Oman
Last update 16 January 2025Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 2: Increased cauion (Be informed on the current situation in the country beforehand)
2
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Sultanate of Oman
Bulgarian citizens residing in Oman on a short or long-term basis may address consular matters to the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Qatar and the Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Dubai
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in the State of Qatar
Address: West Bay, Dafna Area, Zone 66, Waraqa Bin Nawfal str. # 848, P.O. Box 23812, Doha, State of Qatar
Telephone: +974 44120023
Fax: +974 44120024
Out-of-hours hotline: +974 33593888
Working hours: Sun – Thu, 08:00 – 14:30
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/qatar
Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Dubai (UAE)
Address: Jumeira Road, Villa №18, Dubai, U.A.E.; P.O. Box 72535
Telephone: +971 4 3442419
Fax: +971 4 3442341
Out-of-hours hotline: +971 504522728 (for emergency and urgent cases only).
Е-mail: [email protected]
Honorary Consul of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Sultanate of Oman
mr. Muneer Ahmed Sulaiman
Address: Villa No. 5875, Way No: 664, Al Qurum, Near Bank Muscat, Muscat, the Sultanate of Oman, P.O.Box 568
Telephone: +968 2 2306010
Fax: +968 2 456 29 48
Е-mail: [email protected]
The Embassy of Oman in Vienna is accredited to the Republic of Bulgaria
Embassy of Oman in Vienna, the Republic of Austria
Address: Omani Embassy in Vienna, Austria Waehringer Strasse 2-4/24/25, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Telephone: +43 1 310 8643
Fax: +43 1 310 7268
Working hours: 09:00 – 15:00
Email: [email protected]
General information
Security level:
The Sultanate of Oman is a traditionally stable and secure country. The Sultanate of Oman is characterized by a low level of crime. Mostly non-violent offences, such as petty theft, isolated cases of stolen cars, and rarely, home burglaries.
Dangerous zones: Oman is a country with a vast territory, large parts of which are sparsely populated. Travel outside populated areas and especially wilderness walks should be undertaken with guides who know the area well.
Specifics of the local legislation:
According to the Basic Law of the Sultanate of Oman, Islam is the state religion and Islamic law, Sharia, is the basis of Omani law. At the same time, Oman's legal framework contains all the elements of a modern secular legal system. As in most Arab countries, in the Sultanate of Oman the norms of Sharia most strongly affect family relations, matters of civil status, inheritance, morality.
In the Sultanate of Oman and other countries in the region, compliance with the following norms of conduct is required:
• Clothing, especially for women, should be in accordance with local views of decency (thin-strapped T-shirts, shorts and skirts, low-cut necklines, see-through clothing, etc. are inappropriate);
• Intimacy with the opposite sex in public is unacceptable.
• The consumption of liquor in public places is prohibited.
• During the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims observe a complete fast during daylight hours, it is important not to consume food or drink and not to smoke in public or in front of local citizens.
Customs requirements:
The import of narcotics and psychotropic substances, explosives, pornography, liquor is prohibited (an exception is made for non-Muslims and only at Muscat International Airport, where up to 2 bottles of liquor per person are allowed). Import of liquor at a land border crossing point by private car is not allowed. Amounts in cash whose value exceeds 7,700 Omani rials (USD 20,000), or their equivalent in other currencies, should be declared both when imported into Oman and when exported from the country.
Road traffic:
Traffic is on the right in the Sultanate of Oman. The highways are of very good quality. Traffic congestion during busy times of the day could pose difficulties for driving in the capital city of Muscat. When it comes to the possible hazards of driving on Oman’s roads, attention is generally drawn to the danger of falling asleep at the wheel on the long, monotonous stretches of road outside populated areas, and also of camels grazing along the road suddenly stepping out into the lane. Collisions between a car and a camel are often fatal. According to some data, Oman ranks second in the world in the number of fatal auto accidents. Driving at very high speeds, especially outside populated areas, is cited as a major cause of deaths in car accidents. Driving outside the city at night is extremely dangerous. Not all drivers turn on their car lights as darkness falls, and in the dark of day the danger of hitting camels is even greater.
All taxi drivers in the Sultanate of Oman are Omani nationals. As a rule, taxis do not have counters. It is therefore necessary to agree the cost of the carriage with the driver, where it is normal for the customer to bargain. Most drivers are bona fide, but it is possible that too high price will be asked. It is advisable to prepare small notes in advance so that the agreed price can be paid accurately.
Practical advice:
Useful information about the Sultanate of Oman can be found on the following websites: http://www.insightguides.com/destinations/africa-middle-east/oman/plan-your-trip and
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Middle_East/Oman/Warnings_or_Dangers-Oman-MISC-BR-1.html
Local currency:
The national currency of the Sultanate of Oman is the Omani rial (OMR), which consists of 1,000 baisa. The exchange rate of the Omani currency is fixed against the US dollar, with USD 1 sold for OMR 0.384. Information on the Central Bank of Oman's exchange rates can be found at: https://cbo.gov.om/Pages/DFESearch.aspx
Climate:
During periods when rain is likely to fall, caution should be exercised when crossing the desert floodplains known as ‘wadis'. The areas adjacent to Saudi Arabia are desert and inaccessible. For the most part, the route of the Omani-Saudi border has not been determined. There are also no permanent roads in these areas.
Travel papers and visas
According to a bilateral agreement signed between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Sultanate of Oman, the holders of diplomatic and service passports are granted a mutual exemption from the requirement of short-term visas.
The visa regime in the Sultanate of Oman for EU member states, including Bulgaria, is ‘on arrival’, with visas issued on arrival at the airport itself. Bulgarian citizens can obtain a free tourist visa for a period of 14 days, for which they must present a passport with validity expiring not less than six months after the day of arrival, a hotel reservation and medical insurance for the entire period of stay in the country. If Bulgarian citizens intend to stay in Oman for more than 14 days, they can obtain a one-month tourist visa for about EUR 60, which is again issued ‘on arrival’, upon arrival at the airport itself or apply for it online at the following e-mail address: https://evisa.rop.gov.om/en/home
For more information on entry requirements to the Sultanate of Oman, you can visit the Royal Oman Police website at: https://www.rop.gov.om/english/index.aspx or Oman Airports at: https://www.omanairports.co.om/en/security
Consular service
Consular services:
There is no Bulgarian Diplomatic Mission in the Sultanate of Oman. Our Ambassador to the State of Kuwait is also accredited to the Sultanate of Oman. For consular services and assistance, Bulgarian citizens may apply to the nearest overseas Missions of the Republic of Bulgaria:
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Kuwait
Address: Kuwait, Jabriya, Area 11, Str.1 (H. 272) and Str.107 (H. 31)
Telephone: +965253144 58; +965253144 59
Fax: +965 253 214 53
E-mail: [email protected]
Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Dubai (UAE)
Address: Jumeira Road, Villa №18, Dubai, U.A.E.; P.O. Box 72535
Telephone: +971 4 3442419
Fax: +971 4 3442341
Е-mail: [email protected]
Bulgarian citizens may also contact the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Sultanate of Oman for assistance. However, the Honorary Consulate cannot provide consular services such as certifications and legalisations or accept applications for replacement of identity documents.
The Honorary Consul of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Sultanate of Oman is Mr. Muneer Ahmed Sulaiman
Address of the Honorary Consulate: Mina Al Fahal, P.O.Box 508, P.C. 116, Sultanate of Oman
Telephone: +968 2 456 76 48; +968 2 456 61 71; +968 2 456 57 56
Fax: +968 2 456 29 48
Е-mail: [email protected]