Oman Adds Mauritania to 14-Day Visa-Free Entry List Covering 100 Countries

Oman will allow nationals of more than 100 countries and regions to enter without arranging a visa in advance, for stays of up to 14 days. The country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs set out the exemption policy as part of national efforts to ease travel and promote tourism.

Key facts

• Visa exemption covers nationals of more than 100 countries and regions
• Permitted stay: up to 14 days without a visa obtained in advance
• Eligible countries are split into two groups, both allowing the same 14-day duration
• Eight African countries are included; Mauritania is the only West African one
• Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire and Kenya are not on either list
• The full list is published on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website

What is changing?

Oman's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has outlined a visa exemption policy covering more than 100 countries and regions. Nationals of the listed countries can enter Oman for stays of up to 14 days without first obtaining a visa.

The eligible countries are divided into two groups based on their exemption terms. The first group covers nationals who can enter visa-free for up to 14 days, while the second group is granted the same duration under a separate category in the policy framework.

Which African countries are included?

Only eight African countries appear across the two groups. Mauritius, Seychelles and South Africa are named in the first group, alongside major global travel markets. Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia fall into the second group.

Mauritania is the only West African nation on the list, making it the sole representative of the sub-region. The wider list also includes countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Japan and Brazil in the first group, and India, Mexico, Vietnam and Jordan in the second.

Who still needs a visa?

Citizens of countries absent from both groups must still go through the usual visa application process before travelling to Oman. The source names Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire and Kenya among those not included.

What this means for travellers

Travellers holding a passport from a listed country can plan a short stay of up to 14 days in Oman without applying for a visa beforehand. Mauritanian passport holders are the only West African nationals covered by the exemption.

Passport holders from countries not on either list, including Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire and Kenya, should allow time to apply for a visa through the standard process before booking travel. Checking whether your nationality appears on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs list is the first step.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes the complete visa exemption list on its website. The source does not state when the exemption takes effect or whether any conditions apply beyond the 14-day limit.