Muscat Visa | is it a time saver

[u07ch]

Hi

I have a long overnight layover in muscat and think I would rather stay outside the airport. Does anyone have any feedback if getting the visa in advance is quicker to get through the airport or not?

Thank you 🙂

[Man of Kent]

Not sure what passport you have but British passport holders can stay for 14 days without a visa. If you do need a visa the UK Foreign Office suggests getting it beforehand to avoid the possibility of rejection on arrival.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/oman/entry-requirements

[u07ch]

Its more about the time; wondering if its quicker to get the evisa before arrival.

[LD27]

We went to Muscat on a BAH on one of the last BA flights there in 2020. At that point an evisa was required and maximum stay was 10 days and we got it in advance. From my recollection everything was very quick and straightforward both for evisa and immigration.

We loved Oman. Hired a car – driving was much easier than we expected. Do visit the mountains and the forts.

[John]

As you don’t need a visa, there isn’t any way getting one would save you time

[redlilly]

Heading to Oman myself in mid October, for a 7 day stay with a girlfriend.

I don’t agree with the “one doesn’t need a visa if you’re a Brit”. Testing both my Irish and British passports, the Irish foreign office website said a visa is needed, UK FCDO says no visa needed.

If you follow the link from the Irish foreign office website to the Omani visa website, the rules are the same for both British and Irish passport holders for each time allowance. I.e. in my case an e visa at a cost of £5 (9 Omani Rial) (or visa on arrival) for an up to 10 day visit.

Very confusing. I don’t have a data point to quote on visa app times, but I am going to apply for the e visa in September. I am doing this as, I like to be organised and we’re arriving super early in the morning, and I hate doing paperwork and getting loads more questions than needed when I am tired.

[Man of Kent]

Hi @redlilly we are heading to Oman just after you so I have been looking at this too. The Foreign Ministry of Oman is saying that both UK and Ireland are on a list of countries that don’t require a visa for stays of up to 14 days. I only have a UK passport so wasn’t planning on getting a visa. The only wrinkle I can see from your perspective is that the UK Foreign Office has a statement that says Oman does not recognise dual nationality – I agree, very confusing.

https://www.fm.gov.om/visitors/entry-visas/

It seems the visa is valid for 1 month from issue so check when you are applying that you don’t time yourself out.

Let me know how you get on and I also see you have posted in the Oman thread too so I will be interested to hear of your experiences if you are able to let us know. I will update this thread also on our return.

[u07ch]

There is another thread on Oman that suggests that getting arrival assistance is worth it to get through the airport quicker; im only going to be there for 13 hours but would rather wake up looking at the sea than a departure hall (also its another night on my route to 40 ihg this year to renew my lounge pass. I’m going through in the middle of October; going to get the arrival service and visa and see how it goes and will report back

[redlilly]

Data point – no visa required in advance between me (irish) and friend (british). No payment required either. Just rock up to the desk, and you get stamped in after a few questions.

Note that if you have entered Oman previously on another passport from the one you’re travelling on, they get suspicious. Heard an Indian born bloke, now British (having rescinded Indian passport) get a really hard time from the border police. They kept demanding to see his Indian passport – as he entered with Indian citizenship as a child.

[u07ch]

Promised an update; out of Oman now. Arrived from Bangkok at 2305; flight was early. Arrivals service was friendly but not required; there were about 50x passport staff per passenger landing – I was first from flight and only 10 of us landed. Having the arrival assistance helped with language but wasn’t really necessary. Everyone was friendly.

Did get a visa in advance; on UK passport it was approved in about 3 hours from applying.

Watched the sunrise from the intercontinental and had a decent breakfast; far better than sleeping in an airport hotel.