The Sultanate of Oman has recently released an official circular allowing all residents in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to enter the Sultanate of Oman without a visa.
Visa Free To Oman: The new circular from the Directorate General of Passports and Residence regarding the visa of residents of GCC countries stated
- All residents of the GCC countries have the right to enter the Sultanate of Oman for all commercial professions.
- It is not required for people to come from the country of residence. For example, a resident of any GCC country is not required to arrive directly from that GCC country to avail this facility. It is permitted at any time and from any destination they arrive from.
- For the application of what is stated in items 1 and 2 above, it is required that the residence visa be valid in the GCC for a period of no less than three months.
- The above mentioned procedures referred to are applied, taking into account the importance of following the policy of granting visas to restricted nationalities.
Visa Free To Oman: What is GCC ?
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a political, economic, social, and regional organization according to its charter. It is a regional co-operation system between the Arab States of the Gulf created to meet the challenges imposed by surrounding circumstances. The geographical proximity of the GCC states and the similarity of their regulations and economic and social conditions were additional factors that helped in the establishment of the GCC.
The GCC was established on 4 February 1981 and held its first summit meeting on 25 May 1981 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Summits have been held every year since then.
Visa Free To Oman For Member States of the GCC Residents Below:
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
Earlier, eligible GCC residents had to apply for an e-visa through the official government portal prior to their travel to Oman.
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However, to be eligible for visa free to Oman, the GCC residence visa must be valid for a period of no less than three (3) months.
Oman’s airports authority confirmed that all GCC residents have the right to enter the Sultanate for commercial professions.
It marks a change in entry rules – and opens the door to greater cooperation between states in the region. Crucially the Oman visa-free entry rules specify that you don’t have to come from the GCC nation concerned, just that you have to be a resident.
As stated by the authorities, the new rule is applicable across all commercial professions at any time, regardless of a traveler’s point of departure. Furthermore, residents are not required to arrive directly from their country of residence to enjoy this benefit. The rule will be applicable and they will be permitted entry at any time and from any destination they arrive from.
You are reading: Visa free to oman
You can also read: New UAE Golden Visa, Green Visa, long-term visit visa rules come into effect 3/10/22
Visa Free To Oman; To make your trip a truly memorable exercise in cultural exchange and mutual respect, here are some things to know before you go to Oman.
Expect to spend time outdoors
The most enjoyable experiences in Oman are outdoors, from gentle walks through palm plantations and watching nesting turtles on the beach to scuba diving in thriving marine reserves.
You are likely to spend a significant amount of time on road trips to get to historic medieval forts, charming fishing towns, picturesque tidal lagoons and freshwater pools hidden away in the valleys.
Wild camping is allowed, and opportunities to do so abound around the country. Pack comfortable clothing suitable for the outdoors, a tent and a sleeping bag.
Learn local greetings
Omanis are friendly, hospitable and courteous, and these qualities are likely to permeate every interaction that you’ll have as a visitor. In Oman, conversations, however brief, and whether between strangers or friends, always begin with a proper greeting, usually “as salam alaykum” which translates to “peace be upon you.”