Going to à Oman: Formalities and administrative steps

Organize your stay à Oman

Money à Oman

The country's currency is the Omani rial, symbol: OMR. The rial is divided into baizas, symbol: bz. 1 OMR is worth 1,000 bz. Euros and dollars are accepted at all banks and exchange offices. 1 rial = approx. 2.24 euros (June 2025 rate) or 2.1 Swiss francs and approx. 3.57 Canadian dollars (variable rates). There are coins of 5, 10, 25 and 50 bz and banknotes of 100 bz, 500 bz, 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 OMR.

Budget & Tips à Oman

Oman has a reputation for being an expensive destination and, indeed, international hotels and 4x4 rentals are quite expensive. However, local motels and apartment hotels, though unpretentious, can suit smaller budgets. What's more, even small guesthouses are never exactly cheap, and more and more of them are springing up in the tourist sections of the sultanate, offering great alternatives to hotels and, above all, a more authentic setting. Another significant advantage for the wallet: camping is free and permitted throughout the country, even on the outskirts of towns. Knowing that the level of safety is one of the best in the world, this is a major advantage. The only downside is that, while they do exist, serviced sites are rare, so we're talking more about wilderness camping without toilets or water.

The price of food varies from one to ten, depending on the standard of the place - from a gargote to a top-of-the-range restaurant in a luxury hotel. But it's perfectly possible to eat for a few euros every day and absolutely anywhere in the country, in the heart of the coffee-shops that are legion. It's worth noting that hygiene regulations are drastic in the Sultanate, and health checks are frequent. So there's absolutely no fear of eating on the go or sipping tons of fresh fruit juice, even on the rocks.

In terms of transport, on the other hand, there's nothing very practical for backpackers. Neither train nor metro, very few public buses and, in any case, none serving the mountainous and remote areas of the sultanate that are of interest to travellers. As a result, it is often necessary to rent a 4x4 vehicle at a not inconsiderable daily cost (a minimum of 40 OMR per day). This may be partly offset by the cost of fuel, which is much cheaper than in France. To save money, a sedan may suffice for the classic tour via Nizwa, the surrounding cultural and natural sights, the turtles, the most popular wadis (in this case, park at the entrance and hike), the coastline between Ras al Jinz and Muscat. All you need to do is ask for a transfer to a desert camp, which is often done easily.

So, if you plan your trip well in advance and opt for camping or small local structures, you can visit Oman at low cost.

Passport and visas à Oman

Since December 2020, the Omani government has introduced pre-trip visa exemption for 103 countries, including France, Belgium, Switzerland and Canada. This measure aims to encourage tourism in Oman, identified as one of the key sectors for future national development. The exemption is valid for stays of less than 14 days, and is conditional on a confirmed hotel reservation, a return air ticket, a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of return, and health insurance.

Other travelers, especially those staying longer, will need to download an electronic visa from evisa.rop.gov.om. Steps to follow :

- enter the evisa.rop.gov.om website

- click on Apply for Tourist Visa, then on Login as a Tourist

- follow the registration procedure and identify yourself

- click on Apply for visa

A photo and a copy of your passport (scans) must be attached to the form. Do not apply at the very last minute, as validation may take several days, or even longer if something goes wrong. At the same time, as travelers have only one month to enter the country once they've obtained their e-visa, don't apply too early either.

Prices vary according to the length and type of stay (over 14 days, multiple entry, etc.). Please note that this website is designed and managed directly by the Omani police. The Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Paris has no control over its content or the online form. Leaving the country cancels the visa, so it's advisable to take out a multiple-entry visa if you wish to travel to the Musandam peninsula by road, for example; by air, on the other hand, there's no problem.

As changes in legislation are always possible, check this information in advance. On arrival, the identity document required is a passport valid for more than 6 months after the date of exit from the country.

Driver's license à Oman

A valid French driving licence is recognized by the Omani authorities.

