Oman visa costs 2026: 14‑day free entry, OMR 20‑150 fees

Quick answer: As of October 2026, Oman visa costs are minimal for GCC nationals (14-day free entry) and moderate for others: OMR 20 for a 30-day tourist visa, OMR 150 for a work visa, plus a mandatory OMR 120 annual health‑insurance premium. All applications can be tracked instantly via the Oman Immigration Authority’s online portal.

Oman visa costs: What are the Oman visa rules for expats in 2026?

Oman’s immigration framework in 2026 is built around three main categories for expatriates:

• Tourist visas – 30‑day single or multiple‑entry permits for leisure or short‑term business.
• Work visas – issued to employees of Oman‑based companies, requiring a sponsor and mandatory health insurance.
• Family visas – allow spouses and dependent children to join a resident worker; fees are tied to the primary work‑visa holder’s status.

Eligibility differs for GCC nationals versus non‑GCC nationals. GCC citizens (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait) can enter visa‑free for up to 14 days using their GCC National Identity Card, while all other nationals must apply for a tourist or work visa.

Required documents (common to most visa types) include:

• Valid passport (minimum 6 months remaining) – not needed for GCC free entry.
• Two recent 4 × 6 cm colour photographs on a white background.
• Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or employer‑provided housing).
• For work visas: a signed employment contract and a medical fitness certificate.
• Mandatory health‑insurance certificate (OMR 120 per year) issued by an Oman‑approved insurer such as Oman Insurance Company.

Fees and processing times are summarised in the table below.

All fees are listed on the Oman Ministry of Interior visa fee schedule (updated July 2026). The Ministry of Labour reported 78,000 new work permits in 2025 – a 4 % YoY increase (Oman Ministry of Labour annual report 2025).

Oman visa costs: detailed fee breakdown 2026

Below is a side‑by‑side comparison of the most common visa categories, including any ancillary charges that travellers often overlook.

These figures reflect the official schedule published by the Ministry of Interior and incorporate the mandatory health‑insurance premium introduced in March 2026.

Can UAE expats get a visa for Oman in 2026?

UAE citizens enjoy two pathways:

• Visa‑free entry – the GCC 14‑day free‑entry scheme allows UAE nationals to cross the border using only their GCC National Identity Card. No passport stamp, no fee, and the stay cannot exceed 14 days.
• Tourist visa – if a longer stay is needed, a standard 30‑day tourist visa can be applied for online. The fee is OMR 20 for a single entry and OMR 35 for multiple entry, identical to other non‑GCC nationals.

For employment, UAE expats must apply for a work visa through the Oman Immigration Authority’s online portal (Oman Visa Online Portal). The process includes uploading the employment contract, a health‑insurance certificate (OMR 120/year), and paying the OMR 150 processing fee. Applications are usually approved within 7-10 days.

Is Oman banning work visas for expats?

No. As of 2026 Oman continues to issue work permits to foreign nationals. The 2026 fee schedule raised the base processing fee to OMR 150 (≈ USD 390) and introduced a mandatory health‑insurance premium of OMR 120 per year, effective March 2026. The Ministry of Labour’s 2025 annual report shows 78,000 new permits, indicating a healthy labour‑market demand.

Future outlook: the Ministry of Labour has sign‑posted a continued focus on skilled‑worker recruitment, especially in tourism, logistics and renewable energy. No legislative move toward a work‑visa ban has been announced.

How does the 14‑day free entry for GCC nationals work?

The free‑entry scheme became active on 1 January 2026. It applies to citizens of the six GCC states (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman). Key points:

• Entry is permitted with a valid GCC National Identity Card; a passport is not required.
• Stay is limited to 14 calendar days per visit. Extensions are not permitted, but a new entry can be made after a short departure.
• Travelers may engage in tourism, attend business meetings, or visit family. Employment, study or long‑term residence still requires the appropriate visa.
• Customs duties, visa‑related fees, and health‑insurance requirements are waived for the short stay.

For detailed guidelines, see the GCC Secretariat’s National Identity Card guidelines.

What are the Oman visa requirements for UK citizens?

UK nationals must meet the standard non‑GCC criteria:

• Passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended departure date.
• Two recent passport‑size photos.
• Proof of accommodation (hotel reservation or employer‑provided housing).
• For work visas: a signed employment contract, medical fitness certificate, and OMR 120 health‑insurance proof.

Applications are submitted via the Oman Visa Online Portal. The British Embassy in Muscat can also process visas on a consular basis, but the online route is faster and cheaper.

