What to do in Oman - Latest News

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)...

The 2025 Dhofar Khareef season in Salalah has officially begun with the launch of Ateen Square, a new cultural and entertainment hub serving as the centrepiece of this year’s festivities. Running until August 31, the venue welcomes both local and international guests with heritage events, modern entertainment, and family-friendly experiences. Ateen Square features a central stage inspired by Dhofar’s mountain ranges. It’s fitted with laser projections, digital screens, and artificial waterfalls to support performances each evening. The square also welcomed the world’s largest inflatable amusement park, offering slides, obstacle courses, and bounce zones under staff supervision.     View this...

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...

Khareef in southern Oman is unlike autumn anywhere else. From July 15 to August 31, 2025, the Dhofar region turns lush and green, thanks to its seasonal monsoon. During this time, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism is hosting the Khareef Festival, a large-scale cultural celebration across Salalah, Mirbat, Taqah, and Mekhlaf. With over 180 activities on the calendar, the festival blends local traditions with family-friendly entertainment. Visitors can expect live music, poetry performances, dance shows, food stalls, camel rides, art displays, and cultural workshops. Whether you’re watching a traditional Omani dance or sampling sambusas in the misty air, the...

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...

The GCC Railway is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in the region — a 2,117-kilometre high-speed rail network set to connect key cities across the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries. While the vision is bold, bringing it to life is proving to be a complex and multifaceted undertaking. According to SYSTRA, a global expert in mobility solutions and a key player in the Etihad Rail development, cross-border high-speed rail (HSR) systems come with layers of logistical, technical, and political complexity. HSR networks promise plenty — shorter travel times, economic growth, environmental benefits, and tighter...

In a major policy shift, Oman has enacted its first Personal Income Tax Law, set to take effect on January 1, 2028. The move is part of the Sultanate’s Vision 2040 strategy, which aims to strengthen economic sustainability and reduce dependence on oil revenues. The new law, issued under Royal Decree No. 56/2025 by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, introduces a 5% tax on individuals earning more than OMR 42,000 annually. According to the Tax Authority, this high exemption threshold means that 99% of Oman’s population will not be affected. Exemptions will apply to essential expenses and obligations, including: Education Housing...