Types of Visa in Oman

Oman, famous for its rich cultural heritage, dynamic location, and booming economy has emerged as a sought-after destination. Be it tourism, business, or professional opportunities, the country offers all. Given this, understanding the different types of visa in Oman is important.

If you are planning a vacation, relocating for employment, or looking for business opportunities in Oman, this blog is for you. Here, we take you through the various visa services in Oman which can be customised as per your needs. Read on to learn about different types of visa in Oman and visa requirements.

Different Visa Types in Oman

From company registration in Oman to applying for a new job, a visa is mandatory for all. In Oman, visas are categorised into four categories. Let us look at them in detail:

Resident Sponsored Visas

With the authorities offering different types of visa in Oman, the resident sponsored visa is for individuals who are planning to stay for a longer duration. Under this category, the individual is backed by a local sponsor who can be a family member or an employer. Visas like student visa and investor visa fall under this category.

Let us look at the sub-types of resident sponsored visas:

1. Employment Visa: In Oman, this visa is issued to foreign nationals who relocate to the country for jobs with Omani companies or government agencies. Employment visa in Oman allows residency with the help of the employer, who acts as your sponsor. The visa application process is usually handled by the sponsor.
2. Employment Visa with Endorsee: This type of employment visa in Oman allows residency for a sponsored worker with endorsee. Also known as ‘Employment Companion Visa’, it allows the endorsee, usually the person who is dependent on the worker such as the child or spouse to stay in the Sultanate.
3. Family Joining Visa: This visa permits residency for a family member of an Omani native or a foreign resident staying in the country.
4. Relative Joining Visa: This visa permits residency for spouse and children to live with the foreign resident, who is employed in Oman. The visa also permits residency for a foreign spouse of an Oman citizen.
5. Student Visa: The student visa permits residency in the Sultanate of Oman for pursuing education in a college, university, or other authorised educational institution located in the country.
6. Investor Visa: For those looking for business setup in Oman, the investor visa is ideal. This type of visa in Oman enables an investor to stay in the country for a duration from 1 year to 10 years. The visa encourages foreigners to start a business in Oman.

Resident Unsponsored Visas

Unlike the other visa types in Oman, the resident unsponsored visa is granted to individuals who want to stay in the country for a longer period without needing an Omani sponsor. To be eligible for this visa, you must be retired, have property, or have a valid Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) residency permit . There is one sub-type under this category known as :

1. Property Owner Visa: It permits residency of a foreign owner of a housing unit in a tourist complex which has been approved by the concerned authority.

 Visit Sponsored Visas

The Sultanate offers different types of visa in Oman for short-term stays or vacations. One such visa is the visit sponsored visa which allows foreigners to visit the Sultanate for tourism, short-term work, or family visits. To avail this visa, a local sponsor is required who can be any Omani entity such as relatives, company, or a government agency. Let us look at the sub-types of this visa :

1. Tourist Visa: This visa is good for tourists who are in Oman to explore the Sultanate's natural beauty, historical sites, and cultural heritage.
2. Cruise Ship Passenger and Crew Visa: A type of temporary visa, it permits a crew member or passenger aboard a cruise ship to enter the country for the duration of their employment-related responsibilities.
3. Family Visit Visa: The short-term visa allows a foreign national to enter Oman for visiting a friend or relative, who is an Omani national or a foreign resident residing in Oman. To avail the visa, the resident must submit the application on behalf of the family member who is visiting the Sultanate.
4. Short Work Visa: The Oman work visa can be availed for work purposes. It permits a sponsored worker to live in Oman for a brief but fixed period of time.
5. Multi-entry Visit Visa (sponsored): This is a unique visa which enables a foreign professional or entrepreneur to make multiple visits to Oman.
6. Express Visa: It permits foreign professionals or entrepreneurs having certain specific occupations to visit the country. The visa must be  sponsored by a local citizen or the foreign embassy.
7. Business Visit Visa: The short-term Oman business visa permits a foreign entrepreneur to enter the country for business-related purposes.
8. Band Visa: This type of visa is for musicians, troupes, or band members of a group, visiting the Sultanate of Oman for concerts or other cultural activities. The application must be sponsored by an approved Omani sponsor.
9. Official Visit Visa: It is for government officials, diplomats, or individuals representing a foreign country on official work. This type of visa has to be mandatorily sponsored by a government organisation in Oman.
10. Festival Visa: If you wish to participate in a festival or exhibition, the Omani authorities grant a festival visa. To obtain this type, the festival must be approved by the Omani Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Visit Unsponsored Visas

From the various types of visa in Oman, visit unsponsored visas are for short-term and granted to foreign nationals, who are eligible for visa on arrival, visa-free, or have e-visa arrangements. Some of the sub-types of this visa are:

1. GCC Resident Visa: The type of visa in Oman permits a GCC resident, who is on the list of approved professions or is accompanied by such an individual as a sponsor to visit the country.
2. Oman/Qatar Common Visa: Out of the many types of visa in Oman, this unique visa permits an individual to visit, only if the person is on the list of eligible nations, who must first travel to Oman and then to Qatar.
3. Dubai/Oman Common Visa: This visa permits an individual to visit the Sultanate of Oman only if the person is from an eligible nation holding a tourist visa to enter Dubai, and wishes to enter the country.
4. GCC Citizen Companion Visa: It permits a GCC resident to enter provided they are accompanied by another GCC citizen, who acts as the sponsor.
5. Truck Driver Visa: This type of visa permits a truck driver or an assistant to enter and exit Oman by road while complying with the  immigration regulations laid out by the Directorate General of Passports & Residence (DGPR).

Why Commitbiz?

Oman’s emerging economy is attracting people from all over the world. Whether you are visiting as a tourist, planning for long-term residency, looking for employment or business opportunities in Oman, it is crucial to understand the above discussed types of visa in Oman.

With each visa type having its own eligibility criteria and paperwork, you must review the visa requirements for a smooth entry into Oman. Contact us if you wish to avail any of the available visas.  Our consultants will help you enter the Sultanate of Oman in a hassle-free manner and with proper documentation to achieve your desired goals.