New zero-fee visa allows Oman to offer short-term entry without charge, while Indian passport holders remain subject to existing conditions until officially included
Oman has introduced a new 14-day tourist visa with no fee, but Indian travellers will have to wait for an official eligibility list before knowing whether they can use the facility.
The new measure was introduced under Royal Oman Police Decision No. 109/2026, announced on August 2 and brought into effect the following day. The decision allows Omani authorities to grant a zero-fee tourist visa to citizens of countries designated by the competent authorities.
The visa is valid for a maximum of 14 days and cannot itself be extended or converted into a residence permit. Travellers may, however, move to another eligible tourist visa category before the free visa expires, subject to the applicable requirements and fees.
For Indian passport holders, the key issue is that India has not yet been confirmed on the list of countries eligible for the new visa. Until Oman publishes that list, existing entry arrangements remain in place.
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Under the current rules, Indian citizens can qualify for visa-free entry for up to 14 days if they hold a valid visa or residence permit from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan or a Schengen country
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Eligible Indian nationals who are residents of a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) state can also benefit, provided their profession meets Oman’s requirements
Those who do not meet these conditions generally need to obtain an appropriate Omani visa through the Royal Oman Police’s online eVisa system. Oman requires visitors using the 14-day exemption to have a passport valid for at least six months, a return ticket, confirmed accommodation, health insurance and sufficient funds for their stay.
The new zero-fee visa adds to Oman’s existing visa-exemption framework covering more than 100 countries and regions. If India is included in the new list, the measure could make short leisure and business trips to Oman simpler for Indian travellers.
