How to Apply for an Oman Visa in Atlanta

Tourists from Metro Atlanta seeking historic ruins, stunning dive sites, mountain hiking, and upscale beach resorts are discovering the Middle Eastern national of Oman.  Located on the southeast corner of the Arabian Peninsula at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, Oman shares land and maritime borders with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Pakistan.

The oldest independent state in the Arab world, the Sultanate of Oman is an absolute monarchy that has been ruled by hereditary sultans for centuries.  From the 17th Century through the early 20th Century, the Omani Sultanate was an empire that competed with the British and Portuguese empires for influence across the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf.  Over time, a series of treaties between the sultans and Great Britain provided the British a greater role in Oman as the Omani Empire declined.  The discovery of petroleum in 1964 transformed the area’s economy into the richest in the world and created a modern petrostate.

Today, the majority of Oman’s 4.5 million residents are Arab Muslims and Arabic is the official language. “Omanis are very polite and friendly people, some of the friendliest in the world,” according to World Nomads (https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/middle-east/oman/customs-and-etiquette-tips-for-travelers-to-oman).  The region also reflects traditional Arab cultural norms. “Women should always be dressed conservatively, keeping their shoulders, chest, and legs covered while traveling around Oman,” the publication continued. “Wear loose fitting clothing, as wearing tight pants and tops in extremely hot temperatures isn't ideal.  When visiting mosques, men should wear long pants and women should have their heads covered.”

While oil accounts for more than 70% of the country’s gross domestic product, the remainder of the economy is driven by diversified industries, fishing, and coastal trade.  More than 100 U.S. companies have operations or business activities in Oman, according to the U.S. Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA).  In 2021, the United States exported $1.4 billion in goods to Oman while importing $1.86 billion in goods from the sultanate. “Oman’s strategic location at the crossroads of regional markets, combined with its modern, efficient infrastructure, and an educated, largely bilingual workforce, make it an attractive location for U.S. trade and investment,” ITA stated (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/oman-market-overview).

To further diversify its economy and create a more sustainable society, Oman recently launched Oman Vision 2040 (https://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC201987/), an ambitious 20-year national plan. “Oman is developing incentives for foreign investors, including tax and fee incentives, permissions to invest in several new industries, lower government fees, expanded land use, and increased access to capital for qualifying companies,” ITA noted. “Oman seeks to diversify its economy through projects in manufacturing, logistics, tourism, mining, and fishing.”

In the tourism sector, the sultanate intends to expand tourism employment from the current roughly 90,000 to more than 535,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2040.  Much of the required investment to add 80,000 new accommodations and other hospitality-related infrastructure is expected to come from the private sector.  The plan also calls for boosting annual foreign and domestic tourists from 2013’s 1.4 million to 11.7 million by 2040.

In the present day, Oman already offers an unforgettable travel experience for visitors from the Atlanta area.  About half of Oman’s people live in the capital city of Muscat.  The ancient port city is known for its stone forts and watchtowers, courtyard restaurants, contemporary buildings, and restored mansions.  Its numerous mosques include Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the largest in Oman.  Other popular attractions include the Museum of Omani Heritage, the National Museum of Oman, Omani Aquarium and Marine Science and Fisheries Centre, the recently-built Royal Opera House, and historic Bait Al Falaj Fort.  At traditional markets (souqs) such as Seeb Souq and Mawelah Vegetable Market, you can buy ceremonial daggers, frankincense, lamps, handmade sandals, and headpieces.  Modern shopping destinations range from the Al Qurum Commercial Area to the city’s largest modern malls, Oman Avenues and City Centre Muscat.

“Only a short distance from the city centre, crystal clear waters and scenic, unspoilt, sandy beaches stretch out against a backdrop of the dramatic western Al Hajar Mountains that dominate the landscape of the capital,” the government noted (https://fm.gov.om/visitors/tourism-information/). “Within easy reach of Muscat, you can enjoy fishing, diving, and dolphin watching experiences, and explore wonderful sinkholes, caves and hot springs.”

Other non-urban destinations embrace Oman’s cultural, historic, and natural heritage.  UNESCO has designated five World Heritage sites in Oman: the Aflaj Irrigation Systems; the ancient city of Qalhat; the archaeological sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn; ancient Bahla Fort and its labyrinth; and the Land of Frankincense.  The latter includes frankincense trees, port cities, and caravan sites along early trade routes.  In Nizwa, the Nizwa Fort sits near its namesake market, famed for silver jewelry and spices.  Desert sites range from the undulating dunes of the Shariquay Sands to the calmer Empty Quarter.  Observe native animals such as the oryx (antelope) of Hayma wildlife sanctuary; sea turtles on the Ras al Hadd and Ras al Jinz beaches; coastal whale- and dolphin-watching; wild birds at Masira Island, and the parrots of Muscat.

