Oman has made visiting for a meeting or convention so simple that you can apply online. You can just fill in the form on the Oman e-visa system and then track your visa application online with no fuss or waiting in an airport queue. To sign up for an e-visa, visit ww.evisa.rop.gov.om and breeze through the registration process with a username and password. You can select business visa and you’ll be on your way to Oman and your event at the OCEC.
The Climate of Oman can be described as subtropical dry, hot desert climate with low annual rainfall, very high temperatures in summer and a big difference between maximum and minimum temperatures, especially in the inland areas. Summer (June to September) is very low rainfall. Daily maximum temperatures can reach easily 40°C or more. Winter is cooler with occasional rainfall.
Like most countries in the Gulf region, Oman’s official business week is Sunday-Thursday, with the weekend being Friday and Saturday. Banks, Embassies and Consulates are generally open from 8am-12 noon.
Major cards such as Visa, MasterCard and Amex are widely accepted.
The Omani Rial is pegged to the US Dollar at approximately 1 OMR = 2.6008 USD.
Money can be exchanged at Muscat International Airport, money exchanges and banks. Always make sure to have your passport or ID when exchanging money.
Value Added Tax (VAT): A 5% VAT is applied to most goods and services, including those in the tourism and hospitality sectors, such as hotels, transport, and dining. Tourists may be eligible for a VAT refund on select goods purchased within three months of departure, provided the total is over 25 Omani Rials and the items are for personal use.
While dress codes are fairly liberal, consideration should be given not to offend the sensibilities of others. Swimwear should be worn only on beaches or at swimming pools. When visiting shopping malls and other attractions, tourists should wear clothing that is not too tight or revealing. Certain attractions such as mosques or religious sites usually have stricter dress codes, requiring both men and women to cover up bare shoulders, arms and legs, and women to wear head-scarves.
220/240 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. Standard British-type 13-amp square three-pin plugs are used throughout the country. European or US-made appliances may need a plug adapter.
Alcohol is available in hotels, clubs and their restaurants and bars as well as in airport duty free shops. However, most restaurants that are not within hotels may not serve alcohol. Drinking in public places such as public beaches and parks is not permitted.
