of onward travel and that you have sufficient funds for your stay in the country.