Adventurous travelers from Atlanta can also find plenty to keep them busy.  Jebel Akhdar (or Green Mountain) in the Hajar Mountains features quiet villages, local farm produce, and hiking trails along the Saiq Platreau.  Jebel Shams, Oman’s highest peak at almost 10,000 feet, provides canyon hikes and overlooks, pools hidden among rocky landscapes, and guided tours.  Sporting events include horse and camel racing, the Dubai-Muscat sailing regatta, the Sinbad Classic deep-sea fishing content, endurance races, motorcar rallies, and the Tour of Oman professional bicycle race.  The 1,700-kilometer Oman coastline also offers sparkling beaches, world-class resorts, more than 1,300 species of fish, and some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling in the Middle East.

Oman Visa Requirements

Citizens of the United States and more than 100 other countries can visit Oman for up to 14 days without obtaining a visa.  There are a few basic requirements, such as having a hotel reservation, return ticket, valid passport, and health insurance.  Nationals from GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries are not required to obtain a visa regardless of length of stay.  Lists of visa-exempt and visa-required countries can be found at https://fm.gov.om/visitors/entry-visas/.

For those visitors from Atlanta who wish to stay for more than two weeks (or for citizens of countries that are not visa-exempt), the Sultanate of Oman offer a variety of visa types.  The most popular type of visit is the unsponsored Tourist Visit Visa.  Other visas include resident- and visit-sponsored visas and non-sponsored visas, as shown at https://evisa.rop.gov.om/en/types-of-visa.

Obtaining an Oman Electronic Visa (e Visa) from Atlanta

Oman transitioned from paper to electronic visas (e Visas) in 2018.  Since that time, paper, tourist, and express visas are generally no longer issued by the Royal Oman Police at airports, border crossings, or by overseas consulates. (There are exceptions for GCC country residents.) There are also some variations for citizens of Canada and Mexico, so check your country of naturalization to be on the safe side.  To avoid the risk of being turned back at the border, the government recommends getting an e Visa in advance of your visit.

The online application form and details about the e Visa are available at https://evisa.rop.gov.om/en/home#.  You will need to create an account, complete the application, attach the required documentation, and submit your fees through the website.

U.S. citizens need to have a passport valid for at least six months after their planned entry date to Oman.  The passport should also have at least one blank page.  Information to submit on the unsponsored tourist application includes:

  • Passport details.
  • Basic personal information.
  • Recent digital photograph (no larger than 512 kb).
  • Travel itinerary (such as flight and hotel reservations).
  • Personal email address.
  • Form of fee payment.

Most completed e Visa applications are processed within 24 hours, but give yourself at least four days before your departure date in case there are delays.  When approved, you will receive your e Visa by return email.

The unsponsored e Visa is valid for 30 days after issue, while a sponsored visa is good for up to 90 days.  The standard tourist visa allows one visit of 10 to 30 days, but you can also get a multi-visit unsponsored visa that allows additional 30-day visits over a year’s time.  For a sponsored visa, you can stay six to 12 months and it can be extended for another three months.  Fees vary by the length of your visit, ranging from OMR 20 (about USD 52) to OMR 50 ($130).  However, fees and currency rates fluctuate, so check the website for current costs.

The process for Atlanta-based business travelers to obtain a business visa is similar to that for the tourist e Visa.  However, you will also have to submit proof of business ownership/employment, state the reason for your visit, meet the health and character requirements, demonstrate access to sufficient funds, and a copy of your invitation from an Omani businessperson if appropriate.

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

Visa Supply can help you complete your electronic visa application and answer your questions about visiting Oman.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the government of Oman.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans. 

If you live in Atlanta or anywhere in the state of Georgia and have difficulty applying for an Oman visa, or require assistance with any part of the visa process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company.  We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Oman visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents. 

We provide the following Oman visa services for our customers in Atlanta:

  • Oman Tourist Visa
  • Oman Business Visa
  • Oman Diplomat Visa
  • Oman Student Visa
  • Oman Work Visa
  • Oman Hotel Accommodations