OMAN’S TRAVEL REGULATIONS IN WINTER 2020/2021

Muscat Airport
Oman’s Travel Regulations in Winter 2020/2021

to help understand the rapidly changing rules for Oman Visa 2020/2021 .

Visa Entry & Exit stamps UAE & Oman

Visa Entry & Exit stamps UAE & Oman

Always check on Oman government websites & with your airline before travelling to get the latest update.
Tourist aArrivals should have health insurance, return ticket, passport validity of at least six months on arrival date, and enough funds to meet the expenses during their stay in Oman & valid PCR test.

Fines are levied by the Oman government against airlines or travel operators who fail to ensure the regulations expected of them are not carried out, so expect rigorous document inspections when you check-in.

Critical is the entry visa if you are not an Omani . As of 10 December 2020  103 Countries have a Visa Free entry for a 10-day visit (meaning you just get your valid passport stamped on arrival) – this is updated to a 14 day visa.

Visa Free Entry into Oman
Visa Free Entry into Oman

Check carefully about this & changes on government websites –  providing you are considered eligible. If a person lives in the GCC and are not already on the country list 1 for Oman visas, they must be on the list of approved professions for a GCC visa to Oman  .

Visa Free Entry Oman
Visa Free Entry Oman

Always check with Oman’s Royal Oman Police website and Oman’s Ministry of Tourism web site for details and any changes before you book or travel.
There are 25 countries included in this list (these include India, Morocco, Albania, Bhutan) whose citizens can only obtain visa free entry if they are residents of or have entry visas to the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Schengen Agreement associated countries or Japan. All arrivals who are non-resident must have international health insurance that covers the cost of any Covid-19 care for a period of up to one month.

People Arriving in Oman

  • All people arriving in Oman must complete the eMushrif online form before entry.
  • All people arriving in Oman must have a PCR test at least 72-hours before their scheduled arrival and to present a certified medical certificate of a negative COVID-19 test result.
  • All arrivals into Oman from any country will be required to undergo another COVID-19 PCR test on arrival, wear Tarrasud+ bracelet, and isolate in an approved establishment at their own expense for 7 days.
  • The minimum stay period as on 20 January 2021 is 8 days.

    Oman Air Covid-19 Booking
    Oman Air Covid-19 Booking
  • Travellers are required to pre-book the PCR test through https://covid19.emushrif.om/traveler/travel, pay OMR 25 test fee, and download (Tarrasud+) application prior to arrival in the Sultanate.
  • Test results will be available within 24 hours – only deliverable to a Omani verified mobile number.
  • The test report can be viewed and printed electronically on https://covid19.emushrif.om
  • All arrivals from 15 February 2021 will have an obligatory ‘institutional’ 7 day quarantine period at an hotel – see here.
  • At the end of 7 days, travellers are required to undergo a new PCR test on the 8th day and if the test result is negative, the isolation period will end.
  • All arrivals into Oman are required to have international health insurance covering the cost of COVID-19 treatment valid for one month, except for citizens, GCC nationals, and passengers with free treatment card.
  • Children below 15 years old are exempt from the PCR test and Tarrasud+ bracelet requirements.
  • Diplomats working at foreign embassies accredited to the sultanate of Oman and diplomats visiting the Sultanate are exempted from COVID-19 PCR test. Tarassud+ and the bracelet, however, are subject to a seven-day quarantine.
  • Aircraft crew is exempt from the PCR test, Tarrasud+ bracelet requirements,  the isolation requirements, and are subject to the precautionary measures issued by the Ministry of Health.

Departures From Oman

  • Omani citizens and residents can travel abroad without pre-approval.
  • Omani citizens shall have health insurance covering COVID-19 valid in the country they are travelling to.
  • Check the latest COVID-19 travel and testing requirements for your destination.
  • Use online check-in, where possible, prior to arrival at the airport to avoid face-to-face contact at the airport
  • Travellers need to be at the airport at least 3 hours before the official time of departure or 4 hours at most.
  • Never travel if you display coronavirus symptoms.
  • A temperature screening takes place at the airport to identify passengers with fever. If you have a temperature above 38 degrees Celsius or higher, you will be asked to undertake a COVID-19 PCR test.
  • If required, PCR tests can be done at the Airport Drive-through and Walk-in facilities, located in P5 car park in Muscat and at the Cargo terminal in Salalah (follow the road signs).
  • The cost of this PCR test is OMR 19.
  • Test results will be available within 24 hours.
  • The test report is available electronically on https://covid19.emushrif.om

Oman Airports has put in place other measures.

  • You must have a valid air ticket to be allowed into the airport terminal building
  • Meeters and greeters are not allowed into the airport terminal, except for individuals accompanying passengers with special needs (one accompanying individual only).
  • Do not travel if you feel sick or have a fever.
  • Wear a face mask at all times while at the airport and during your trip. Face masks must be changed every 4 hours, so please bring enough for your journey
  • Maintain social distancing of at least 1.5 meters inside the airport terminal.
  • Check-in online to avoid face-to-face contact at the airport.
  • Avoid carrying your phone or other items in your hands when going through the check-in process and security checkpoints.
  • Clean and disinfect touched objects and surfaces, including mobile phones.
  • Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser frequently.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a paper towel cover or a flexed elbow when sneezing or coughing, even when wearing a mask.
  • Avoid unnecessary contact with others, including handshaking and other greeting gestures.Times of Oman

Author: Tony Walsh

Book author including the current Bradt guide to Oman