Oman simplifies visa-on-arrival rules to attract more Indians

Royal Oman Police (ROP) announced that visas will only be granted electronically, effective 21-Mar-2018, and there will be no more hand processed visas at the airport (Tourism Breaking News, 14-Mar-2018). ROP stated: "The migration to electronic visas is due to its simplicity and effectiveness, its alignment with modern technology and is in line with the e-government project of the Sultanate. Further, it will save tourists and visitors' time by avoiding long queues at the airport. The system has been thoroughly tested and more than 12,000 users have already benefitted from it. The system is considered to be one of the safest and most confidential in the world, having achieved an ISO certification". The new evisa system, coinciding with the opening of the new Muscat International Airport, supports the Oman Tourism Strategy in attracting more tourists and tourism investment into the country, whereby the number of tourists to Oman in 2040 will reach over 11 million by 2040.