What to do in Oman

A big change is on the horizon for travellers in and around the Gulf. A new unified visa — officially called the GCC Grand Tours Visa — is expected to launch soon, making it easier to explore the entire Gulf region on a single application. While an exact launch date has not yet been confirmed, the new process is anticipated to be available sometime this year. Approved in 2023 and now in its final planning stages, the visa will grant access to: United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia Bahrain Kuwait Oman Qatar Once launched, the GCC Grand Tours Visa will simplify...

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 has officially declared Sunday, June 29, 2025, as a public holiday for both public and private sector employees in observance of the Holy Prophet’s Hijra Anniversary and the beginning of the Hijri year 1447 AH. This decision means a three-day weekend for residents across the Sultanate, aligning their time off with neighbouring countries like the UAE, where the Islamic New Year will be marked slightly earlier  on Friday, June 27. The timing of the holiday is especially notable because Oman’s official work week runs from Sunday to Thursday. With the Islamic New Year falling on a Sunday, employees will...

Oman’s Ministry of Labour has officially implemented a new summer rule banning outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day. From June through August, work in open areas such as construction sites must stop between 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM. The regulation, part of Article (16), Clause (2) of the country’s Occupational Safety and Health Regulations, is designed to reduce heat-related health risks faced by labourers, particularly during Oman’s scorching summer months. The decision aligns with the launch of the Safe Summer campaign, an initiative aimed at educating companies and the general public on the dangers of heat stress....

Oman has confirmed five national holiday dates for 2026, giving residents and businesses early clarity on days off across the year. The announcement follows a government policy to publish national and religious holidays in advance, allowing better planning for work schedules, travel, and major events. Here are the public holidays Oman has confirmed so far for 2026: January 15 (Thursday): Accession Day January 18 (Sunday): Al Isra’a Wal Miraj June 18 (Thursday): Islamic New Year August 27 (Thursday): Mawlid Al Nabawi November 25–26 (Wed-Thu): National Day Dates for Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha will be announced separately based...

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...

Oman is preparing for a generous Eid Al Adha holiday this year, with a full five-day break expected across both the public and private sectors. According to Dr. Subaih bin Rahman Al Saadi, a local expert in celestial sciences, the first day of Eid Al Adha is likely to fall on Friday, June 6, 2025, based on current astronomical projections. Following Royal Decree No. 88/2022, the country will officially observe the holiday from Dhul Hijjah 9 to 12, the traditional dates marking the Islamic celebration. But since the first day of Eid is expected to fall on a Friday —...

Construction has officially started on the UAE-Oman railway project, marking a significant milestone in regional connectivity and GCC cooperation. The long-anticipated Hafeet Rail line will initially run between Abu Dhabi and Sohar, Oman’s key port city. The rail line promises to deliver fast, efficient, and sustainable travel across national borders. With passenger trains reaching speeds of 200 kilometres per hour, the journey between the two cities will take just 100 minutes. Each train will be able to carry up to 400 passengers, and the freight trains will transport cargo equivalent to 300 trucks, reducing truck-related carbon emissions by 80%.  ...

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...