The Royal Oman Police has introduced a new type of free tourist visa, allowing citizens of designated countries to stay in the sultanate for up to 14 days upon request. However, this decision does not currently represent a new facility for Iranian travelers, as they were already permitted to enter Oman for up to 14 days without a prior visa.

The new visa was established under Decision No. 109 of 2026, with details published on Sunday, August 2, in Issue No. 1695 of the Official Gazette. This visa is issued free of charge upon request for nationals of countries to be determined by Omani authorities; the list of these countries has not yet been announced.

A key feature of this visa is that the holder can apply to replace it with other types of Omani tourist visas before the 14-day period expires, provided they comply with regulations and pay the relevant fees. This visa may be replaced with 10-day, one-month, or one-year tourist visas, subject to the applicant meeting the requirements for the new visa type.

Iranian nationals have been on the primary list of countries benefiting from Oman's visa exemptions for several years. Under current regulations, Iranian passport holders can stay in Oman for a maximum of 14 days without a visa application or fee. Unlike the conditions for some countries on the second list, this facility is not dependent on holding residency in GCC countries or visas for the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, or the Schengen Area.

To utilize visa-free entry, Iranian travelers must carry a passport with at least six months of validity, a return ticket, a confirmed hotel reservation, health insurance, and sufficient financial resources for the duration of their stay. The visa-free stay cannot be extended beyond 14 days and cannot be converted into an Omani residency visa. The traveler's spouse and children, even if they hold a different nationality, can also benefit from these facilities if accompanying them.

Therefore, the main difference in the new regulations is that Oman has created an official, free visa that can be replaced with other types of tourist visas, whereas Iranians currently enter the country under a visa waiver. Until the list of eligible countries and executive instructions are published, it remains unclear whether Iranians will have the option to choose the new visa or if their entry will continue solely based on the current exemption.