Health à Oman

No vaccinations are required to enter the Sultanate. There are no health risks or hygiene problems, although tap water is not considered potable. Catering standards are very strict, and inspections are frequent. The slightest fault and the establishment is closed. The kitchens of local restaurants are therefore well run, and there is generally no risk in eating a quick lunch for a handful of rials in coffee-shops or gas-station gargotes.

The quality of medicine is quite high, and there are many well-equipped public and private clinics and hospitals with ambulances. The same applies to pharmacies, which are ubiquitous, the largest chain being Muscat Pharmacy - www.muscatpharmacy.net. However, the further away you are from the cities, the less reliable the emergency services. In particular, the Sultanate has no high-performance mountain rescue service, so there's no question of taking a bad fall or tempting the devil: don't enter wadis in stormy weather (the water can rise very quickly), never pitch a tent at the bottom of a wadi (only at heights), and always leave with two 4x4s in the desert and high mountains. As in any rocky desert country, be aware that some reptiles and insects are venomous: take the usual precautions, hike with closed shoes, and always inspect down, shoes and clothing when camping in remote areas.

Mandatory vaccination à Oman

No vaccinations are required for travel to the Sultanate.

Security à Oman

Oman is one of the safest and most secure countries in the world. Political stability is indisputable: 50 years of reign for Sultan Qaboos and a smooth transition, at the beginning of 2020, with the current Sultan Haïtham Ben Tariq, who is committed to continuing the policies of his predecessor. Diplomatic relations with neighboring countries and the world at large are exemplary, and the borders with Yemen are closely guarded. Internally, a discreet police presence is maintained throughout the country, where there is virtually no delinquency or criminal activity, and lawlessness is severely punished. This serenity, both internationally and nationally, is the result of a number of factors: a wide-ranging redistribution of the wealth generated by energy rents; a high-performance, free and compulsory education system, even in the most remote sections of the sultanate; a tolerant and moderate form of Islam, Ibadism; a tradition of hospitality and an extraordinary sense of welcome; a natural benevolence and a subtle and enlightened mode of governance based on listening and speaking rather than monarchy by force.

In concrete terms, as soon as you arrive, you'll feel an immediate gentleness of life, and you'll be amazed, if you forget a cell phone or your wallet in a restaurant or even on a public bench, to find it back in the same place, or in the safety of the reception desk, several hours later. The same goes for your rental car: if, for example, you forget to lock it with your luggage visible inside, the risk of theft is virtually nil. We're not encouraging you to behave inconsistently, of course, but simply to enjoy the feeling of well-being and freedom that this high level of security undeniably provides. It's not for nothing that the country is nicknamed the "Switzerland" of the Middle East!

Time difference à Oman

GTM + 4. French time: + 2 in summer; + 3 in winter. When it is 5pm in November in France, it is therefore 8pm in the Sultanate.

Spoken languages à Oman

The official language of the country is Arabic, followed by English, which is widely used, particularly in the business world. The vast majority of services (money withdrawal, various information...) are offered in these two languages, as well as the indicative signs. In tourist circles, a good number of guides speak French.

Communication à Oman

To call from Oman to France, dial +33 followed by your correspondent's number without the 0.

To call from France to Oman, dial +968 followed by the 8-digit local number.
The Internet network is well developed: all hotels have a good connection and even most restaurants and coffee-shops.

A practical option is to take an unlocked cell phone with you and buy a local prepaid sim card as soon as you arrive in the sultanate - on sale at the airport, at local phone counters such as Ooredoo and Omantel. For a few rials, you get an Omani card that allows you to make local calls at normal rates. The card is activated immediately on purchase (remember to have your passport with you) and can then be topped up with 1, 2, 4, 5 and 10 OMR cards. For more information, contact Ooredoo (ooredoo.om) and Omantel (omantel.om).

Calling via WhatsApp, Messenger or Facetime is currently impossible in Oman. On the other hand, Omanis very often use IMO, an Android application that enables them to communicate with other users free of charge. It may be worth downloading this application before you leave. Alternatively, you can download a free VPN (Virtual Private Network) server.

