Oman: visa and entry rules

Passport and documents. EU, UK, US, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand passport holders are listed for a visa-free visit of up to 14 days. Bring a passport valid for at least six months, a return ticket, confirmed hotel booking, health insurance and sufficient funds. Other passports may have extra eligibility requirements.

Before booking, check the current safety and flight situation in Oman.

Fourteen days under the short-visit exemption. This permission cannot be extended or converted into a residence visa. For a longer stay, work or study, arrange the appropriate visa through Royal Oman Police before travelling. Follow the dates and conditions of the permission you actually receive.

Russian passports have a separate agreement: up to 30 days per visit and 90 days per calendar year, excluding residence, study and activities requiring a work permit.

Oman's borders: every crossing point

Oman's land border crossings, listed by the neighbours it shares a border with:

Six crossings with the UAE. Al Wajajah - Hatta: the main one, carrying the principal road to Muscat and Nizwa. Hafeet - Mezyad near Al Ain: for Al Buraimi and Ibri. Khatm Al Shikla near Al Ain: mostly freight. Khatmat Malaha near Kalba: for the east coast. Ad Dara in Musandam: for Khasab. The Dibba checkpoint in Musandam.

With Saudi Arabia a direct road across the Rub al Khali desert opened in 2021: before that there was no direct land link between the two countries and you had to go around through the UAE.

The border with Yemen is not used for travel.

Musandam is a separate story. This exclave is cut off from the rest of Oman by UAE territory, so the only way to reach it overland is through Emirati land, crossing two borders.

Driving to Oman

People drive across the UAE crossings regularly — this is the main overland route into the country.

A rental car from the UAE has to be cleared separately. Rental companies require a permit for taking the car into Oman arranged in advance and separate insurance, and without them you are turned back at the border.

Check the time limit for the temporary import of a private car with the customs service of the country you enter.

Omani insurance is compulsory — an Emirati policy does not cover you here by default.

An International Driving Permit is required.

Travelling to Oman with a pet

An import permit is required, arranged in advance with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

An international-standard microchip is compulsory.

The rabies vaccination must be valid on the date of entry.

The veterinary certificate is endorsed by the state veterinary service of the country of departure.

Certain dog breeds are banned from import.

Confirm vaccination and test timings with your carrier before buying tickets.

Check the permission granted to your passport. The 30-day visit and 90-day calendar-year limits belong to the separate Russian agreement. They do not replace the 14-day short-visit exemption for the passports listed above.

Overstaying can lead to fines and detention. Resolve an overstay with Royal Oman Police before departure and keep time available for the formalities; do not rely on a tight onward connection.