Oman Sees Huge Surge in Indian Visitors After Visa Rules Clear Up
Oman is seeing a big rise in Indian visitors, with 382,015 Indians visiting the country between January and June 2026. This data comes from the National Centre for Statistics and Information. India is now the second-largest visitor source market for Oman, right after the United Arab Emirates.
- 382,015 Indian visitors arrived between January and June 2026.
- UAE recorded 491,503 arrivals in the same period.
- Oman hosted about 694,000 Indian visitors in 2025, which is an 11 percent increase over 2024.
- Direct flights and better access to Salalah are helping this growth.
Understanding Oman Visa Rules for Indians
Indian passport holders are not automatically entitled to a 14-day visa-free entry. India is in Oman's second group, meaning travelers must meet specific rules. To get the 14-day exemption, Indian citizens must have a valid residence permit or entry visa from the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, any Schengen Agreement country, or Japan. Indian residents in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, or Bahrain may also be eligible if their GCC residency is valid and their profession is recognized under Oman's resident-entry facility. Just having a GCC residence visa does not guarantee eligibility because profession-based criteria must be checked.
Everyone using the 14-day visa-free facility must have a passport with at least six months of validity. Travelers need a return ticket, a confirmed hotel booking, valid health insurance, and enough money for their stay. Airline staff or immigration officers may check these documents. This 14-day stay cannot be extended and cannot be changed into a residence visa. Family members can join, but the main traveler must qualify first.
How to Apply for an Oman eVisa
Indian citizens who do not meet the visa-free rules must apply for an eVisa through the Royal Oman Police system before they travel. Travelers can check the ROP eVisa platform for the right visa types, including tourist visit visas. Support is open through the official call centre at +968 2429 0942 and +968 2429 0826, or via email at [email protected].
Direct flights now connect Muscat to over 10 cities in India. Oman welcomed about 1.8 million international visitors in the first half of 2026. Tourism officials see more Indians choosing luxury travel, adventure, nature trips, weddings, and business events. Popular spots include Nizwa, Wadi Shab, Ras Al Jinz, Jebel Shams, and the Khareef season in Salalah-Dhofar. For GCC residents, Oman is a top short-break spot, but travelers should check profession rules and insurance needs before traveling.