Oman - eVisa or Visa on Arrival
Oct 8, 2017, 4:25 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 278
Oman - eVisa or Visa on Arrival
I was doing some investigation earlier today, for a forthcoming trip to Muscat. On the MCT airport website, then have a link to be able to purchase an eVisa for tourists.
Has anyone here done this? (I'm not keen on being a first of type for using new stuff - or even a fast follower! Prefer to use tried and tested methods
)
Has anyone here done this? (I'm not keen on being a first of type for using new stuff - or even a fast follower! Prefer to use tried and tested methods
)
Oct 8, 2017, 6:23 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: AS 100K, UA MM, AA MM, IC Plat Amb, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 3,146
I did the Oman eVisa online in February 2017. The process was pretty painless, although the Web site was a little wonky (as many government Web sites seem to be). I paid with my American credit card and printed out the receipt, and it was accepted without comment when presented to the immigration inspector.
The only advantage of the eVisa (as far as I can tell) is that you pay the visa application fee online instead of paying it when you get there. On my last entry, the line to pay the visa application fee was almost empty, so the eVisa didn't really save me much time. I suppose that it gets one more bureaucratic process out of the way, which is always welcome.
The only advantage of the eVisa (as far as I can tell) is that you pay the visa application fee online instead of paying it when you get there. On my last entry, the line to pay the visa application fee was almost empty, so the eVisa didn't really save me much time. I suppose that it gets one more bureaucratic process out of the way, which is always welcome.
Oct 9, 2017, 12:16 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,410
When possible I always prefer to apply for an eVisa rather than Visa on Arrival, the reasons being:
1. You don't have to "struggle with" cash before/upon arrival, e.g. making sure you have the right type of currency and right amount
2. It usually saves you from standing in an additional queue, which can be empty, but can also be long
3. Peace of mind, once you have your eVisa there is one less option to be denied entry
1. You don't have to "struggle with" cash before/upon arrival, e.g. making sure you have the right type of currency and right amount
2. It usually saves you from standing in an additional queue, which can be empty, but can also be long
3. Peace of mind, once you have your eVisa there is one less option to be denied entry
Oct 10, 2017, 2:09 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,005
When possible I always prefer to apply for an eVisa rather than Visa on Arrival, the reasons being:
1. You don't have to "struggle with" cash before/upon arrival, e.g. making sure you have the right type of currency and right amount
2. It usually saves you from standing in an additional queue, which can be empty, but can also be long
3. Peace of mind, once you have your eVisa there is one less option to be denied entry
1. You don't have to "struggle with" cash before/upon arrival, e.g. making sure you have the right type of currency and right amount
2. It usually saves you from standing in an additional queue, which can be empty, but can also be long
3. Peace of mind, once you have your eVisa there is one less option to be denied entry
On arrival the visa purchase part usually rocks along quite nicely, and I've never had a problem paying (very quickly) with credit card. The wait can come for the immigration desk - but I've always got through before, or as, my bags arrive: so nothing lost, time-wise.
The other side of the E-visa's certainty is it's a sunk cost. If plans change and you don't travel, you can't get a refund.
Oct 26, 2017, 9:55 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 844
Not wanting to muddy the clear waters you describe, but my last visit I witnessed an awful lot of faff for E-visas. They had a dedicated desk dealing with these: no idea if this is normal - it's not something that has attracted my attention before.
On arrival the visa purchase part usually rocks along quite nicely, and I've never had a problem paying (very quickly) with credit card. The wait can come for the immigration desk - but I've always got through before, or as, my bags arrive: so nothing lost, time-wise.
The other side of the E-visa's certainty is it's a sunk cost. If plans change and you don't travel, you can't get a refund.
On arrival the visa purchase part usually rocks along quite nicely, and I've never had a problem paying (very quickly) with credit card. The wait can come for the immigration desk - but I've always got through before, or as, my bags arrive: so nothing lost, time-wise.
The other side of the E-visa's certainty is it's a sunk cost. If plans change and you don't travel, you can't get a refund.
Oct 27, 2017, 6:50 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,343
Unfortunately I wasn't able to ask anyone about this on my recent transit through MCT (which did not involve passing through immigration - I would have if I only had to pay 5 riyals for 5 hours but I wasn't going to pay 20).
useful if flying from point A through DXB to MCT .
Oct 28, 2017, 12:57 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,005
The visa on arrival at MCT is straight forward.pay money inc paying by cr card,fill landing card,and get in.sometimes slow moving line for immigration.if one has recent entry AND exit stamp from Dubai (not UAE) AND has qualifying passport,then there is no visa necessary ie free entry.useful if flying from point A through DXB to MCT .
However, it's worth pointing out that the Dubai exemption requires an exit stamp from Dubai prior to your arrival at MCT. So you can't simply transit Dubai airport and expect a free entry to Oman.
I once got an exemption arriving from Sharjah, on the strength of a Dubai arrival stamp. But I was made to understand the general rule is arriving from Dubai, rather than UAE.
Nov 3, 2017, 5:06 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 844
Someone recently suggested on here that this common visa no longer exists. I also heard the same thing from a second source. There is no reference to it on the new Oman police website and one of the websites which shows information from Timatic says it's only valid when entering Oman through MCT.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to ask anyone about this on my recent transit through MCT (which did not involve passing through immigration - I would have if I only had to pay 5 riyals for 5 hours but I wasn't going to pay 20).
I believe you probably know this but you can't just "fly through DXB", you need to pass through immigration there as well.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to ask anyone about this on my recent transit through MCT (which did not involve passing through immigration - I would have if I only had to pay 5 riyals for 5 hours but I wasn't going to pay 20).
I believe you probably know this but you can't just "fly through DXB", you need to pass through immigration there as well.