visa exemption as a medium to boost tourism in oman

Introduction

Oman is once again welcoming visitors and is making a lot of efforts to promote tourism there. The Omani officials have confirmed that qualifying nationals of more than 100 countries worldwide can now come to Oman without a visa for up to 10 days. This follows their announcement in July of last year that tourist visas would've been prolonged through March 2021. Oman's COVID outbreak fatalities stagnated in comparison to other countries, and the sultanate did not experience a healthcare system catastrophe. If you are planning to visit Oman for a longer period you need to get a hold of a proper Oman visa that can be acquired at the website Oman IE visa without facing any delays.

READ ALSO: NEW COVID RULES IN OMAN

Oman sans-free entry

Oman would waive the entry visa requirement for citizens of 103 countries for stays up to 10 days to boost tourism and stabilize the country's faltering economy. It is necessary that visitors must have a confirmed hotel reservation, health insurance, and a return ticket. Following a suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic, Oman announced that it would once again issue tourist visas to visitors travelling on itineraries planned by hotels and travel agencies. On October 1, the Gulf state restarted international flights, although only nationals and those in possession of legitimate residency and work permits were permitted to enter.

Purpose of the exemption

In March, Oman's government felt they had no choice but to stop issuing visas, like many other nations throughout the world. The travel restriction on corporate transatlantic flights was abolished on October 1, 2020, and visas slowly began to be issued once more. Foreigners from a number of nations were finally permitted to apply for tourist visas once more, provided that they were visiting Oman as part of an organized tour, even though preference was given to work permits. With the purpose of boosting the country's economy, Oman started granting people visa-free permits into the country. The necessities for accessing this permit are mentioned above. 

READ ALSO: OMAN VISA EXTENSION DETAILS

Visa exemption for a 10-day visit

Relaunching the borders did not boost Omani tourism to the levels of the previous year. Visitors from 103 nations can access Oman without a visa for stays up to 10 days, which could further entice tourists to travel to the Gulf country. On December 10, 2020, the regulation went into effect.

The citizens of 103 countries will be excluded from entrance visa requirements to the sultanate for a period of 10 days, subject to the stipulated control system and circumstances, including the involvement of a previous and affirmed hotel accommodation, medical insurance, and connecting flight tickets. This announcement was made with the assistance of tourist mobility and to expedite the travellers desiring to visit the sultanate.

Prerequisites to be met for a visa-free entry

Visitors must adhere to the following requirements in order to travel without a visa. The following requirements must be met: 

• A 10-day limited stay.
• PCR screening at the Muscat International air terminal, and one-month minimum health insurance coverage (in case the visitor requires hospitalization due to contracting COVID-19 and cannot leave the sultanate within 10 days).
• Verification of lodging reservation, return ticket or other evidence of continuing journey (both hotel and rental accommodations are acceptable).
• Having Tarassud, a contact tracing app, downloaded. The HMushrif app must also be downloaded by visitors who want to remain for more than 7 days.
• Completion of the pre-travel enrollment process in its entirety.

The overseas tourist must cover the cost of the PCR test, and 25 Omani rials, and can do so via the Tarassud app before arriving in Oman. They might expedite the test by presenting the verification HR code to the local councils after boarding.

The test is not mandatory for children under the age of 15. Visitors must isolate themselves while they await the results. Results typically take 12 to 24 hours. Some travellers, nevertheless, might be required to stay in confinement indefinitely.

READ ALSO: ONE DAY TRIP TO MUSCAT

Conclusion

The epidemic had a significant impact on the sultanate's economic sphere, which is already in a precarious phase of trying to pivot away from its dependence on oil reserves. In March, Oman's government felt they had no choice but to stop issuing visas, like many other nations throughout the world. This was a part of a bigger effort to stop the infection from spreading and it mostly affected immigrants. Oman has a lot to offer tourists in terms of ideology, tradition, and scenic wonders, so it is not surprising that the nation chose to increase foreign tourism as a means of supporting its economic expansion by providing visa-free entry for 10 days and Oman visa for longer stays.

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