Oman Scientific Research Visa for visiting researchers

The visa is for foreigners visiting Oman for scientific research. ROP requires the applicant to be a scientific researcher and the request to come from a local competent body, which must show that other competent authorities have approved the research.

Typical sponsors are Omani universities, research centres or government entities that host the project. The applicant must be outside Oman when the visa is requested.

The sponsor uploads a letter requesting the visa under its sponsorship so that the foreigner can carry out scientific research, together with the approval of the authorities concerned. The researcher's digital photo and passport copy complete the file.

Research involving specialised fields may need additional approvals, which ROP describes as approvals of the concerned authority for specific professions.

ROP lists a fee of OMR 50. The visa allows a single entry and a stay of one month, and it must be used within three months of issue.

The stay can be extended by up to two months. ROP sets the extension fee at OMR 50; the first extension can be requested by the applicant, while later extensions are handled at a passports and civil status office.

Approvals from other authorities take time, so the sponsor should secure them before filing. A research stay longer than three months in total does not fit this visa; long-term academic employment uses the work permit and employment visa route.

As with every ROP visa, the passport must be valid for six months on entry and the applicant must not hold another current Omani visa.