Why Oman and Turkey’s New Visa-Free Agreement is a Game-Changer for Travelers in 2025, You Need to Know

Published on December 25, 2025

By: Paramita Sarkar

On December 22, 2025, the Foreign Ministry of the Sultanate of Oman officially announced the implementation of a mutual visa exemption agreement with the Republic of Türkiye. While the announcement was made at the close of the year, the agreement officially came into force retroactively from November 1, 2025. This strategic move aims to enhance bilateral relations and pave the way for greater travel, business exchanges, and tourism between the two nations, with benefits extending to Omani and Turkish citizens alike.

Who is Affected by the Agreement?

The newly implemented visa exemption agreement specifically applies to citizens of Oman and Turkey who hold ordinary passports. The exemption is designed for short-term visits and tourism purposes, making travel to each other’s countries much simpler and more accessible. The arrangement comes as a result of high-level diplomatic discussions, further cementing the partnership between Oman and Turkey.

This bilateral agreement promises to bring about a significant shift in the ease of travel between the two nations, with potential to enhance business tourism, cultural exchanges, and foster greater tourism flows.

What are the Key Features of the Visa Exemption Agreement?

The mutual visa exemption agreement allows Omani and Turkish citizens to travel freely between their countries under the following conditions:

1. For Omani Citizens Entering Turkey:
   • Omani nationals can stay in Turkey for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
   • There is no visa required for entry, which means a seamless travel experience for tourism and short-term visits.
   • Passport validity must be at least six months from the date of entry.
2. For Turkish Citizens Entering Oman:
   • Turkish nationals can stay in Oman for up to 30 consecutive days per visit.
   • Like Omani citizens, Turkish nationals also enjoy visa-free travel for tourism and short stays.
   • A minimum of six months passport validity is required for Turkish passport holders as well.

Both governments recommend that travelers ensure they have appropriate health insurance coverage for the duration of their stay in the other country. This is highly advised to avoid any unforeseen medical expenses during their visit.

Why Was This Agreement Established?

The agreement comes as a result of high-level diplomatic talks that took place at Al Alam Palace in Muscat during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s state visit to Oman in October 2025. This initiative is seen as a direct outcome of the growing diplomatic ties between the two nations, built on years of historical and fraternal bonds.

The agreement aims to facilitate travel for both tourism and business, addressing the need for easier access between Oman and Turkey. Both governments have emphasized that this initiative will help boost tourism, strengthen the business sector, and further solidify the bilateral relationship. With both countries strategically positioned in the Middle East, the visa exemption is expected to create greater opportunities for cultural exchanges and regional economic collaboration.

What Are the Long-Term Goals of the Agreement?

Beyond easing travel for tourists, the agreement is aligned with the broader economic objectives of both nations. By improving travel accessibility, both Oman and Turkey expect to see an increase in visitors, which will likely benefit their tourism industries, bolster their respective economies, and potentially encourage more investment and collaboration in sectors such as trade, energy, and technology.

Furthermore, this move is seen as part of an effort by Oman to expand its global diplomatic footprint by providing its citizens with more travel opportunities, especially to key regional and international destinations. Likewise, for Turkey, the agreement strengthens its relations within the Middle East while also enhancing its tourism potential.

What Are the Broader Implications for Omani and Turkish Travelers?

For Omani travelers, the implementation of this agreement adds another major destination to their list of visa-free countries, particularly in the context of Europe and Asia. Omani citizens can now travel to Turkey easily for tourism, which is expected to significantly increase cultural exchanges, tourism flows, and economic interactions between the two countries. Additionally, with the added benefit of more countries offering visa-free access, such as China and the United Kingdom, Oman’s passport is becoming an increasingly powerful travel document.

For Turkish citizens, the exemption agreement offers more travel options in the Middle East. Oman has long been a tourist-friendly destination for Turkish nationals, and with the new visa-free arrangement, it further opens the door to increased Turkish visitation. In 2025, Turkey is also expanding its visa-free access, including countries in the Balkans, the Americas, and Asia, reinforcing its position as a key player in global diplomatic mobility.

The agreement further strengthens Oman’s position as a hub for business and tourism in the region. With more countries granting visa-free access to Omani citizens, Oman’s emerging status as a travel and business gateway in the Middle East is on the rise.

Health Insurance and Other Important Details to Keep in Mind

As with all international travel, the Omani authorities strongly encourage travelers to ensure that they have comprehensive health insurance to cover the duration of their stay in Turkey. This is a particularly important recommendation, as medical care can be costly for foreign visitors who are not covered under local health schemes.

Moreover, the exemption agreement is limited to short-term stays for tourism, meaning that Omani and Turkish citizens intending to study, work, or reside long-term in the other country must still apply for the appropriate visa as per the established immigration laws.

What Does This Agreement Mean for Tourism and Economic Cooperation?

The new agreement is expected to stimulate tourism between the two countries, making it easier for citizens to travel for leisure and business. This aligns with the broader regional tourism objectives, which aim to capitalize on the growing demand for short-term travel between neighboring nations in the Middle East.

As Oman and Turkey continue to strengthen their economic ties, the visa exemption agreement is likely to play a key role in facilitating greater economic collaboration in sectors like tourism, trade, and energy. It is also part of a broader trend in the region, where several countries have been entering into bilateral visa-exemption agreements to ease travel restrictions and encourage mutual economic growth.

In addition to fostering tourism and cultural exchanges, this agreement has potential long-term benefits for businesses looking to collaborate across borders. For example, the streamlined travel process could encourage more Turkish businesses to invest in Oman and vice versa, opening the door for partnerships in key sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and technology.

Looking Ahead: What Are the Future Prospects for Oman and Turkey?

The visa exemption agreement between Oman and Turkey sets a strong precedent for future agreements aimed at enhancing mobility and deepening bilateral ties. By simplifying travel for citizens of both nations, it provides a foundation for stronger diplomatic relations and more dynamic trade and tourism activities.

As both nations continue to grow as key players in the Middle East, this agreement provides a strategic advantage for their citizens, businesses, and visitors alike, offering greater connectivity, opportunities for collaboration, and the promise of a more integrated regional economy.

In conclusion, the Oman-Turkey mutual visa exemption agreement is a landmark development that strengthens diplomatic relations, facilitates travel, and creates new avenues for economic and tourism growth. With the agreement now in effect, both countries are poised to reap the benefits of this new era of easy and unrestricted travel.