Electricity and measurements à Oman

Electricity. Electricity is 220-240 volts. Plugs and sockets conform to the British standard: three flat plugs. An adapter is therefore essential for appliances that comply with French standards. You can find them everywhere in France, in airports and in supermarkets on site.

Weights and measures. These are the same as in France.

Luggage à Oman

Take along long but light clothing, preferably linen or cotton. Throughout the country, we strongly recommend that you respect local culture by wearing decent clothing: Bermuda shorts rather than shorts for men, long-sleeved shirts rather than T-shirts or tank tops, no cleavage or short skirts; avoid bikinis in wadis frequented by locals, and bathe in a tunic to avoid offending. For mountain or desert escapades, remember to take a warm fleece-type sweater, and a windbreaker for high-altitude camps in the evening. And since the relationship between hot and cold is a very relative notion, don't be surprised to see locals wearing gloves and hats in December and January in the Shams and Akhdar djebels! If you're feeling the chill, you'll need to carry a jacket, sweater or something to wear around your neck to cope with the sometimes sharp variations in temperature between the outside and the air-conditioned interiors of stores, museums and restaurants.

Don't forget sunglasses and a cap to avoid sunstroke, and, of course, a swimsuit and sun cream for swimming in the sea, rivers and wadis. Mask and snorkel can also be useful for bathing. And good shoes if you intend to hike, or your climbing gear or other equipment.

Remember that Oman is an ideal country for camping, and that it can be useful to disembark with your tent and sleeping bag.

Daily life à Oman

Hello? à Oman

To call from France to Oman, dial 00 + 968 (country code) + 8-digit local telephone number (e.g. to Muscat: 00 + 968 + 2411 1111)

To call from Oman to France, dial 00 + 33 (country code) + area code without the 0 + the 8-digit local number (e.g. to Lyon: 00 + 33 + 4 + 11 11 11 11)

To call from one region to another in Oman, there is no area code. Simply dial the 8-digit local number.

Note : mobile numbers start with 9 followed by 7 digits; fixed-line numbers start with 2 followed by 7 digits.

Omantel and Ooredoo are the country's 2 main telephone operators. They sell prepaid chips that allow you to obtain a local telephone number - at different rates depending on the package chosen. These are sold in the telephone operators' agencies, which are located in the airport arrivals hall, and also at service stations. Remember to have your passport with you. The sim is activated immediately on purchase, and can then be topped up with 1 to 10 OMR cards on sale throughout the country - at service stations, supermarket checkouts, bookshops..

Freephone applications such as WhatsApp or Messenger are difficult to use in the Sultanate - you can write, but not make phone calls. Imo is the one that works best.

Free wifi is available almost everywhere : in hotels, some restaurants and coffee shops, malls, major museums and tourist attractions, etc.

Accessibility à Oman

Only luxury hotels have facilities for people with reduced mobility. This is also the case in the largest shopping centres and some private clinics. But as soon as you leave Muscat, it becomes difficult to visit the country with a disabled person.

Health à Oman

No vaccinations are required for travel to the Sultanate.

Hygiene is not a problem, even if tap water is not considered potable. The kitchens of local restaurants are well run, and there's virtually no risk in eating for a handful of rials in coffee shops or gas station gargotes. Hygiene checks are frequent and very strict.

There are many well-equipped hospitals and good private clinics, whose services and facilities are superior to those of public hospitals. According to expatriates, the best clinic would be Muscat Private Hospital - www.muscat privatehospital.com.

Pharmacies are to be found all over the city, stocking medicines for day-to-day care. They are generally open from 8am to 1pm and from 4pm to 8pm, except on Fridays when they are usually only open for a few hours in the evening. In larger towns, there are duty pharmacies open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The largest pharmacy chain in the sultanate is Muscat Pharmacy, with no fewer than 65 branches throughout the country - www.muscatpharmacy.om

Emergency numbers à Oman

The national emergency number is 9999. The quality of medical care is high. However, the further away you are from the cities, the less reliable the emergency services. For example, the sultanate has no mountain rescue service: beware of nasty falls! In the event of a medical emergency, please contact the French consulate www.om.ambafrance.org/Medecins-conseil-et-avocat-conseil or call +968 7152 1157.

