Dear valued customers. Here are some tips for you The eVisa System is a web based application that allows travelers to apply, pay and receive visa information once issued. Tourist Visa (unsponsored visa): Tourists can now apply online for visas to visit the Sultanate of Oman. These visas allow authorized holders to enter the country for specific periods. Applications can be submitted on the Royal Oman Police website (www.rop.gov.om) Oman relaxes visa: Oman has revised the tourist visa for people from India, China and Russia in order to attract more tourists from these countries. For more information please visit: https://evisa.rop.gov.om/en/visa-eligibility Objectives of the eVisa system: Allows visitors to process their visas before traveling to the Sultanate of Oman. Automates and simplifies the process of obtaining a visa according to the laws and regulations of the Sultanate of Oman. Uses modern technology for the visa processing. Generates accurate statistics on the number of people visiting the Sultanate of Oman. Enhance communication between visitors and authorities. How to apply online for your eVisa Submit your application: Visit the ROP website (rop.gov.om) Fill in the form according to your travel documents Attach the required documents for your Visa Make your payment: Your fees can be paid by credit card through a Global Payment Gateway (this is officially certified by the Sultanate of Oman). Receive your notification: You will receive e-mail notification of your application. Print your email notification and present it to the border control offices. The Sultanate of Oman Located on the southeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman borders the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. Its 119,500 square miles include varied terrain from steep mountain peaks to pristine beaches, from vast deserts to fertile croplands. The capital, Muscat, was designated the Cultural Capital for the Arab Region in 2006 by the UN and Arab League Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Historically, the Sultanate has been a seafaring nation and overlooks three seas -- the Arab Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea. Omani ships sailed to ports in India, Pakistan, China, and Africa, trading commercial goods, crafts, and cultural traditions. Today, Oman is a modern monarchy led by Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Full suffrage is granted to all citizens over the age of 21, who elect one of two governing councils. Women play an active role in every facet of Omani life. Adult literacy exceeds 75% and Arabic is the official language, although many languages are spoken. Islam is the main religion and source of legislation for the Basic Statute of the State. Oil is Oman's principal export, along with fish and agricultural products, liquid natural gas, and traditional crafts. Oman's tourism industry plays a growing role in the economy, offering museums, sightseeing, shopping, and international style accommodations. From watersports to desert safaris, from camel races to sanctuaries for turtles, birds, Oryx, and Arabian tigers, Oman truly offers something for everyone. GeoGraphic Position Oman is situated in the southeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. It is surrounded by the sea on two sides, the sea of Oman to the northeast and the Indian Ocean to the southeast; it has joint land borders with Saudi Arabia to the west, Yemen to the south, and the United Arab Emirates to the north. Oman History Oman has a long history as a state and through its history has made a great contribution to civilization. At one time Oman was an influential seafaring nation whose foreign relationships extended as far as China, the USA, Britain and France. Omani ambassadors have been presenting their credentials in the capital cities of these countries for about 200 years. Muscat Located on the Sea of Oman, Muscat is the Sultanate’s capital, seat of government and the center of the nation’s administration. Muscat is considered the most densely populated Governorate. It is an important trade, finance and business center in the Sultanate due to its distinctive and significant strategic location. Muscat has the honor of winning the contest of the cleanest Arab city several times in succession. The population of the Governorate is estimated, according to the Sultanate’s general census, published at the end of May 2016, at 2,395,412. The Governorate consist of six Wilayats: Muscat The Wilayat was founded 900 years ago and is known for its historical role during many centuries; Muscat is considered an oasis of greenery, cleanliness and order, characterized by its network of modern roads, and its advanced and organized services. Muttrah The Wilayat is one of the most important cities in the history of the Sultanate of Oman as it goes back to the third millennium