Oman air layover at muscat
Jun 30, 2018, 4:40 pm
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Not the most helpful comment 
Follow the link below, then select unsponsored visas and look at details for visa type 23. You'll find visa sub-type 23A is a 24H visa available on arrival if travelling on Oman Air to a third country. It should be straightforward, but it's probably a good idea to call the airline and ask them to confirm the visa is available on arrival. The visa issuing process changed radically a few months' back, but easy access to the country for passengers on (say) overnight transit is essential for the working of the airline's hub at Muscat.
An alternative is to get a tourist e-visa in advance, it's a relatively simple process but the cost is a whopping OMR20: the short term tourist visa has disappeared.
https://evisa.rop.gov.om/en/types-of-visa?p_p_id=ViewVisaTypes_WAR_viewvisawizardportle t&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p _p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_count=1&_ViewVisaTypes_WAR_viewvisawizar dportlet_myaction=viewVisaType
Follow the link below, then select unsponsored visas and look at details for visa type 23. You'll find visa sub-type 23A is a 24H visa available on arrival if travelling on Oman Air to a third country. It should be straightforward, but it's probably a good idea to call the airline and ask them to confirm the visa is available on arrival. The visa issuing process changed radically a few months' back, but easy access to the country for passengers on (say) overnight transit is essential for the working of the airline's hub at Muscat.
An alternative is to get a tourist e-visa in advance, it's a relatively simple process but the cost is a whopping OMR20: the short term tourist visa has disappeared.
https://evisa.rop.gov.om/en/types-of-visa?p_p_id=ViewVisaTypes_WAR_viewvisawizardportle t&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p _p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_count=1&_ViewVisaTypes_WAR_viewvisawizar dportlet_myaction=viewVisaType
Last edited by IAN-UK; Jun 30, 2018 at 4:56 pm
Jul 1, 2018, 10:15 am
#48
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 844
Not the most helpful comment
Follow the link below, then select unsponsored visas and look at details for visa type 23. You'll find visa sub-type 23A is a 24H visa available on arrival if travelling on Oman Air to a third country. It should be straightforward, but it's probably a good idea to call the airline and ask them to confirm the visa is available on arrival. The visa issuing process changed radically a few months' back, but easy access to the country for passengers on (say) overnight transit is essential for the working of the airline's hub at Muscat.
An alternative is to get a tourist e-visa in advance, it's a relatively simple process but the cost is a whopping OMR20: the short term tourist visa has disappeared.
https://evisa.rop.gov.om/en/types-of...n=viewVisaType
Follow the link below, then select unsponsored visas and look at details for visa type 23. You'll find visa sub-type 23A is a 24H visa available on arrival if travelling on Oman Air to a third country. It should be straightforward, but it's probably a good idea to call the airline and ask them to confirm the visa is available on arrival. The visa issuing process changed radically a few months' back, but easy access to the country for passengers on (say) overnight transit is essential for the working of the airline's hub at Muscat.
An alternative is to get a tourist e-visa in advance, it's a relatively simple process but the cost is a whopping OMR20: the short term tourist visa has disappeared.
https://evisa.rop.gov.om/en/types-of...n=viewVisaType
Arrive, fill form,pay money,get immigration stamp, walk out.
Jul 3, 2018, 8:31 am
#50
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: DL, UA, AA
Posts: 82
Does the type 23A require airline sponsorship ? above website says so..
210. Must be sponsored by an airline which operates in Oman....
I checked with Oman Air and they say they, do not sponsor visas for layover of < 8 hrs , ours is 7h55mins...ridiculous.
Has anyone obtained above visa without airline sponsorship..?
Appreciate your response..Thanks
210. Must be sponsored by an airline which operates in Oman....
I checked with Oman Air and they say they, do not sponsor visas for layover of < 8 hrs , ours is 7h55mins...ridiculous.
Has anyone obtained above visa without airline sponsorship..?
Appreciate your response..Thanks
Jul 3, 2018, 9:33 am
#51
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: LHR
Programs: Accor PLT,Thai Silver, HH Dia, SPG Titanium (LT Gold), Aegean Gold, BA Silver
Posts: 5,115
I emailed the ROP and got the following response:
If you not live airport you don’t need a visa
If you want enter less 10 days you can take on arrival airport
Now it is a bit unclear and I am seeking further clarification as to the availability of a transit visa.
Another question is are visas still available on arrival.
All very confusing.
If you not live airport you don’t need a visa
If you want enter less 10 days you can take on arrival airport
Now it is a bit unclear and I am seeking further clarification as to the availability of a transit visa.
Another question is are visas still available on arrival.
All very confusing.
Jul 3, 2018, 9:56 am
#52
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: LHR
Programs: Accor PLT,Thai Silver, HH Dia, SPG Titanium (LT Gold), Aegean Gold, BA Silver
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The reply which confirms Ian's above post:
Yeas cost 5 RO
من:
تاريخ الإرسال: 03 يوليو, 2018 07:18 م
إلى: info-OmaneVisa
الموضوع: RE: Transit visa
Can you please confirm that the transit visa is available at the airport for a cost of 5 Riyals?
