Visitors to Oman should purchase a visa in advance of travelling to the country, Omani police said. From Friday, November 1 all nationalities travelling to the UAE’s neighbour should secure an eVisa before setting off. Applicants need to visit the online government portal to upload their passport copy, a second photo and pay five Omani Rials, about Dh50, for a 10 day unsponsored visitor visa. Royal Oman Police said physical visas will be handed out as an "exception to the rule". Applications can be made for an unsponsored or sponsored tourist visa, tourist visa for GCC residents or an express travel permit. The process can take up to four days to complete, but is free for visitors arriving from Dubai and Qatar. Passports should be valid for at least six months before entering the country. Depending on the nation of origin, visa fees can cost between $13 (Dh50) and $130 (Dh500). If you are a GCC resident: you can travel using a GCC Resident Tourist Visa if you are the main traveller with an approved profession, or Visa Type 29B if you’re the companion of the main traveller. If you do not have a residency in GCC, visitors must apply for the Dubai and Oman Joint Visa through one of the Oman’s embassy offices or tourist travel agency. Once approved you can enter through the airport or Hatta border post, although the visa duration must be valid for at least 21 days pre-entry to Oman. A step-by-step guide how to apply for an unsponsored tourist visa can be viewed online via a YouTube link on the Omani government portal. Applications can be made at <a href="https://evisa.rop.gov.om/home.%0b%0d%0d%0b">https://evisa.rop.gov.om/home</a> <em>This article was updated on November 14 at the request of Omani authorities to clarify that physical visas are available on arrival as an exception</em>