BC. Muttrah features many types of significant infrastructure, the most prominent of which is Port Sultan Qaboos. The Wilayat is also characterized by its renowned and traditional market, locally known as “Souq Muttrah”, which is considered one of the oldest markets in the Sultanate as it dates back almost more than two hundred years. Boushar This Wilayat includes several cities, such as Al Khuwair, which is considered the government’s capital as it encompasses the Sultanate’s major ministries, agencies and embassies. Al Seeb Al Saeeb is the largest Wilayat in the Governorate of Muscat; it is a coastal area that overlooks the Sea of Oman, and is famous for its fishing. Al Amirat This Wilayat combines the past with the present; it features some archaeological landmarks, including the old houses and ancient canals for irrigation, locally known as “saqiya” built from terracotta, and traditionally known as “sarooj”. Qurayyat This Wilayat is a coastal city located 100 kilometers away from the capital Muscat. The name “Qurayyat” refers to the large number of villages the Wilayat encompasses. Culture of Oman Even though Oman is a modern country, western influences are quite restricted. The Ibadi form of Islam is also conservative like Sunni Islam and Shi'a Islam. About 75% of Oman is Muslim. As is the case with most Middle Eastern countries, alcohol is only available in some hotels and few restaurants. Although Arabic is Oman's official language, there are native speakers of different dialects, as well as Balochi, or offshoots of Southern Arabian, a Semitic language only distantly related to Arabic. Swahili is also widely spoken in the country due to the historical relations between Oman and Zanzibar. The dominant indigenous language is a dialect of Arabic and the country has also adopted English as a second language. Almost all signs and writings appear in both Arabic and English Oman is famous for its khanjar knives, which are curved daggers worn during holidays as part of ceremonial dress. Today traditional clothing is worn by most Omani men. They wear an ankle-length, collarless robe called a dishdasha that buttons at the neck with a tassel hanging down. Traditionally this tassel would be dipped in perfume. Today the tassel is merely a traditional part of the dishdasha. Women wear hijab and abaya. Some women cover their faces and hands, but most do not. The abaya is a traditional dress and it is current having different styles. The Sultan has forbidden the covering of faces in public office. On holidays, such as Eid, the women wear traditional dress, which is often very brightly colored and consists of a mid- calf length tunic over pants. A very important part of Omani culture is hospitality. If invited into an Omani house, a visitor is likely to be greeted with a bowl of dates, qahwa (coffee with cardamom - standard Arabic ????)and fruit. The coffee is served fairly weak in a small cup, which should be shaken after three servings to show that you have finished. The dates are in lieu of sugar. Halwa and other sweets are often given at celebrations such as Eids. The Omani culture is steeped in the religion of Islam. Oman has developed its own type of Islam, known as Ibadhism. There are both Sunni and Shia Muslims in Oman. With this in mind the Islam month of fasting, Ramadan and other Islamic festivities are very important events in Omani culture. National Dress For men the national dress is an ankle-length, collarless gown with long sleeves called the dishdasha. There are several accesories including a muzzar (a type of turban), an assa (a cane or stick) and a Khanjar. The Khanjar is a ceremonial curved dagger that is a symbol of male elegance and are worn at formal events and holidays. The Dhow An enduring symbol of Oman is the traditional Dhow. These dailing ships have been around for several centuries, there is evidence of an Omani Dhow reaching China in the 8th Century. the dhows are still in operation primarily used for fishing, exporting and tourism. The main ports of Sohar, Sur, Salalah and Muscat all maintain a large fleet. Sur also has an exstensive dhow building industry. Climate Summer begins in mid-April and lasts until October. The highest temperatures are registered in the interior, where readings of more than 50° C in the shade are common. On the Al Batinah plain, summer temperatures seldom exceed 46° C, but, because of the low elevation, the humidity may be as high as 90 percent. The mean summer temperature in Muscat is 33° C, but the gharbi (literally, western), a strong wind that blows from the Rub al Khali, can raise temperatures from the towns on the Gulf of Oman by 6° C to 10° C. Winter temperatures are mild and pleasant, ranging between 15° C and 23° C. Precipitation on the coasts and on the interior plains ranges from twenty to 100 millimeters a year and falls during mid- and late winter.