All visitors (except those with
Gulf Co-Operation Council passports) require a visa to enter
Oman. Visas can be obtained on arrival. All visitors require a passport with spare pages valid for six months (or a year for a multiple entry visa), onward or return tickets and all documents needed for the next destination. Gulf States nationals need only their National Identity Card for entry.
Americans: A valid passport is required. A single entry 'Visit Visa' valid for one month, or one year multiple entry visa (for maximum of three weeks stay per visit) is required.
UK nationals: A valid passport
is required. A single entry 'Visit Visa' valid for one month, or one year multiple entry visa (for maximum of three weeks stay per visit) is required.
Canadians: A valid passport is required. A single entry 'Visit Visa' valid for one month, or one year multiple entry visa (for maximum of three weeks stay per visit) is required.
Australians: A valid passport is required. A single entry 'Visit Visa' valid for one month, or one year multiple entry visa (for maximum of three weeks stay per visit) is required.
South Africans: A valid passport is required. A single entry 'Visit Visa' valid for one month, or one year multiple entry visa (for maximum of three weeks stay per visit) is required.
Irish nationals: A valid passport is required. A single entry 'Visit Visa' valid for one month, or one year multiple entry visa (for maximum of three weeks stay per visit) is required.
New Zealanders: A valid passport is required. A single entry 'Visit Visa' valid for one month, or one year multiple entry visa (for maximum of three weeks stay per visit) is required.
Health
No vaccinations are required for entry to Oman, except for yellow fever for those entering within six days of having been in an infected area. Visitors should ensure they are up to date on all routine vaccinations. Avoid mosquito bites, as dengue fever may be a risk, and there is a small risk of malaria in remote areas. Brucellosis is reported, particularly in the south of the country. Health and medical services in the country, particularly Muscat, are of a high standard, but are expensive for foreigners (Oman nationals receive free treatment), so health insurance is recommended. Food and water in Muscat is considered safe, but bottled water and precautions with unpasteurized milk are advised outside of the city.
Safety
Like all the Gulf States, Oman is considered to be under a high risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, particularly against Western interests, therefore vigilance is necessary. Crime, though, is not a problem for visitors, although common sense precautions should be practiced. Rental and company vehicles have been vulnerable to robbery in the southern areas of
Thumrait, Marmul and Nimr. Women are advised not to wear shorts or scanty clothing in the towns to avoid risk of sexual harassment. The strongest cyclone to hit the Gulf in decades struck Oman in June 2007, causing wind and flood damage to the capital, Muscat.
