Oman’s New Free 14-Day Tourist Visa: What It Means for Pakistanis (2026)

Oman has just rewritten part of its entry-visa rulebook. Under Royal Oman Police Decision No. 109/2026, published in the Official Gazette in early August 2026, the Sultanate introduced a brand-new free 14-day tourist visa category — with the fee set at zero Omani rials. It’s the kind of headline that immediately gets forwarded around Pakistani travel WhatsApp groups. But before anyone cancels their existing Oman visa plans, it’s worth understanding exactly who this applies to, and where Pakistan currently stands.

What actually changed

The amendment, issued by Inspector General of Police and Customs Lt Gen Hassan bin Mohsin Al Shraiqi, added a new visa category to Article 10 of the executive regulations of the Foreigners’ Residence Law, and entered force the day after publication. Eligible travellers can now receive a 14-day tourist visa completely free of charge, with the option to later convert it into a different tourist visa category — subject to fees — before it expires. The stay itself cannot be extended or converted into any residence visa.

Who qualifies — the two-group system

Oman’s broader visa-exemption framework, which this new free-visa category sits alongside, splits eligible nationalities into two groups. All applicants must hold a passport valid for at least six months, a confirmed return ticket, a hotel booking, health insurance, and proof of sufficient funds.

• Group 1: full 14-day exemption, no extra conditions
• Group 2: must also hold a valid US, Canada, UK, Australia, Schengen or Japan visa/residency
• Group 2 alternative: GCC residency in an eligible profession
• GCC nationals (Saudi, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain) already enter visa-free
• Exemption extends to accompanying spouses and children, even of different nationality
• Stay cannot be extended or converted into residency

Where Pakistan stands right now

This is a genuinely developing story. Oman has a long-standing wider exemption system covering 100+ nationalities, largely European, GCC-adjacent and South American countries, plus a Group 2 pathway for holders of Western visas or GCC residencies — but Pakistan has not historically been part of either group, which is why Pakistani nationals still apply for the paid eVisa today. Whether Pakistan will be added to the new free-visa list is unknown until Muscat releases the official schedule. We recommend not assuming eligibility, and instead confirming any changes directly through the Royal Oman Police or Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking travel around it.

How Pakistanis can still visit Oman today

The good news: applying for Oman remains straightforward. Pakistani citizens can apply for an unsponsored tourist eVisa online, with a standard fee of around $20 USD. The tourist eVisa is generally valid for use within one month of issue and permits a stay of up to 30 days, with processing typically taking a matter of days depending on the visa category and season — it’s sensible to apply at least two to three weeks before travel.

• Passport valid 6+ months from date of entry
• Recent digital photograph (under 512 KB)
• Confirmed return flight ticket
• Hotel booking or sponsor details
• Valid travel/health insurance
• Bank statement showing sufficient funds

What to watch next

Oman has been actively courting tourists in 2026, and this free-visa move follows a pattern of Gulf states competing to simplify entry — the UAE recently resumed family visit visas for Pakistanis, and Qatar and Saudi Arabia have both adjusted their own visa frameworks this year. If Oman does eventually extend the free 14-day category to Pakistan, it would mark a meaningful shift for a market that has, until now, paid for every Oman tourist visa. Until an official list appears, treat news of “free Oman visas for Pakistanis” circulating on social media with caution.

Quick answers

Is Oman’s new free visa available to Pakistanis right now? Not confirmed. The eligible-country list under Decision 109/2026 has not been published, and Pakistan is not currently listed among nationalities covered by Oman’s existing exemption system.

Can a UAE or Saudi residency get a Pakistani a free Oman visa? GCC residency only helps under Group 2 of Oman’s exemption system, and only for nationalities already included in that group. It does not, on its own, apply to a Pakistani passport that isn’t on the list.

What visa should Pakistanis apply for today? The standard Oman tourist eVisa, applied for online, remains the correct route, with the usual $20 fee and supporting documents.

Visa rules and fees change quickly and can vary by case. Always confirm the latest requirements on official Omani government channels before booking flights or hotels.