Thank you
Yeas cost 5 RO
من:
تاريخ الإرسال: 03 يوليو, 2018 07:18 م
إلى: info-OmaneVisa
الموضوع: RE: Transit visa
Can you please confirm that the transit visa is available at the airport for a cost of 5 Riyals?
Thank you
Jul 3, 2018, 7:10 pm
#53
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 844
visa is available on arrival for eligible nationalities for 5 Riyals. Arrive, pay your money , passport stamped, walk out airport.
Jul 5, 2018, 4:09 am
#56
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I think we are talking at cross purposes. There was a short term (7-day) tourist visa available for favoured passports, available on arrival. This was done away with last year, replaced by the standard 2-week tourist visa for OMR20, also bought on arrival at the Travelex window.
The authorities have now introduced a system of electronic visas which they are trying to make stick, though they are having to allow some leeway during an interim period which might last years .... or end tomorrow
. The standard tourist visa still costs OMR20.Partly to aid the Oman Air hub, transit visas should be issued on arrival. These should cost OMR5. The website suggests these stays should be "sponsored" by the airline. Lord knows what that means, but it would represent an administrative feat quite beyond the abilities of Oman Air. I imagine you'll want to have a copy of your itinerary/boarding cards ready to show.
It's pretty shocking if the airline cannot give clear advice on the current situation.
Jul 6, 2018, 11:01 pm
#57
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: SYD
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A few updates on Muscat lounges from around the web.
Primeclass lounge, which seems to get great reviews (and which some people prefer to the new Oman Air biz lounge) is, at least for the time being, accessible with Priority Pass:
https://www.prioritypass.com/en/Loun...-International
Oman Air Lounges - both First and Business Class lounges are now open, with some good photos from Lucky of OMAAT (First Class only) and Sam Chui (First and business class).
Looking forward to my visit in August
Primeclass lounge, which seems to get great reviews (and which some people prefer to the new Oman Air biz lounge) is, at least for the time being, accessible with Priority Pass:
https://www.prioritypass.com/en/Loun...-International
Oman Air Lounges - both First and Business Class lounges are now open, with some good photos from Lucky of OMAAT (First Class only) and Sam Chui (First and business class).
Looking forward to my visit in August
Nov 23, 2018, 6:44 am
#58
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: WY SL, EK Gold, CX MPO
Posts: 185
Has anyone passed through the WY lounge recently? Following the official opening of the airport last week can I hope that the spa has finally opened? Will be passing through next week so hoping to get a massage during my layover.
Nov 23, 2018, 10:00 am
#59
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,394
I say above ‘fairly impressive’ lounge because I actually feel the old lounge was very pleasant, and perhaps (?) with more variety of seating types, including alcoves (sort of) where one could tuck oneself away. In the new set-up, people appear to be more ‘concentrated’ and less spread out, so to speak. Would be interested in what others think. Either way, the food & drink offerings are very good.
As an additional data point : with so little in the way of F class routes on WY, the First section of the lounge continues to get remarkably little use, and is in fact often closed completely. I was given a mini-tour of the area by a helpful WY staffer and it is certainly very well specced ..... not least the top quality, very elegant, table settings beside the bar.
Nov 23, 2018, 10:11 am
#60
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: WY SL, EK Gold, CX MPO
Posts: 185
I’ve been in & out of MCT a few times earlier this month and think I used the (fairly impressive) WY lounge on three occasions. Each visit was fairly short and I didn’t investigate the availability of the spa. Is it meant to be on the upper level ? If so, then I fear the answer to your question may be no - on the basis that the upper level appeared to be still closed off. If, however, the spa is located in the ‘quiet’ zone, to the right of the desk used by the Guest Services agent, then the answer could be yes ...... i did see one or two people going into this part of the lounge. Apologies for the inconclusive response !
I say above ‘fairly impressive’ lounge because I actually feel the old lounge was very pleasant, and perhaps (?) with more variety of seating types, including alcoves (sort of) where one could tuck oneself away. In the new set-up, people appear to be more ‘concentrated’ and less spread out, so to speak. Would be interested in what others think. Either way, the food & drink offerings are very good.
As an additional data point : with so little in the way of F class routes on WY, the First section of the lounge continues to get remarkably little use, and is in fact often closed completely. I was given a mini-tour of the area by a helpful WY staffer and it is certainly very well specced ..... not least the top quality, very elegant, table settings beside the bar.
Thanks for the insight! Yes, it should be on the upper floor with the staircase that has been roped off. Guess I'll have to try again on my next trip. I do cherish the old lounge but feel that the new lounge is a net improvement over it. At peak times the old lounge would be quite crowded and there just didn't seem to have the luxurious elegance the new lounge offers. For more privacy the room at the very back with curtained off chairs are there as well as the private cinema sort of rooms. Also on the left side before the first dining area there appear to be some sort of large rooms with seating. I actually think the new lounge has way more seating types with highchairs, bar seating, arm chairs, loungers etc. Not to mention that weird set of executive chairs in a circle in the back room with the curtained off loungers.
