Middle East and North Africa

No restrictions in this travel advice

Avoid all but essential travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all but essential travel to whole country

Avoid all travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all travel to whole country

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

• Piracy is a significant threat in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. We advise against all but essential travel by yacht and leisure craft on the high seas (more than 12 nautical miles from shore) in the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and part of the Indian Ocean bounded by the following latitude and longitude: 15°N in the Red Sea, 23°N in the Arabian Sea, 78°E and 15°S in the Indian Ocean. For more information, see our page on Piracy in the Indian Ocean.
  
  
• There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. See the Safety and Security - Terrorism section.
  
  
• 26 British nationals required consular assistance in Oman in the period 01 April 2010 - 31 March 2011. See General - Consular Assistance Statistics.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See the General - Insurance section.

Safety and Security - Terrorism  
There is an underlying threat from terrorism in Oman. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

See our Terrorism Abroad page.
 
Terrorists continue to issue statements threatening to carry out attacks in the Gulf region. These include references to attacks on western interests, including residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests.

You should maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places. You should avoid large gatherings and demonstrations. We advise British nationals who are travelling to, or are currently in Oman, to register with the British Embassy.

Safety and Security - Crime  
Approximately 6,000 British nationals live in Oman. Most visits are trouble-free.
 
There have been some reported cases of robbery and other occasional incidents of violence in which foreigners have been involved.
 
See our Victims of Crime Abroad page.

Developments in the Middle East Peace Process continue to have an impact on local public opinion in the region. You should be aware of local sensitivities on these issues. You should follow news reports and be alert to local and regional developments, which might trigger public disturbances.  

You should take precautions for your personal safety and avoid public gatherings and demonstrations.
 
Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Travel  
British nationals possessing a visit visa may drive an Omani rental car using their UK driving licence. Anyone applying for residence in Oman may also drive on a UK driving licence until the residency permit is issued. Thereafter, an Omani driving licence is required. A resident may find that a UK driving licence is not deemed valid for insurance purposes if an accident occurs. Oman drives on the right.

Holders of UK driving licences may currently obtain an Omani licence by taking a sight test. This does not apply automatically to holders of driving licences issued by the Isle of Man, Channel Islands, or Overseas Territories.

Observe speed limits. If you are involved in a major road traffic accident you must remain with your vehicle and summon the Royal Oman Police (ROP, tel. 9999). If you are involved in a minor road traffic accident, it may not be necessary to call the police, but you must follow the procedures set out on the ROP website. You must keep a Minor Road Traffic Accident form in your car. This is available from the ROP website or from your insurance company. Car rental companies are responsible for keeping forms in their cars.

Driving can be dangerous outside Muscat, as there is a risk of hitting wandering camels and goats on the road. Rainfall can cause sudden and severe flooding in dry riverbeds and on roads that cross them.

The standard of Omani roads is generally good. Driving standards in Oman are not always as disciplined as those in the UK, and the rate of traffic accidents in Oman is significantly higher. The authorities are increasing their efforts to address this.

Excursions to the desert can be dangerous unless undertaken in adequately equipped 4x4 vehicles. You should always travel in convoy with other cars, take a supply of water and a mobile telephone (or satellite phone) and leave a copy of your travel plans with friends or relatives. You should also take out sufficient insurance.

The Omani authorities strictly enforce traffic laws, and there are strong punishments for traffic offences. You must wear a seat belt when in the front seat of a car, and it is illegal to use a mobile phone whilst driving. Speed limits are clearly posted on major roads. There is zero tolerance towards drink-driving.  

Britons can inadvertently find themselves facing charges relating to cultural differences, such as the use of bad language, rude gestures or public displays of affection. The ROP have been taking forward cases of reported insulting behaviour to Omani citizens.

See our Driving Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Sea Travel
Piracy is a significant threat in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Piracy has occurred as far as 1,000 nautical miles from the coast of Somalia. Attacks are frequent and continuing, proving successful almost exclusively against shipping which has not complied with agreed shipping industry best practice on self-defence measures, including on routings. Sailing vessels are particularly vulnerable to attack due to their low speed and low freeboard.  All mariners intending to sail through high risk areas should consider the necessity of their travel.  We advise against all but essential travel by yacht and leisure craft on the high seas (more than 12 nautical miles from shore) in the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and part of the Indian Ocean bounded by the following latitude and longitude:  15°N in the Red Sea, 23°N in the Arabian Sea, 78°E and 15°S in the Indian Ocean.  For more information, see our page on Piracy in the Indian Ocean.

