Oman grants visa-free entry to Filipino visitors from 2026

Oman will introduce visa-free entry for travellers from the Philippines starting in 2026, in line with the sultanate’s strategy to increase visitor arrivals and enhance connectivity with key Asian markets.

​​Confirming the move, Oman’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Nasser Said Abdullah Al Manwari, said Filipino visitors will be eligible for visa-free stays of up to two weeks, positioning Oman as the first Middle Eastern country to grant visa-free access to Philippine passport holders and expanding its visa-exempt list to 105 nationalities

The measure supports Oman’s National Tourism Strategy 2040, which targets more than 11 million visitors annually and a 10% tourism GDP contribution by 2040. In 2023, the sultanate recorded 4.2 million international arrivals — a 41% increase year on year — driven by key markets including India, Germany and GCC countries.

The Philippines is now being positioned as a growth market, reflecting rising outbound demand from Southeast Asia, with some 2.4 million Filipinos travelling overseas in the first four months of 2025 alone and international travel spending forecast to reach a new high this year.

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The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism said the decision reflects Oman’s continued efforts to diversify its source markets and attract long-haul travellers through simplified entry policies. Ambassador Al Manwari added that direct flights between Manila and Muscat have already improved accessibility, with plans underway to launch routes from Cebu and other gateways.

The visa exemption aligns with Oman’s broader policy of easing entry for priority markets. In addition to the Philippines, the country has extended visa-free stays to travellers from Thailand, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and several EU nations through 2026, aiming to position Oman as one of the Gulf’s most accessible leisure destinations.

Oman was recently named as one of the top three emerging destinations for travellers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), according to Marriott Bonvoy’s latest trends report. 

For more information, visit mht.gov.om