Oman: New Cultural Visa and Cultural Residence Permit Introduced

Oman has introduced a new Cultural Visa and Cultural Residence Permit, providing stays of one, five or 10 years for foreign nationals who will participate in or contribute to cultural activities in Oman.  

For the Cultural Visa, applicants must be entering Oman for cultural purposes and require sponsorship from a recognized Omani cultural body – such as a government ministry, university, cultural center or festival organizer – confirming the purpose of the applicant’s stay. The visa allows for stays of one, five, or 10 years. The application fee is OMR 50 for each year of the visa (for instance, the 10-year option costs OMR 500). Applicants must make their initial entry into Oman within three months of visa issuance.  

The Cultural Residence Permit provides a residence permit pathway that is similar to the Cultural Visa but for foreign nationals who are already in Oman. Eligibility and sponsorship requirements, permit duration options (one, five or 10 years) and fees are identical.  

Both the visa and permit also provide immigration pathways for close dependents of the principal visa or permit holder for stays of an equivalent period of time. The application fee is OMR 10 for each year of such dependent visas or permits. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.