Oman Visa RequirementsFor United Kingdom passport holders
UK citizens need an eVisa to enter Oman. Apply online before travel at the Royal Oman Police eVisa portal. The 30-day single-entry visa costs 20 OMR (approximately £40) and is usually approved within 1 to 3 business days.
United Kingdom passport holders must apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) online before traveling to Oman.
Apply online at evisa.rop.gov.om (Royal Oman Police official eVisa portal). No third-party agents or visa agencies are needed; the official portal is straightforward to use.
- Valid British passport (6 months validity from arrival date)
- A digital passport photo
- Your travel dates and intended accommodation in Oman
- Debit or credit card for payment (Visa or Mastercard)
Required at application:
Processing time: 1 to 3 business days in standard cases. You receive approval by email. Print or save the approval; you will present it at Omani immigration on arrival alongside your passport.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
For Your Visa Application
eVisa approval
Apply online at evisa.rop.gov.om before travel. Print or save the eVisa approval email. Present it at Omani immigration on arrival alongside your passport. The standard tourist eVisa (30 days, single entry) costs 20 OMR (~£40).
Valid UK passport
Passport valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into Oman. One blank page for the entry stamp.
Digital passport photo
A recent digital passport photo is required for the online eVisa application.
Debit or credit card
Visa or Mastercard required to pay the 20 OMR eVisa fee on the Royal Oman Police portal.
Required at Entry
Valid passport with Oman eVisa
Your passport and printed or digital eVisa approval. Present both at immigration on arrival at Muscat International Airport (MCT).
Return or onward ticket
Confirmed booking showing your departure from Oman.
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or host contact details in Oman.
Current Travel Situation
United Kingdom to Oman: What You Need to Know
UK citizens require a visa to enter Oman. The standard route is an eVisa, applied for online before travel through the Royal Oman Police portal at evisa.rop.gov.om. There is no facility to apply at a UK consulate or embassy; the eVisa portal is the official and only standard route.
- Single entry, 10 days: 5 OMR (approximately £10)
- Single entry, 30 days: 20 OMR (approximately £40)
- Multiple entry, 1 year (max 30 days per visit): 50 OMR (approximately £100)
eVisa options:
For most tourists, the 30-day single-entry visa is sufficient. The 1-year multiple-entry visa is practical if you plan to visit Oman more than once, or if your trip involves crossing into the UAE and re-entering Oman.
Processing is typically 1 to 3 business days. Apply at least a week before travel to allow a buffer for any processing delays. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry.
Extension: If you wish to stay longer than 30 days, extensions can be applied for at Omani immigration offices inside the country.
How to Get There
Non-stop: Oman Air operates daily non-stop flights from London Heathrow (LHR) to Muscat (MCT), recently expanded to twice-daily service. Flight time is approximately 7 hours 10 minutes. Oman Air flies from Terminal 4 at Heathrow.
Connecting options: Emirates (via Dubai), Qatar Airways (via Doha), Etihad (via Abu Dhabi), flydubai, and Air Arabia all offer one-stop connections. Journey time with connection is approximately 9 to 11 hours depending on the hub and layover.
Money & Banking
UK debit and credit cards work well in Oman. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, and larger petrol stations. ATMs are readily available in Muscat and major towns. No significant DCC or hidden-fee issues are commonly reported.
Cash is useful for souqs (markets), smaller restaurants, taxis, and rural areas. The Omani Rial (OMR) is one of the highest-valued currencies in the world: 1 OMR is approximately £2. Budget accordingly.
Withdraw OMR from ATMs on arrival; airport ATMs are available 24 hours. Exchange booths at Muscat International Airport also offer competitive rates.
Practical Tips
Oman is consistently rated one of the safest and most welcoming countries in the Middle East for British tourists.
Dress code: Conservative dress is expected in public. Both men and women should cover shoulders and knees outside beach and hotel resort areas. At mosques and government buildings, full modest dress is required. Swimwear is acceptable at hotel pools and beaches.
Photography: Military installations, government buildings, and people without consent should not be photographed. Oman's forts and landscapes are spectacular and widely photographed by tourists.
Driving: Oman has excellent roads and self-driving is a popular way to explore. An International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your UK driving licence is recommended for car hire. Drive on the right.
Weather: October to April is the ideal season (25 to 30°C, low humidity, sunny). May to September is extremely hot, particularly inland (regularly above 40°C). The Dhofar region (Salalah) has a summer monsoon (khareef) from June to September, bringing lush greenery and cooler temperatures, making it a counterseason highlight.
Currency: Omani Rial (OMR), pegged to the USD. Not accepted outside Oman; exchange before departure or withdraw on arrival.
Alcohol: Available in licensed hotels and some restaurants in Muscat. Not sold in general shops or public areas. Drinking in public is illegal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UK citizens need a visa for Oman?
Yes. UK citizens require a visa to enter Oman. The standard route is an eVisa, applied for online before travel at evisa.rop.gov.om (Royal Oman Police official portal). No visa is available on arrival for standard tourist visits.
How do I apply for the Oman eVisa?
Apply at evisa.rop.gov.om before your trip. You will need your passport details, a digital passport photo, your travel dates, and a Visa or Mastercard to pay the fee.
- 30-day single entry: 20 OMR (~£40)
- 10-day single entry: 5 OMR (~£10)
- 1-year multiple entry (max 30 days/visit): 50 OMR (~£100)
Options:
Processing takes 1 to 3 business days. Apply at least a week before travel.
How long can I stay in Oman on an eVisa?
The standard 30-day single-entry eVisa permits a stay of up to 30 days. If you need longer, extensions can be applied for at Omani immigration offices inside the country.
The 1-year multiple-entry eVisa (50 OMR) allows multiple visits with each stay up to 30 days, useful if you plan to travel between Oman and the UAE and return.
Are there direct flights from the UK to Oman?
Yes. Oman Air operates daily non-stop flights from London Heathrow (LHR) Terminal 4 to Muscat (MCT), recently expanded to twice-daily. Flight time is approximately 7 hours 10 minutes. Connecting options via Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, and flydubai are also available.
Do UK bank cards work in Oman?
Yes. UK Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards work well in Oman. Cards are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, and larger petrol stations. ATMs are readily available in Muscat. Cash (Omani Rial, OMR) is useful for souqs and smaller local businesses outside Muscat.
When is the best time to visit Oman?
October to April is the ideal season: temperatures of 25 to 30°C, low humidity, and sunny. May to September is extremely hot, especially inland (regularly above 40°C). The exception is Salalah in the Dhofar region, which has a summer monsoon (khareef) from June to September bringing lush green landscapes and cooler temperatures.