Is it safe to travel to Oman right now?

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Oman’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Oman set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Omani Embassy in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

To enter Oman, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

British-Omani dual nationals

Oman does not recognise dual nationality. If you hold both British and Omani passports, the Omani authorities may confiscate one of your passports.

Visa requirements

You can visit Oman for up to 14 days without a visa.

If you overstay or do not extend your visa or residency, the Omani authorities may fine and detain you. Fines can be up to 10 Omani rials a day, with a total maximum fine of 500 rials.

Applying for a visa

To stay longer than 14 days or for work, study or other reasons, you must have a visa. To avoid the risk of refusal, it’s better to apply for a visa online before you travel – you can select the ‘unsponsored visit visa’ option if you’re a tourist.

You can also get a visit visa on arrival at an airport in Oman.

Checks at border control

At Omani border control, you must be able to show:

• a ticket for return or onward travel
• proof of your accommodation – for example, a hotel booking
• proof of your travel health insurance

Vaccine requirements

You must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from Rwanda, Tanzania or a country listed as a transmission risk.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Oman guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Oman. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking medicines into Oman

Some UK prescription and over-the-counter medicines are illegal in Oman. Carry a copy of your prescription if you’re bringing medicine. Check with Oman’s Ministry of Health well before you travel.

Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.

The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

The Government of Canada can’t facilitate your entry into or exit from Oman.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry to Oman.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports and other travel documents

The Omani authorities may deny you entry if your passport shows an X in the “sex” field or if it includes an observation to that effect.

Visas

Tourism visa: not required for stays up to 14 days
Business visa: required
Student visa: required

You can obtain and pay for a visa upon arrival at Muscat International Airport. You can also apply for an e-visa before you travel through the Royal Oman Police portal.

Useful links

• Entry visas - Foreign Ministry of Oman
• Oman eVisa - Royal Oman Police

Employment

Omani employers must obtain a work visa and a single-entry for you, either before or after you arrive. Omani employers often insist on retaining foreign employees’ passports as a condition of employment. This practice is illegal. Do not agree to this, as it could restrict your ability to travel and provide leverage to the employer in disputes.

Regional travel

Canadians have been denied entry into Oman because their passports bore an Israeli visa, an Israeli border stamp, or an Egyptian or Jordanian border stamp issued by an office bordering Israel. Such a stamp would indicate the traveller has been in Israel.

Restricted zones

Some areas of the country are considered of strategic importance and cannot be visited without authorization from Omani authorities.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Children and travel

Learn about travelling with children.