Oman introduces cheaper tourist visa

Oman has announced the availability of a new cheaper tourist visa allowing visitors to enter the country for 10 days.

The move comes after the country quadrupled the cost of its original one-month tourist visa from OMR5 ($13)to OMR20 ($52) last year.

Read: Oman quadruples cost of tourist visas

Under a decree by Royal Oman Police, the new visa will allow those wanting to stay in the sultanate for less than a week and a half to pay the original price of OMR5 ($13).

More broadly, tourist visas have also been divided into categories for 10 days, one month and one year.

Times of Oman reports that the change has been welcomed by travel agents who said the fee change last year was too high amid a competitive market for visitors.

Oman received 4.7 per cent more international tourists last year to 3.3 milion.

Like neighbouring countries it has sought to lure more travellers through the recent easing of visa restrictions on Chinese and Russian passport holders.

Read: Oman adds China, Iran, Russia to visa on arrival list

It also introduced new visa rules in March including an online application process.

Read: Oman announces new visa rules