Many areas of the Gulf of Aden are highly sensitive. Vessels entering these areas have been detained and inspected, and there have been occasional arrests. Mariners should make careful enquiries before entering these waters or considering visiting ports.

You should be careful when travelling by tourist boats; the safety of these vessels may not be up to UK standards. You should ensure that life jackets are available for all passengers.

See our River and Sea Safety page.

Safety and Security - Political Situation
Oman Country Profile

You should maintain constant security awareness, particularly in public places, and avoid large gatherings and demonstrations.

You are strongly advised to obey local laws and regulations. There may be serious penalties for breaking a law that might seem trivial to you or for doing something that may not be illegal in the UK. Hobbies that involve cameras and binoculars, such as bird watching and plane spotting, may be misunderstood - particularly near military sites, government buildings and airports.

Local laws reflect the fact that Oman is an Islamic country. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas. For more information on this subject, see Travelling during Ramadan.

Women should dress modestly when in public areas. Clothes should cover the tops of the arms and legs, and underwear should not be visible. You should not wear swimming attire in public areas, except on tourist beaches or swimming pools. Women wearing shorts, or tight-fitting clothes, are likely to attract attention.
 
We recommend you carry a copy of your passport (if you are visiting Oman), or your Omani ID (if you are a resident), at all times for identification purposes.

Visitors must have legal status in Oman when they depart. If you are subject to a travel ban, involved in legal proceedings, have unpaid debt or are a child subject to a custody dispute, you may be prevented from leaving the country. Visitors can incur heavy fines if they overstay or fail to extend their legal residency.

The importation of narcotics and pornography into Oman is illegal and can lead to imprisonment.

The penalties for drug trafficking, smuggling and possession, of even residual amounts, of drugs are severe. The possession and/or import of even the smallest amount of drugs can result in a prison sentence and, in some cases, the death penalty. There is no distinction in Omani law between “soft” drugs and “hard” drugs; both are treated with equal severity.

Residents may obtain personal liquor licences to consume alcohol in private homes, and licensed hotels and restaurants also sell alcohol, but it is a punishable offence to drink, or be drunk, in public. The legal age for consumption of alcohol is 21. 

Homosexuality is illegal in Oman.

See our Your Trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas
British citizens do not require a visa before their arrival in Oman; British passport holders may obtain an entry visa upon arrival at any land, sea or air entry port in the county. 

A one-month combined tourist/business visa costing 20 Omani Rials (OMR). You may extend this, for one month, for a further OMR20.

Entry Requirements – Passport Validity
You must hold a valid passport to enter Oman. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into Oman.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with Medication
Some prescribed and over the counter medicines that are available in the UK are banned substances in Oman. If you are travelling to Oman with prescription drugs, you should carry a copy of the prescription. If you have any queries, you should check with Oman's Ministry of Health well in advance of travel.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with Children
Single parents, or other adults travelling alone with children, should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.

Single parents in Oman, will need this when obtaining a residence visa for their child/children.

For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration, please contact the nearest Omani Embassy. 

Healthcare facilities in Oman are generally comparable with those of the UK, but visitors who possess neither travel insurance nor the means to settle any charges incurred may be prevented from leaving the country until the debt is paid.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS. You should seek medical advice before travelling to Oman and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

In the 2010 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 1,100 adults aged 15 or over in Oman were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 0.1% of the adult population compared to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

See our Travel Health page.

Monsoons
Whilst Oman's climate is generally dry, heavy rains do fall (usually in the winter months).   Flash floods continue to, cause injuries and deaths. You should check local weather forecasts and seek advice about travelling conditions particularly if considering any off-road travel and adventure tourism, including to Wadi areas (dry riverbeds).

General - Insurance  
We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling, including provision for medical evacuation by air ambulance. Check for any exclusions and ensure your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See our Travel Insurance page.
 
If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.

General - Consular Assistance Statistics
26 British nationals required consular assistance in Oman in the period 01 April 2010 - 31 March 2011 for the following types of incident: 13 deaths; four hospitalisations; and eight arrests for a variety of offences.