Entry regulations and visa
Information on entry in connection with Covid19
The global pandemic is of course also affecting the country of Oman (see current statistics ).
As the population of Oman is quite small at around 4.5 million, and the country has a modern health system, extensive testing and vaccination strategies, it is expected that the country will be able to be travelled to again from autumn 21 without increased risk.
Since mid-December 2020, it has been possible to enter the country without a visa for up to 14 days as a tourist from 109 countries (almost all European countries are included). However, it is compulsory to have an international health insurance policy that explicitly includes Covid 19 treatment (request an English-language document from the insurance company). Most insurers now offer Covid protection packages. Make sure that the insurer does not explicitly exclude travel warnings due to Covid19. Normally, insurance does not cover travel warnings.
All entrants, even for short stays, must enter institutional quarantine for at least seven days, which is monitored by the tracking bracelet. The cost of institutional quarantine must be borne by the entrants, isolation in domestic quarantine is not currently permitted. Institutional quarantine can be carried out in all hotels in Oman - as far as they offer it. Those currently exempt from institutional quarantine are entrants over 60 years of age and children up to 18 years of age travelling alone, Current information and a list of designated quarantine hotels is available from the Omani Centre of Relief and Shelter Operations (tel. 00968-24994265/24994266/24994267).
From 29 March 2021, all inbound passengers subject to institutional quarantine will be required to book accommodation in a hotel or institutional quarantine facility in advance online through the 'Sahala' platform. Airlines are required to ensure that passengers have a confirmed Sahala booking.
It is also obligatory for entry into Oman to present a Covid test before departure, the negative test result of which must be available no longer than 72 hours before entry, and a return ticket. In addition, a Covid19 test must be taken on arrival at the airport, for which one must register before arrival https://covid19.emushrif.om/traveler/travel . Furthermore, the Tarassud+ programme of the Omani Ministry of Health must be downloaded as an app and a tracking bracelet must be worn. At the end of the 7-day quarantine, another test is mandatory. If the test result is again negative, one is allowed to move freely - of course subject to the general restrictions prevailing in the country at the time of travel. Costs for tests and quarantine are to be borne by the traveller.
In addition to the above-mentioned guidelines, please note that some airlines require an additional test and/or health check prior to travel.
Entry in general:
Stay up to 14 days without a visa from 109 countries (almost all European countries are included).
A visa is required for stays over 14 days (up to 30 days). This must be applied for electronically in advance at the Oman Royal Police.
Visas cost OMR 20 (approx. EUR 50) and are valid for up to 30 days (can be extended for a further 30 days for the same amount).
Application for a visa is to be made online via the website of the Royal Oman Police
- Apply for E-Visum in advance at https://evisa.rop.gov.om/ and after issuance print it out and carry with you
Important: Your passport must be valid for 6 months after end of your intended stay.
The online application is still tricky and you need time, some computer skills, and good nerves (because the system crashes from time to time).
Here are a couple of tips:
First log in as user. Tourist visas are "non sponsered" visas. You will need a scan of your passports and passport photos (the files must not exceed 550 kb). You have to pay by credit card. The passport photos must be in good quality (a scan of the image in the passport is not because of the watermarks!) At the end of the process appears a list with the names for which you have applied for visa, in the right column are pdf - files, these please open and print before closing the window, - this is the receipt that you have paid. Unfortunately, on some computers in the middle of the process, the navigation no longer appears. In this case, try again from another device.
You will then receive two emails, one that you have requested and a little later one that the visa has been approved.
Often you can not find the attachment advertised in these messages (depending on the computer and the browser) When you retrieve the message from your smartphone, the attachment can often be opened. Or you go to the server interface of your email account and see the message there, where you can open the attachment.
Please note that as a rule on Fridays and Saturdays no processing of the online visa applications takes place!
Unfortunately, the visa can no longer be applied for at the Omani embassy.
If you have any questions or problems, contact the organizer who sold you the trip.
Please understand that we cannot provide telephone support for customers of other organizers when applying for a visa.
We gladly process the visa applications of clients who have made their travel arrangements with us.
Entering Oman by land
All land borders are closed for entry and exit into the Sultanate until further notice. Further border closures at short notice cannot be ruled out. International flights and entries from currently ten countries (including South Africa, Brazil) are suspended until further notice. There is a ban on all entries from the UK. Omani nationals are exempt from this regulation.
In general, you need a valid visa to enter Oman from the United Arab Emirates. When traveling from Oman to the United Arab Emirates, it should be noted that an Omani visa is issued for single-entry and does not entitle one to re-enter Oman, but requires a new visa.
In addition, the visa requirements of the United Arab Emirates should be observed. Upon arrival in the Emirates at the airport in Dubai there are currently no fees levied for a tourist visa. But if you travel from the Emirates over land to Oman, for example, to Musandam, you will have to pay an exit fee to the Emirates plus the entry visa to Oman.
Regulations pertaining to visa are promulgated by the authorities of each country, and are subject to change without notice. It is traveler's own responsibility to fulfill the terms and conditions as required.
Customs
The import of weapons, pornography, alcohol, Israeli currency and fresh food is forbidden. Bringing in plants or flowers with roots or bulbs requires a special license.
Video cassettes, DVDs and electronic media may be retained by customs for censorship. Domestic pets must go into quarantine.
The export of antiques and historic cultural artifacts and assets, such as antique curved daggers (khanjars) and archaeological finds, as well as fossils or corals, is strictly forbidden. The current legal restrictions designed to protect national cultural and environmental assets are detailed in a list of forbidden objects which can be obtained at Seeb airport (Muscat) – please stick to these regulations and be prepared for stringent checks on leaving the country. Marine life and desert flora and fauna are strictly protected and controlled.
The customs inspectors at Seeb airport have the most up-to-date screening devices and will not damage film.