The Oman Airport has relaxed visa requirements for all GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) nationals and holders of residence visas, according to a guideline issued on Wednesday.
All GCC residents are eligible to enter the Sultanate for commercial purposes visa-free, according to the Oman airport authority.
Visa-free entry to Oman for GCC nationals
A statement from Saud Nasser al Said al Hubaishi, vice president of Muscat International Airport, said the decision was based on directives received by Oman Airports from the Directorate General of Passports & Residence regarding visas for residents of Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC).
One of the key features of the Oman visa-free entry rules is that residents do not have to come from a GCC nation. They have to be residents of Oman.
Ex-pats living in GCC countries are subject to the same rules as Emiratis.
Visas for residents of GCC countries are now available according to a recently issued circular from the Directorate General of Passports and Residence:
- The Sultanate of Oman allows all commercial professions to be practiced by residents of the GCC countries.
To avail of this facility, people can come directly from their country of residence. For example, residents of any GCC country do not need to come directly from that country. - Applicants must have a valid residence visa for at least three months in the GCC in order to apply for items 1 and 2.
- Visas are granted to restricted nationalities following the procedures mentioned above.
- Prior to the revised visa rules, eligible GCC residents had to apply for an e-visa through the official government portal before traveling to Oman.
Countries in the GCC
The Gulf Cooperation Council, also known as the Cooperation Council for Arab States of the Gulf, is a group of regional, intergovernmental, political, and economic institutions.
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates.
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