What to do in Muscat - Latest News

Muscat, mark your calendars for one of the best music nights! House of Paradise lands at La Sirena Beach Lounge on October 3rd, and it’s bringing one of the most exciting names in the global electronic scene: &friends. Meet &friends: The Vision of Sean Thomas Behind &friends is Sean Thomas, a San Diego–raised, Dubai-based producer with a big vision. For Sean, &friends isn’t just about music, it’s about building a community that blends cultures, voices, and stories from around the world. After stepping away from music for a few years, Sean returned with a fresh purpose: to create soulful house...

If you’re living in Oman and planning to go on the Hajj next year, here’s what you need to know. The Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs opens online registration for the 2026 season on September 23. The ministry has stressed that registration alone doesn’t guarantee a place. Pilgrims will be selected automatically based on Oman’s quota from Saudi authorities, and successful applicants will be notified by text message. Residents can sign up through the official portal www.hajj.om. Here are the key details for applicants: Deadline: October 8, 2025 Eligibility: Citizens and residents of Oman 18+ Required info: Civil number,...

Oman has recently signed an agreement with Bahrain that aims to simplify cross-border trade by eliminating the issue of double taxation and curbing tax evasion. The deal, which was approved under Royal Decree No. 62 of 2025 by Sultan Haitham bin Tarek, marks an important step towards strengthening economic relations between the two nations. The agreement seeks to remove the challenges posed by overlapping tax responsibilities, making it easier for businesses to operate across both countries. By doing so, it is expected to attract more investment and promote long-term growth in the Gulf region. This pact also enhances financial oversight...

Oman is taking a big step toward modernizing its payment systems with the introduction of a national payment card. Set to be issued by local banks under the oversight of the Central Bank, this new initiative is designed to offer a more secure, smooth, and convenient way for people to make payments both online and in stores. This move is a major part of Oman’s push to develop its digital payment landscape and reduce reliance on foreign payment providers. The new card will allow users to make transactions within a unified national system, making payments easier and safer for everyone,...

Oman has declared a public holiday for both public and private sector employees in celebration of Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) birthday. The holiday will fall on Sunday, September 7, 2025, as the Prophet’s birthday itself, on September 5, coincides with Friday, which is already a weekend in Oman. Since the official workweek in Oman runs from Sunday to Thursday, this timing gives workers a well-deserved 3-day weekend to enjoy the occasion. With the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) birthday falling on the 12th day of Rabi’ Al Awwal, this holiday will be a time for reflection and celebration across the region, marking an...

Oman will launch its new golden visa programme for investors on August 31, as part of broader efforts to strengthen the Sultanate’s position as a global investment hub. This initiative also supports the country's goal of accelerating its digital transition in commerce. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion will introduce the golden visa alongside the “Al Majida Companies” initiative, which supports high-performing Omani firms. Additionally, a new service will allow the electronic transfer of commercial registrations via the Oman Business platform. Foreigners can apply for the programme via the ‘Invest Oman’ online platform. There are two options to...

Private sector employees in Oman now have clear rules on how annual performance-based bonuses will be handled, thanks to a new decision from the Ministry of Labour. Effective from January 1 every year, Omani workers with at least six months of service at their current establishment are entitled to a periodic bonus, based on the outcome of their annual performance evaluation. The decision is part of efforts to ensure transparency and fairness in pay structures and is rooted in the country’s updated Labour Law (Royal Decree No. 53/2023). The periodic salary bonus is paid as a percentage of an employee’s...

Kadim Al Sahir is coming to Oman. Save the date — October 3, 2025 — for a live performance by the Iraqi artist known as The Caesar of Arabic Music. The concert will take place at Al Irfan Theatre within the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC). As part of his Now and Then World Tour, the singer has already lined up performances in Turkey, Jordan, and two shows in Lebanon — and now Oman is on the map for a short stop this October.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Moments Events (@moments.events)...

Oman is preparing to host a major international cricket event this October, with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia and East Asia-Pacific Qualifier scheduled to take place over ten days. According to the ICC, nine teams will take part, competing for three qualification spots at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, set to be held in India and Sri Lanka. Teams that secured their places through sub-regional qualifiers in 2024 — Kuwait, Malaysia, UAE, Qatar, Japan, and Samoa — will join Nepal, Papua New Guinea, and hosts Oman. Four of them — Oman, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, and...

Oman is moving into the next phase of its national campaign to reduce plastic pollution. From July 1, 2025, the country will implement Phase 3 of its ban on single-use plastic shopping bags, targeting a wider range of retail and food-related businesses. This phase, announced by the Environment Authority, will concern: Fruit and vegetable shops Grocery stores and packaging units Candy factories and sweet shops Bakeries and outlets selling bread, pastries, and confectionery Gift shops Businesses in these categories will need to replace single-use plastic bags with eco-friendly alternatives such as reusable cloth or paper bags. Here's a short recap...