Oman introduces new visa regulations

The eVisa Oman Twitter account announced on 18 February 2018 that the Sultanate of Oman was changing its application process for express and tourist visas.

The official online visa system’s account, citing the directorate of public relations at ROP (Royal Oman Police), said applications for both visa categories would not be accepted anymore at the conventional visa service desks.

Therefore, foreigners will now have to apply online through the website of the Royal Oman Police eVisa, www.evisa.rop.gov.om, where an application form must be filled by them and payments would be accepted through debit or credit cards.

The changes are to be effected from 21 March. In July 2017, Oman introduced the e-visa service in a bid to encourage international tourism.

The system became operational for both nationals of 67 countries, in addition to GCC residents working in 116 professions. The Gulf country also relaxed rules for 25 countries’ passport holders in October by allowing those having entry visas to the EU, the US, the UK, Australia or Canada to get non-sponsored tourist visas.

The tourist visa fee was, however, hiked fourfold from $13 to $52 in April 2017. On the other hand, the duration of stay has been hiked to 30 days, up from the earlier 10 days to a month with the possibility of further extensions.

Oman is expecting four million tourists to visit it every year by 2020.

If you are looking to travel to Oman, talk to Y-Axis, the world’s no.1 immigration and visa company, to apply for a tourist visa.