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| Entry Regulations / General Information |
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Entry for German Nationals |
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A visa is required; on application, a national passport must be submitted, valid for at least six months from the date of arrival, as well as tickets for the return or onward journey, and proof of sufficient funds (among other requirements). It is possible to obtain the visa upon arrival at all national border crossings and airports of Oman.
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Geographical Location |
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To the north, the Sultanate of Oman is bordered by the United Arab Emirates (the northern enclave on the Musandam peninsula is also bordered by the Straits of Hormuz), to the east by the Gulf of Oman, to the west by Saudi Arabia, and to the south by the Republic of Yemen.
Total area: approximately 309,500km².
Administrative divisions: 8 regions (Ad-Dakhiliyah, Al-Batinah, Al-Wusta, Ash-Sharquiyah, Az-Zahira, Maskat, Musandam, Dhofar) and 59 administrative districts (wilayat).
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Population |
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Population: approximately 2.34 million (approximately 1.87 million of which are native Omanis).
Cities (approximate numbers): Muscat (capital; 25,000) together with Muttrah (153,000), Ruwi, Medinat Qaboos, Al Khuwair (101,000) forms a conurbation area with 540,000 residents (Capital Area), As Sib 223,500, Salalah 156,000, Bawshar 150,000, Sohar 104,000, Ibri 97,500, Saham 85,000, Rustaq 75,000, Barka 75,000, Nizwa 69,000, Buraimi 68,000, Sur 67,000.
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Language |
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In the sultanate of Oman, Arabic is spoken, partly Sawahili, Farsi and Urdu is spoken as well. English is spoken or understood in business life.
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Time Difference |
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Central European Time (CET) +3 hours.
During European summer time, the time difference is +2 hours.
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Electricity |
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220-240V alternating current, 50Hz (local fluctuations between 200 and 260V).
Three-pole plugs are generally used; accordingly, travellers are recommended to carry an adapter.
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Postal Service |
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Air mail takes approximately 4 days to Europe.
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Telephone |
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The international dialling code for calls from Western Europe to Oman is 00968; the individual telephone number must be dialled immediately after this code. In the case of calls from Oman to Western Europe, the prefix "00" must be dialled prior to the relevant international country code (for example in the case of calls to Germany: 00-49). A sufficient number of public phone boxes is available in the cities; they are usually operated with telephone cards (occasionally also with coins). Please note that it is very expensive to call from hotels.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS: police, ambulance and fire department 9999.
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Mobile Phones |
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Mobile network technologies: GSM 900.
Information for users of mobile phones registered with German network providers: Mobile phones connected to the E-Plus, O2, T-Mobile or Vodafone networks can be used due to international roaming agreements. Travellers intending to use other mobile phones are advised to contact their network provider for detailed information.
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Internet |
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Country code suffix: .om
There are internet cafés in all larger cities, among others in Muscat, Nizwah, Salalah and Sur.
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Public Holidays |
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The 18th and 19th November (Birthday of Sultan Quabus, National Holiday) are public holidays; additionally, there are numerous annual movable Islamic public holidays.
The working week ranges from Saturday to Wednesday; Thursday and Friday are weekend days. Friday is the weekly rest-day.
If a public holiday falls on a Friday, it will be brought forward to another workday on which employees get a (paid) day off.
The main holiday period is July/August.
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Opening Hours |
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Friday is the weekly closing day.
Banks: Sat to Wed 8a.m.-12p.m., Thurs 8a.m.-11:30a.m.;
Shops: Sat to Thurs 8/9a.m.-1p.m., 4p.m.-9/10p.m; some few supermarkets close at 8p.m., some are open until 11p.m..
Public offices: Sat to Wed 8a.m.-1/2p.m.;
Offices: Sat to Thurs 8a.m.-1p.m., 4p.m.-7p.m.
During the Ramadan period, offices etc. open and close half an hour earlier.
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Clothes |
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During the warm months, light summer clothes should be taken, which should be airy and easily washable. When staying during the colder months from November to March, travellers should also carry light woollen clothes for the rather chilly evenings. Moreover, good sunglasses and comfortable shoes are required throughout the year. Traveller staying in the desert should also take warm pullovers for the nights.
Swimming costumes and beach clothes should strictly be worn on the beach or at swimming-pools only (Omani woman are fully dressed when going for a swim). Female travellers should always dress modestly, and wear clothes covering their legs and upper arms (particularly when staying in the country's interior). Men should never wear shorts.
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© 2001 All rights reserved TIP Gesellschaft für Touristik-Informations-Programme mbH, München Last updated: 14.03.2007 - Proposals, hints and contact - Copyright
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