Muscat: The summer outbound travel season begins in the Sultanate of Oman, but citizens are required to take note of the distinct visa requirements of each destination.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a new visa-free entry policy for citizens of four Gulf countries: Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain. from June 9, 2025, to June 8, 2026, allowing ordinary passport holders from the four countries to enter China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days.
The Foreign Ministry has said that Omanis that the mutual visa exemption agreement between the Sultanate of Oman and the Russian Federation will be effective upon completion of the necessary procedures by both parties.
According to Visaindex.com, options include visiting without a prior visa, visa-on-arrival countries, and Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) countries.
Oman passport holders can travel without a visa to the following countries that include Albania, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belarus, Botswana, Brunei, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Cook Islands, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, Georgia, Haiti, Hong Kong, Iran, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyztan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritius, Micronesia, Morocco, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, St.Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine, the UAE, Uzebkistan and Türkiye and Zambia among others.
Omani nationals are eligible for a visa on arrival in the following 34 countries, including which include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Iraq, Maldives, Nepal, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Yemen.
As per Visaindex.com, upon arrival at the immigration checkpoint in the destination country, travelers may need to complete the requisite paperwork, provide any necessary documentation, and pay the visa fee.
In most cases, a visa can be obtained at the airport or border crossing point upon arrival. Fees, validity, and allowed duration of stay may vary.
Upon arrival at the immigration checkpoint in the destination country, travelers may need to complete the requisite paperwork, provide any necessary documentation, and pay the relevant visa fee. The immigration officer will subsequently issue the visa, granting the visitor authorization to enter and remain in the country for the specified duration and purpose.
Oman passport holders are eligible to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before visiting the following 3 countries (Kenya, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom). An eTA is a digital travel document required for eligible travelers who are visa-exempt for a specific country, and it can be obtained online before travel.
Omanis are required to apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) before traveling to 32 countries, including Bhutan, India, South Africa, Taiwan, Uganda, and Vietnam.
Oman passport holders need to apply for a regular visa before traveling to around 113 countries, including those in the Schengen area.
"Visa processing times, fees, and required documents vary by the traveler's nationality and the destination country. To obtain a visa, travelers generally need to apply at the destination country's embassy or consulate in their country of origin or country of residence, providing required documents such as a passport, photographs, itinerary, proof of financial means, and other relevant information. It is important to check the specific visa requirements for your destination country before planning your trip to ensure that you have the appropriate documents and permissions for your visit," Visaindex.com said.
Marita Bachhav, regional head of VFS Global, which processes visa documents and collects applications for most countries, told the Observer that Europe remains a popular destination for travellers from Oman and demand for visas, especially during peak travel seasons like summer holidays, is higher than other times of the year.
"Travellers can apply for Schengen visas up to six months before the intended date of travel, and we urge applicants to plan and apply for their visas well in advance to avoid any delays," she said.
According to Wego.com, GCC or Oman residents can travel without a visa or with a visa on arrival to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Indonesia, Jordan, Maldives, Nepal, Seychelles, Tanzania, and Zanzibar, apart from countries within the GCC.
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