Oman, Russia to waive visas for tourists starting July 18
MOSCOW. July 14 (Interfax) - Russia and the Sultanate of Oman have agreed to waive visa regulations starting July 18, entitling tourists from both countries to visit for up to 30 days without visas, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"Under the agreement, Russian citizens will be able to enter and stay in Oman without visas for up to 30 days during each visit, provided that the objective of their entry is not permanent residence, studying, or activities requiring a job permit. The total duration of stay must not be longer than 90 days during a calendar year. Citizens of Oman will be entitled to identical rights while visiting Russia," the ministry said.
At present, Russian citizens can visit Oman as tourists for up to 14 days without visas, provided that they have a hotel booking and return ticket.
The Russian Union of Travel Industry said it expected that the abolition of visas between Russia and Oman would promote mutual travel.
Regina Rudakova, general manager of the company Coati Representative, Oman's tourism office in Russia, said 27,300 Russian tourists visited Oman in the first four months of 2025, up 62% from the same period in 2024. Oman saw particularly high numbers of Russian visitors in March and April, when the figures doubled year-on-year, she said.
"The tourist flow grew owing to direct air services, the opening of [Oman's tourism] office in Russia, and investments in promotion, which enhanced confidence in Oman as a safe and promising destination. Russians are inclined to make long visits, 17 to 21 days, which is particularly important for [non-Muscovites], who have to fly with transfers," she said.
The Omani Ministry of Heritage and Tourism expects to welcome twice as many Russian tourists in 2025 than in 2024 and increase this figure by another 150% in 2026, Rudakova said.
The Russian Economic Development Ministry said earlier that the number of Omani tourists visiting Russia had grown 5.4-fold year-on-year to reach nearly 10,000 in 2024.
