Muscat: Oman is in talks with the European Union to enable its citizens to travel to the bloc’s Schengen zone countries without a visa, Foreign Minister Yousuf Bin Alawi told local media on Thursday.
Bin Alawi added that the EU is studying the request from Oman, adding that Oman meets all the Schengen zone’s visa waiver requirements so far.
If Oman receives the final go ahead, Omanis will be able to travel to 27 European countries without visas.
Oman’s passport ranks 63 in the list of countries for ease of travel, with 54 countries offering its citizens visa-free access, according to Arton Capital Passport Index, 2015.
Many Omanis have expressed optimisim about the process, as more than 20,000 Omanis travel to Europe every year.
Ahmad Al Maskari, owner of a small travel agency, said that if the request is approved, more Omanis will travel to Europe as some find it difficult to apply for a Schnengen visa.
“I hope that dream comes true as I’m a frequent traveler to Europe myself,” said Al Maskari.
Omani passport holders along with Qataris and Emiratis can travel to the UK whether for study, tourism and business, for up to six months with an electronic visa waiver (EVW) that came into effect on January 1, 2014.
The applicant can complete the EVW online and its free and quicker than applying for a visa.
On May 7 this year, the UAE became the first Arab country to receive a EU visa waiver. Emiratis can travel visa-free to 104 countries, making the UAE passport rank 32 in the Arton Passport Index.
