Movement of residents within GCC made easier

GCC residents of all professions are now able to enter Oman for business, tourism and other purpose from any border, including countries where they don’t reside. However, residents still need visas which are available on arrival at all border posts of all the GCC countries.

According to a circular issued by Oman Airports, Oman now allows all GCC residents with a valid resident and work visa issued by UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia or Qatar immigration authorities, irrespective of their profession.

A source at Oman Airports told Muscat Daily that under the new rule, expats with valid residency and work visas will be allowed to visit any GCC country from any where, not only from the country of residence.

“The new scheme means that all GCC residents, including residents in Oman, can now travel freely in other GCC countries.

However, visas will be issued on arrival for a fee. They cannot be denied entry as long as the residence visa is valid for a period of no less than three months,” an official said.

According to the official, the move will boost tourism in all GCC states.

“Also, on short holidays, expats in Oman will be able to visit other GCC countries easily without worrying about visa applications because they will be offered visa on arrival,” he added.

The news stirred excitement among Oman's expat community.

“Now that I am allowed to travel to any GCC country from any other country, I will be able to travel from India to Dubai as long as my Oman visa is valid. This is a good move,” Tasleem Khan, a businessman based in Muscat, said.

“All along we had to apply for visa online but now we are happy that we can get visas on arrival or even at border posts. I like driving to Dubai and this announcement will make things easy. Hopefully, one day they will also remove visa-on-arrival charges, too,” said Anwar Abdullah, a Tanzanian resident in Oman.

The new scheme means that all GCC residents, including residents in Oman, can now travel freely in other GCC countries. However, visas will be issued on arrival for a fee

Oman airports OFFICIAL