Oman launches free 14-day tourist visa with conversion option under new entry rules
Eligible visitors can stay for two weeks free and switch to longer tourist visas
DUBAI – Oman has introduced a free 14-day tourist visa for eligible foreign nationals under new entry regulations designed to simplify travel and attract more international visitors.
The move marks a significant change in the Sultanate's visa policy by allowing travellers to convert the complimentary visa into other tourist visa categories before it expires.
The changes were introduced through Royal Oman Police Decision No. 109/2026, issued by Lt Gen Hassan bin Mohsin Al Shraiqi, Inspector General of Police and Customs. The amendments came into force a day after their publication in the Official Gazette.
Free 14-day tourist visa
The amended executive regulations of the Foreigners' Residence Law empower the competent authority to grant eligible nationals a 14-day tourist visa free of charge, subject to conditions determined by the authorities.
A key feature of the new rule is that visitors will be able to convert the free visa into another tourist visa category before its expiry, provided they meet the relevant requirements and pay the applicable fees.
The amendment adds the new visa category to Article 10 of the executive regulations and lists it in the official entry visa schedule under Article 29, with the visa fee set at zero Omani rials.
Who is eligible?
Omani authorities have not yet published the official list of nationalities eligible under the new visa category. The regulations state that the facility will apply to citizens of countries designated by the competent authority.
However, Oman already offers 14-day visa-free entry to citizens of more than 100 countries and territories, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, most European Union member states, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Brazil, South Africa, Russia and the Philippines, among others.
GCC nationals, including UAE citizens, continue to enjoy separate entry privileges and do not require tourist visas to enter Oman.
Eligibility criteria
Visitors using Oman's existing short-stay entry scheme are generally required to:
- Hold a passport valid for at least six months.
- Have a confirmed hotel booking.
- Possess a return or onward travel ticket.
- Show proof of sufficient financial means to cover their stay.
The competent authority may prescribe additional conditions for the new free visa category.
Previously, travellers entering Oman under the 14-day visa-free arrangement generally could not extend or convert their stay into another visa category.
The new regulation removes that limitation for eligible visitors by allowing them to switch to another tourist visa before the free permit expires, making it easier for travellers who decide to extend their holiday without leaving the country.
The move forms part of Oman's wider efforts to streamline entry procedures, boost tourism and support economic diversification by making the country more accessible to international visitors.
What remains unclear?
While the new regulation has come into force, authorities are yet to announce several operational details, including:
The full list of eligible nationalities.
- Which tourist visa categories can be used for conversion.
- The application process for changing visas.
- Processing timelines.
- The applicable conversion fees.
Further guidance is expected from the competent authorities in the coming weeks.