What are the Oman visa requirements for Pakistani citizens?

Pakistani applicants face a few additional steps:

• All the standard documents listed above.
• A recent police clearance certificate from Pakistan (must be attested by the Omani embassy in Islamabad).
• Proof of sufficient funds – typically a bank statement showing at least OMR 1,000 for a 30‑day stay.

The visa fee remains OMR 20 (single entry) or OMR 35 (multiple entry) for tourist visas. Work visas follow the same OMR 150 base fee plus the health‑insurance premium. Because of the extra attestation step, processing may extend to the upper end of the 7‑10 day window.

How to check Oman visa status online?

In June 2026 the Oman Immigration Authority launched a real‑time visa‑status portal. Follow these steps:

1. Visit Oman Visa Online Portal – Status Checker.
2. Enter your application reference number (provided in the acknowledgment email).
3. Provide the applicant’s passport number or GCC ID number, then click “Check Status”.
4. The dashboard will display one of four states: “Submitted”, “Under Review”, “Approved”, or “Rejected”.
5. If rejected, a reason code is shown; you can re‑apply after correcting the issue.

Common errors include mismatched passport numbers and missing health‑insurance certificates. The portal also offers a “Download Visa” button once approval is granted.

What is the cost of an Oman work visa for expats in 2026?

The headline cost is OMR 150 (≈ USD 390) for the processing fee. In addition, every expatriate must purchase mandatory health insurance costing OMR 120 per year, issued by an Oman‑approved insurer such as Oman Insurance Company.

Potential additional expenses:

• Medical fitness exam – OMR 25‑30 (private clinics).
• Document attestation (e.g., educational certificates) – OMR 10‑15 per document.
• Optional premium health‑insurance upgrades – up to OMR 200 per year for broader coverage.

Overall, the typical first‑year out‑of‑pocket cost for a new expatriate worker is roughly OMR 285 (≈ USD 740).

Visa fee comparison

Labour‑law and gratuity side‑by‑side comparison

Oman’s gratuity is governed by Royal Decree No. 35/2003. The formula is 15 days of basic salary for each full year of service, payable at the end of the contract. Saudi Arabia, by contrast, mandates 30 days per year. The lower Oman gratuity can be a cost advantage for companies hiring long‑term expatriates.

For a worker earning OMR 1,000 per month, the gratuity after five years in Oman would be:

• Daily basic salary = OMR 1,000 ÷ 30 ≈ OMR 33.33.
• 15 days × OMR 33.33 = OMR 500 per year.
• Total after 5 years = OMR 2,500.

In Saudi Arabia the same employee would receive OMR 1,000 per year, or OMR 5,000 after five years – double the amount.

Source: Oman Ministry of Labour 2025 report.

Driving licence conversion: process and fees

GCC licence holders can convert to an Omani licence without taking a practical test, provided they submit:

• Original GCC driving licence (UAE, Saudi, Qatar, Bahrain or Kuwait).
• Valid passport or GCC National Identity Card.
• Medical fitness certificate (issued locally).
• OMR 30 conversion fee (July 2026 update).

Applications are processed at the Royal Oman Police Traffic Department. The new 7‑day turnaround (down from 14 days) speeds up relocation for expatriates.

Key takeaways

• GCC nationals can stay visa‑free for 14 days using their GCC National Identity Card – no passport fees.
• Non‑GCC tourist visas start at OMR 20 (single entry) or OMR 35 (multiple entry) and are processed in 3‑5 business days.
• Work visas cost OMR 150 plus a mandatory OMR 120 health‑insurance premium per year; total first‑year cost is around OMR 285.
• All visa applications can be tracked in real time via the Oman Immigration Authority’s online portal launched June 2026.
• Oman’s gratuity of 15 days’ salary per year is modest compared with Saudi Arabia’s 30 days, offering a financial edge for long‑term expats.

FAQ

• Can I extend the 14‑day free entry? No. The free stay cannot be extended; you must leave Oman and may re‑enter after a short departure.
• Do children of GCC nationals need a separate visa? Children travelling with a parent can use the same GCC National Identity Card; no additional visa is required for the 14‑day period.
• What happens if my work visa expires before renewal? Overstaying is penalised with fines and possible deportation. Employers are responsible for initiating renewal at least 30 days before expiry.
• Is there a penalty for overstaying a tourist visa? Yes. Overstay fines start at OMR 10 per day and increase after 30 days. Early voluntary exit can reduce the penalty.

Photos: Domenico Convertini / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0; Dr. Thomas Liptak / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0