New UK Entry & Transit Requirements being rolled out for many nationalities

Are you planning to travel through the UK (in transit) or visit it without requiring a visa?

Passports and Stamp
Passports and Stamp

If so, you might want to know about the new Continue readingNew UK Entry & Transit Requirements being rolled out for many nationalities

THE EU MAY SOON OFFER VISA FREE TRAVEL TO OMANI CITIZENS

The EU may soon offer Visa free travel to Omani citizens. Draft legislation will have to be endorsed by the full house of the European Parliament. Who knows – perhaps a reciprical arrangement will be made – Visa free travel for EU citizens into Oman…

Visa Entry & Exit stamps UAE & Oman
Visa Entry & Exit stamps UAE & Oman

https://timesofoman.com/article/124137-european-parliament-panel-nod-to-visa-free-travel-for-omani-citizens

The Last Word for IASA my unexpected contribution to the International Association for the Study of Arabia

I am absolutely delighted that the International Association for the Study of Arabia (IASA https://iasarabia.org/) gave me the ‘last word’ in their 2022 Autumn Edition (number 29).

The Last Word - International Association for the Study of Arabia IASA Bulletin 2022
The Last Word – IASA Bulletin 2022

The IASA is a charitable organisation that exists to advance public knowledge of the Arabian Peninsula, through the promotion of research relating to its cultural and natural heritage. Continue readingThe Last Word for IASA my unexpected contribution to the International Association for the Study of Arabia

Oman Qatar Trade grows substantially

Trade volume between Oman & Qatar has grown dramatically from USDollars549 Million in 2016 to USDollar1.8Billion in 2019

Remarkably Oman is Qatar’s main destination for its non-Oil products. Currently, there are some 200 jointly owned Omani/Qatari companies in Oman and 350 jointly owned Omani/Qatari companies in Qatar.

Oman Qatar Meeting
Oman Qatar Meeting

Mohsin Khamis Al Balushi of Continue readingOman Qatar Trade grows substantially

Rustaq Oman has some remarkable new discoveries from Iron Age

After the British Foundation for the Study of Arabia (BFSA) Annual General Meeting, there was a good chance to listen to Dr Derek Kennet talk about Archaeology in Oman and especially the Iron Age archaeology of a little-studied region in Oman .

Dr Derek Kennet BFSA Talk Archaeology in Oman
Dr Derek Kennet BFSA Talk about a little studied region in Oman

Dr Kennet has Continue reading “Rustaq Oman has some remarkable new discoveries from Iron Age”

WILFRED THESIGER

Sir Wilfred Patrick Thesiger was born on 3 June 1910 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (then Abyssinia) into a life of privilege and aristocratic connections.

Wilfred Thesiger in Oman
Wilfred Thesiger is looked at by an Omani man

His father was the Continue reading “WILFRED THESIGER”

Tropical Cyclone Mekunu approaches Dhofar Oman

Cyclone Mekunu approaches Dhofar Oman and has formed to the south of the southern Oman coast of Dhofar. This Cyclone is relatively weak, with the ‘eye’ disintegrating and forward speed of less than 10kmph. However, the ocean surface temperature remains at over 31c and this will certainly provide an increase in the energy of the Cyclone as it approaches the coast.

Cyclone Mekenu 23 May MODIS NASA
Cyclone Mekenu 23 May MODIS NASA

Circulatory windspeeds of around Continue reading “Tropical Cyclone Mekunu approaches Dhofar Oman”

OMAN VISA application process is updated changes by Oman's Royal Oman Police to the tourist visa application process in Oman

Visiting Oman? Read on.

Below are the procedures to obtain a visa.
You will also want to read the Covid-19 entry requirements for Oman

The issuing authority of visas for Oman, the Royal Oman Police have announced that the Oman Visa application process is updated – read what needs to be done to apply for an Oman visit visa, based on their announcement.

Visa Entry & Exit stamps UAE & Oman
Visa Entry & Exit stamps UAE & Oman


The changes mean that the only way
Continue readingOMAN VISA application process is updated changes by Oman’s Royal Oman Police to the tourist visa application process in Oman

Oman Taxi services – new regulations

Oman’s Ministry of Transport and Communications have said that all Taxis (including the original Orange and White unmetered ones) will soon have fares set by the appropriate government authority . The Ministry intends to study supply & demand and operational costs, throughout the Sultanate.
It is reported that vehicles should have a tracking system, presumably

Oman Taxi Marhaba and traditional Orange and White
Oman Taxi Marhaba and traditional Orange and White

a GPS based one, along with a navigation system, perhaps Continue reading “Oman Taxi services – new regulations”

Oman and China sign for development of Bagamoyo Port in Tanzania

The relationship between Oman and China appears to becoming closer. China had a bumpy start in projects in Oman; its companies were involved the initial states of the Wastewater project

Sewage Pipeline Works Muscat
Sewage Pipeline Works Muscat

which must have been a steep learning curve Continue reading “Oman and China sign for development of Bagamoyo Port in Tanzania”

Salut Fort Bahla Oman Archaeological Site near Bisya is well worth visiting - if its made possible by the Oman government

Salut, Bahla Oman the archaeological site is some 26km southwest of Bahla in northern Oman. It may well turn out to be at the centre of the most important Oman archaeology site.

However, it’s hardly known and is, at the moment, not ‘open’ for casual visits. If entry is permitted I have included it in my updated Bradt Guide to Oman, below.

Salut, Bahla Oman Archaeological Site
Salut, Bahla Oman Archaeological Site – scale see people on hill.

The site is at the flood plain formed by Continue readingSalut Fort Bahla Oman Archaeological Site near Bisya is well worth visiting – if its made possible by the Oman government

Omans Mina Sultan Qaboos Waterfront has new developer

Oman’s OMRAN, the Oman Government Tourism development company, and UAE-based company DAMAC have announced a development partnership to develop the Mina Sultan Qaboos Waterfront into a $1 billion major integrated tourism and lifestyle destination in Muscat.

DAMAC & Oman Government organisations signing
DAMAC & Oman Government organisations signing

It will be part of the overall Continue reading “Omans Mina Sultan Qaboos Waterfront has new developer”