Useful travel information

Everything you need to know before traveling to Oman

Visa

Nationals from over 100 countries are exempt from entry visas for stays up to 14 days. A visa is required for longer stays. The specific type of permit depends on the traveller’s needs and circumstances. Some travellers may want to stay longer in Oman to discover its sublime secrets, including the desert, oases and lively cities. In such case, it is common to process a 26B visa, that it is valid for up to 30 days in the country and costs 20 OMR. The easiest visa to obtain for tourists is the Oman eVisa or on arrival.

Travel Documents

Your passport should have at least 6 months’ validity remaining on your date of entry to Oman. It is highly recommended to keep a copy of your passport and identity card in case of loss.

Healthcare

The standard of public hospitals is quite high, with most of them housing excellent modern facilities. Standards are generally comparable to those in Europe although treatments varies according to the location. There are also good private hospitals. Hospitals are well equipped and doctors usually speak English. Under normal conditions, all foreigners are required to use the private health care system and, only in cases that they cannot afford, are they referred to a public hospital.

Pearl of Arabia provides for each client a travel insurance with coverage of up to €300,000 of medical expenses.

Currency exchange

Currency is easily exchanged in banks, money exchange centres and major hotels. It is advisable to take Euros, US. Dollar or Pounds Sterling. Note that exchange rates may be more expensive in hotels and at the airport. Money can also be exchanged in banks, hotels and souks. Please note that exchange rates may be more expensive in hotels and at the airport.

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency, but amounts exceeding 6,000 Omani rials must be declared by all travellers.

Credit cards are widely accepted and there are numerous ATMs even in small towns.

Mobile/Internet connectivity

Mobile phone coverage throughout Oman is very good. We recommend you check with your service provider before travelling however to see if there are any data roaming packages available to you in Oman. A local pre-paid SIM card in Oman is the best option to better manage your call costs and data. Internet access is also good in Oman.

Pearl of Arabia provides a local SIM card for each client.

Dress code

The dress code in Oman is comparatively relaxed, but extremely revealing and inappropriate clothing may be considered offensive. Oman does not put any dress code restrictions on visitors but it is advisable you dress modestly in public areas including shopping malls. Clothes should cover the tops of the arms and legs (to below the knee), and underwear should not be visible. To enter mosques men should wear t-shirts that will cover their shoulders and long pants. Meanwhile, women are required to wear a shirt with long sleeves up to the wrist, long pants and a headscarf, or light shawl to hide the hair. You should not wear swimming attire in public areas, except on tourist beaches or at swimming pools.

Timezone

Time in Oman is given by Gulf Standard Time (GST) (UTC+04:00). Oman does not observe daylight saving time. Oman is 2 hours ahead of Spain in summer and 3 hours ahead in winter.

Electricity

For Oman the associated plug type is G, for which the plug has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern and Oman operates on a 240V supply voltage. If your usual plug is incompatible, you should buy a travel adapter.

Road network

Driving in Oman is generally quite easy. Oman has an excellent road network and all road signs are bilingual (Arabic/English).
Petrol stations are spaced at regular intervals and all fuel filling stations provide basic public amenities such as toilets and other services. Petrol is very cheap (about 0.5 euros/litre) and most roads are monitored by radar.

Foreign visitors and tourists who hold valid international driving licences or licences issued by their own countries are allowed to drive in Oman up to three months from the date of his/her entry into the sultanate.

Tipping

Tipping in Oman, while not expected, is important to the service industry. It is customary for porters, guides, drivers and restaurant staff to receive a fiscal gesture of appreciation if you are satisfied or pleased with their service. Naturally it is discretionary, but leaving a 10% gratuity in a restaurant, for example, is recommended.

Photography

If you want to photograph locals, or their property, please ensure that you ask their permission in advance. Photography of certain military or government sites is not allowed. Flying drones or remote-controlled flying devices without a valid licence is against the law.