Securty à Oman

Oman is one of the safest countries in the world. Delinquency is virtually non-existent, and theft, let alone crime, is extremely rare. And culturally speaking, the Omanis are a calm and peaceful people, governed by a monarchical system of conciliation and redistribution of wealth rather than force. A sure sign of this is that you can pitch your tent anywhere in the country, even on the outskirts of towns, as long as you respect the rules of good conduct towards the local population.

The danger, on the other hand, lies in the vagaries of the weather. Thunderstorms are rare, but violent, especially in the mountains, where they sweep away everything in their path, as the generally dry ground has no time to absorb the water. Serious accidents have already occurred in wadis and gorges, and no rescue team has ever proved capable enough to respond to the emergency. Never venture into a wadi in stormy weather. For the same reason, always pitch your tent high up and never at the bottom of a dry riverbed.

Some reptiles and insects are poisonous, so take the usual precautions.

LGBTQ à Oman

As in the vast majority of Muslim countries, never display your feelings in public, especially if you are not married, and even more so if you are lesbian or gay. Homosexuality is forbidden in the Sultanate and punishable by law. Even if it seems technically possible to travel discreetly as a couple and to rent a hotel room without any problem, it is better to remain discreet about the real nature of one's relationships.

Embassies and consulates à Oman

The Embassy and Consulate of France in Oman are located in Muscat in the Al Khuwair district, Jami'at Al-Dowal Al Arabiya street. The consular duty number to contact in case of extreme emergency outside normal opening hours is +968 7152 1157. Otherwise, dial +968 2468 1800. Reception hours are from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday to Thursday, exclusively online at https://consulat.gouv.fr/ambassade-de-france-a-mascate/rendez-vous.

Mail à Oman

Most post offices are open Sunday to Thursday from 8am to 2pm. Some offices are also open on Saturdays. This is where you can buy stamps. The website www.omanpost.om gives the addresses and telephone numbers of each post office.

Mailboxes can be found just about everywhere. They're usually big and blue, so they're easy to spot.

Local media à Oman

In Oman, the press is strictly controlled and foreign newspapers are hard to come by. Two "paper" dailies (Times of Oman and Oman Daily) battle it out for a tiny market, which is shrinking daily as it is devoured by online media. Special mention to the innovative team at Y Magazine, the weekly and web magazine that digs a little deeper beneath the varnish.

Destination Oman: www.destinationoman.com is a very comprehensive English-language site from a practical point of view. Everything you need to know about the country, where to go and how.

Oman Daily Observer: www.omanobserver.om, the Times' competitor, less 2.0 and just as much in the official line. A little more on the business side.

The Week: a free paper with a circulation of over 51,000, presenting itself as an independent weekly. Much more practical information on leisure, going out, cinemas, concerts and daily life than in traditional newspapers. Bonus on the web: the Muscat Daily and Business Today, updated in real time.

Times of Oman: www.timesofoman.com, more than a newspaper, the country's information companion since 1975. For a few kisses, you get the essentials on a global scale. Highly controlled, of course. Also available on the web.

Ymagazine: follow on Instagram. This is the magazine for digital natives, for those concerned with the future, in short, for a lot of very quiet people. Don't expect Technikart, but we can sometimes be surprised by the boldness of certain angles. Free download.

Radio : HI FM 95.9: www.hifmradio.com, everyone's radio station, consensual and mix-culture. MERGE 104.8: www.radiomerge.fm, an invigorating morning show, columns, advice and, on the music side, audacious playlists; undoubtedly the favorite radio station of executives and Westerners. Both, like Virgin Radio Oman (100.9), broadcast contemporary and international music. Others have more traditional programming, such as Muscat FM (105.3). The https://mytuner-radio.com/fr/radio/pays/oman-stations website features 22 Omani radio stations online.

Television : Oman TV is the national public channel created in 1974. Other private channels include Majan TV.