Oman is the easiest international trip from the UAE: a few hours’ drive, and for most residents a visa that costs OMR 5. But unlike Saudi Arabia, Oman’s cheap route depends on one detail many people never check: the profession printed on your Emirates ID. And not every border crossing is open to expatriates. This guide explains which visa you can get, how to get it, and how to drive across without being turned back.
Checked on 5 October 2026 against the Royal Oman Police eVisa platform and official UAE and Omani announcements. Sources at the end. Oman updated its rules several times in 2026, so check the ROP portal before travelling.
On this page
- Your options at a glance
- The profession rule
- How to apply for the GCC resident eVisa
- If your profession is not on the list
- Which border crossings expats can use
- Driving your car into Oman
- Musandam
- Mistakes to avoid
- Questions people ask
Your options at a glance
| Option | Who it is for | Fee | Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| No visa | UAE nationals and other GCC citizens | None | — |
| Visa on arrival | UAE residents whose Emirates ID profession is on the approved list | OMR 5 | Up to 28 days |
| GCC resident eVisa | The same residents, applying online before travel | OMR 5 | Up to 28 days |
| Other eVisas | Residents whose profession is not listed, depending on nationality | Varies | Varies |
OMR 5 is about AED 48. If you drive, the UAE also charges an exit fee of AED 35 per person when you leave by land.
The profession rule
The OMR 5 visa on arrival and GCC resident eVisa are only available if the profession on your Emirates ID is on the Royal Oman Police’s approved list. Your passport does not matter for this route. Your job title does.
- On 31 July 2026, Oman expanded the list to more than 100 job titles, covering most professional and white-collar roles, including doctors, engineers, accountants, managers, designers and many others.
- Roles commonly not covered include domestic workers, private drivers, students and dependants without a listed job title.
- The check is made against the title on your Emirates ID, not what you actually do. If your ID shows “labourer” but you work as a supervisor, the ID title is what counts.
How to check: find your profession on the back of your Emirates ID or in the UAE ICP app, then compare it with the approved list on the ROP eVisa portal. If you apply online and your profession is not eligible, the portal will usually not let you continue.
How to apply for the GCC resident eVisa
You can get the same visa at the border, but applying online first saves time in queues, especially at weekends and on public holidays.
- Go to the official Royal Oman Police eVisa portal, evisa.rop.gov.om, and create an account.
- Choose to apply for a tourist visa, select your nationality and confirm you are a GCC resident.
- Select the GCC Resident Visa (29A).
- Upload your passport (valid for at least 6 months), your UAE residence visa or Emirates ID, and a photo.
- Pay OMR 5 by card and wait for approval, usually within a few working days.
- Print the approved eVisa or keep it on your phone, together with your Emirates ID.
Your UAE residence must be valid. Use only the official ROP portal: many look-alike websites charge several times the real fee.
If your profession is not on the list
You can still visit Oman, but not on the OMR 5 route. Depending on your situation:
- Check the ROP portal’s other tourist eVisas for your nationality. Some nationalities qualify for a tourist eVisa, or for short visa-free entry, regardless of profession. In August 2026, Oman also introduced a free 14-day visa for travellers from designated countries.
- Travel with an eligible family member. A spouse or child travelling with an eligible resident may be able to use the family options on the portal.
- Use a sponsored visa arranged by an Omani hotel or tour operator.
Which border crossings expats can use
Some UAE–Oman crossings are only for GCC nationals. Expatriates who use them are turned back.
| Crossing | For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hatta – Al Wajajah | Expatriates and GCC nationals | The main route from Dubai towards Muscat. Busy at weekends and holidays |
| Khatm Al Shikla – Hafeet (Al Ain) | Expatriates and GCC nationals | The expat crossing near Al Ain |
| Khatmat Malaha (Kalba) | Expatriates and GCC nationals | East coast route towards Sohar |
| Al Darah – Tibat (Ras Al Khaimah) | Expatriates and GCC nationals | For Musandam |
| Al Hili and Al Madheef (Al Ain) | GCC nationals only | Expatriates must use Khatm Al Shikla instead |
| Dibba | Restricted | Expatriates usually need a booking with specific resorts or a dhow cruise |
Driving from Dubai to Hatta: the direct road from Al Madam to Hatta passes briefly through Omani territory, and expatriates are not allowed to use it. Take the Sharjah–Kalba road instead, then turn towards Hatta, which keeps you inside the UAE until the official Hatta border post.
Driving your car into Oman
- Insurance: your UAE car insurance must cover Oman. Many policies include an “Oman extension”, sometimes called the orange card. If yours does not, buy short-term Omani insurance at the border.
- Financed or company car: carry a letter from the bank or company allowing you to take the car to Oman. Without it, you may be turned back.
- Rental car: most rental companies need written permission and charge for Oman cover. Arrange it before you book.
- Documents to carry: passport, Emirates ID, eVisa if you applied online, driving licence and car registration (mulkiya).
- Fees: AED 35 per person UAE exit fee, plus OMR 5 per person for the visa if you did not apply online.
Customs officers may inspect your car. Do not carry alcohol, drones or large amounts of goods without checking Omani customs rules.
Musandam
Musandam, the Omani peninsula north of Ras Al Khaimah, is popular for dhow cruises around Khasab. It is reached through the Al Darah – Tibat crossing. The same visa rules apply: OMR 5 if your profession is listed. Dhow cruise operators from Dubai often include help with the visa in their packages, but you still need to meet the eligibility rules.
Mistakes to avoid
- Not checking your Emirates ID profession before driving to the border.
- Using a GCC-only crossing such as Al Hili.
- Taking the Al Madam–Hatta road through Oman as an expatriate.
- Driving without Oman insurance cover or without a permission letter for a financed car.
- Overstaying. Oman charges a daily fine for every day beyond your permitted stay.
- Paying an unofficial website for a visa that costs OMR 5 on the official portal.
Questions people ask
Can UAE residents get a visa on arrival in Oman?
Yes, if the profession on your Emirates ID is on Oman’s approved list. The visa costs OMR 5 and allows a stay of up to 28 days.
Does my nationality matter for the Oman visa?
Not for the OMR 5 GCC resident route, which depends on your profession. Your nationality matters if you need to use another type of eVisa.
Can my housemaid get an Oman visa on arrival?
Domestic workers are usually not on the approved profession list. Check the other options on the ROP portal before travelling.
Which border should I use to drive from Dubai to Oman?
Most expatriates use Hatta – Al Wajajah, reached by the Sharjah–Kalba road. From Al Ain, use Khatm Al Shikla, not Al Hili.
How much does it cost to drive to Oman from the UAE?
AED 35 per person UAE exit fee, OMR 5 per person for the visa, and Oman car insurance if your UAE policy does not cover it.
Related guides
- Saudi Arabia tourist visa for UAE residents
- Georgia entry rules for UAE residents
- Turkey visa from Dubai: e-Visa or sticker visa?
Sources
- Royal Oman Police — eVisa portal and approved profession list: evisa.rop.gov.om
- Royal Oman Police — expanded profession list, 31 July 2026, and Decision 109/2026
- UAE authorities — land border exit fee and expatriate crossing points, as reported by Gulf News
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 5 October 2026. Rechecked quarterly and when Omani visa rules change. Found an error? Email [email protected] — it gets fixed and logged.