Residents, listen up! In case you’re planning a trip to Oman during the upcoming long weekend, you will have to plan your trip in advance as authorities have now made e-visa compulsory to enter the country. The e-visas will take up to four days, once applied online. The move is brought in to reduce long queues at the UAE-Oman borders, especially during long weekends.
The next time you’re planning a trip to Oman, make sure you do so in advance. The country now has new visa rules for UAE residents. Authorities have now made e-visa compulsory to enter the country. Previously, visitors could fill a form and obtain visa on arrival at the immigration counters at the border.What’s It?
However, tourists must now apply for an e-visa via the visa website https://evisa.rop.gov.om/ to legally enter Oman. Previously, residents had complained about the long queues at the immigration counters, especially during public holidays like the upcoming National Day.
The visa is priced at AED 50 and will be valid for four weeks, with extension of an additional week. The website further mentions that all GCC residents can travel using visa type 29A, if you have an approved profession. In case you’re the companion of the main traveller, you can opt for visa type 29B. Non-residents must apply for the Dubai/Oman joint visa through the embassy. The joint visa with Dubai is free, but the traveller has to travel directly to Oman from Dubai.
What Else?
Meanwhile, in a sudden announcement, Saudi announced a staggering rise in Hajj visa fee, triggering anger among pilgrim-goers. The country raised its short-term visa price almost six-folds, making the trip an expensive affair.
According to the recent change, a single entry visa will now cost $533, up from $93, a multiple entry, 6-month visa would cost $800 and a one-year visa would cost $1,333. The new visa fee is applicable to all travelers visiting the country for religious, business or tourism purposes. However, the revised visa charges do not apply to those traveling to Hajj for the first time. Besides, those traveling on non-mandatory pilgrimage- ‘Umrah’, will also not be affected by the new visa policy.