Oman–Pakistan visa waiver for diplomats signed; no start date for travellers yet

Pakistan and Oman have signed a mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, special, official and service passports, alongside agreements on media and information technology cooperation. Pakistan's foreign ministry announced the five agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on Thursday, following a two-day visit to Islamabad by Oman's foreign minister.

Key facts

• Signed: the document exchange ceremony took place at the Prime Minister's House on the evening of 14 October 2026.
• Covered by the exemption: diplomatic, special, official and service passports only.
• Other agreements: records and archives, media cooperation, communications and information technology, and news exchange.
• Occasion: the eighth session of the Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC).
• Next session: the ninth JMC is to be held in Muscat next year.

What is covered by the visa exemption?

One of the five documents covers "mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, special, official, and service passports," Pakistan's foreign office said. The agreement applies to both countries, according to the announcement.

The source does not state when the exemption enters into force, how it will be applied at borders or airports, or what conditions such as permitted length of stay will apply. Ordinary tourist and business passport holders are not included in the exemption described in the announcement.

Who is affected?

The exemption is aimed at people travelling on diplomatic, special, official and service passports between Pakistan and Oman. No other nationalities or passport categories are mentioned in the announcement.

What else did the two countries agree?

Beyond the visa exemption, the two sides signed MoUs on records and archives, media cooperation, communications and information technology, and news exchange. Pakistan's foreign office said the wider JMC talks covered trade and investment, maritime and logistics connectivity, agriculture, industry, energy, workforce mobility, human resource development, education, information technology, media and climate change.

Oman's foreign minister, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi, visited Islamabad from 13 to 14 October 2026 for the JMC meeting with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif witnessed the signing ceremony.

What this means for travellers

Travellers holding diplomatic, special, official or service passports issued by Pakistan or Oman may eventually be able to visit the other country without a visa, but the announcement gives no entry-into-force date or application process. Passport holders in those categories should confirm the current requirements with the relevant authorities before travelling.

For everyone else, the agreements announced so far do not change visa or entry rules. The two sides agreed to convene the ninth session of the JMC in Muscat next year.