E-visa to ease Oman entry, boost tourism

In a bid to boost tourism, Royal Oman Police (ROP) is all set to launch e-visa system by February, a senior official of the ROP told Times of Oman. The official said that the e-visa system would help the expatriates to enter the country via the local airports and border posts. "It also aims to boost tourism in the country as the country is working to diversify its national income," noted the official. The e-visa is an integral system that contains different types of visas that allow the visitors to pick up their required visa from the comforts of their homes. "You go through a series of steps wherein you provide them with the required information, use your credit card to pay for it (instead of cash money upon arrival or at the embassy), and finally print out your visa," the official explained. He also said that each visa has its own terms. "But you still have the option of going to the embassy to apply," said the official. There will be, however, no change of the terms for obtaining types of visa in the e-visa system, said the official. The official also said that tourist visa that is issued to visitors will depend on the relation between Oman and that country. "It is all about how those countries facilitate issuance of visa for Omani nationals. If the country facilitates visa for Omanis easily, Oman will do the same, not to forget the political and security situation of that country," noted the official. Not everyone can obtain tourist visa for entry because some countries have been put into the prohibited list, while other countries' nationals can easily obtain Omani visa, said the official. About how to obtain e-visa, the official explained that the applicant can go to the ROP website http://www.rop.gov.om, and enter the required information as well as the payment through the electronic payment gateway. Then, the applicant will be informed via the email whether the visa has been approved or not. The official affirmed that there would be no change in the e-visa fees for now. Meanwhile, ROP is going to introduce visitor information system as well as entry and exit system via borders and airports as well as the e-customs. The official didn't give further information about it. He added that it is aimed at simplifying the procedures and saving time. "It's part of a big integral electronic system to be introduced by the ROP this year since the work started in 2012," said the official. http://www.timesofoman.com/News/46574/Article-e-visa-to-ease-Oman-entry-boost-tourism