Friday 14 / November / 2025
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman has introduced the cultural visa among its range of entry visas
The nature of the cultural visa
The cultural visa is an entry permit granted to foreigners coming to the Sultanate of Oman for cultural purposes.
It is issued upon the request of the relevant authority and under its responsibility, in which the hosting entity (such as the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth, academic institutions, or cultural centres) bears the responsibility for the applicant.
To whom is the cultural visa granted?
Granted to foreigners coming to the Sultanate of Oman to participate in or engage in cultural activities, such as:
Temporary residence for the purposes of cultural exchange or artistic training
Academic or research collaboration in the collaboration of culture, arts, and
heritage
Participation in literary and intellectual conferences or festivals
Attending or organising cultural and artistic events and exhibitions.
A special clause was also added allowing the issuance of a cultural joining visa for the foreigner's spouse or first-degree relatives entering for cultural purposes
Duration of the cultural visa
A cultural visa can be granted for one year with a fee of OMR50.
Or for five years with a fee of OMR50 per year or for 10 years with a fee of OMR50 per year
The visa must be used within three months from the date of issuance, otherwise it will be considered invalid.
The purpose for the visa
Facilitating the entry of exports, researchers and creators, contributing to the transfer of knowledge and exchange of experiences
Organizing the legal presence of foreigners working or participating in cultural activities, and ensuring their compliance with the supervision of the relevant authority.
Activating cultural tourism as one of the tributaries of the national economy.
Enhancing cultural openness and supporting intellectual communication between Oman and countries of the world
Encouraging foreign presence and participation in cultural and artistic events in Oman
Objectives of the cultural visa
Providing a clear legal framework to regulate the entry and residence of foreigners for cultural purpose without resorting to other visas.
Enhancing the Omani culture through the exchange of expertise and joint events.
Enabling Omani institutions to host foreign talents and delegation with ease.
Supporting Oman’s cultural strategy 2040 aimed at building an open knowledge society connected to the world.
The extensions of the cultural vise do not apply to other types of visas mentioned in The Executive Regulations of the Foreigners
