Is Oman a visa-waiver country?
Yes. The Sultanate of Oman is one of a small number of Gulf states on New Zealand's visa-waiver list. As an Omani citizen you don't need to lodge a visitor visa application or provide bank statements in advance for a short trip. Instead, you apply online for an NZeTA, the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority.
The NZeTA has been required since 1 October 2019. Airlines check it before you board any flight to New Zealand, and cruise lines check it before you join a ship that calls at New Zealand ports. Without it, you will not be allowed to travel, even though you don't need a visa.
An approved NZeTA stays valid for up to 2 years. If you visit New Zealand every year, for example during the summer holidays, you only need to apply once in that period, as long as your passport stays the same.
Omani citizens vs Oman residents
Oman has a large expatriate community. It is important to understand that visa-waiver status depends on citizenship, not residence.
Omani passport holders
You can apply for an NZeTA and visit New Zealand without a visa for up to 90 days. This page applies to you.
Residents with other passports
A residence card from Oman does not change your status. If your passport is from a country that needs a visa, you must apply for a visitor visa. Check the page for your passport country or our eligibility overview.
Omani citizens who also hold another nationality should apply with whichever passport they will use for the flight. The NZeTA and the airline booking must show the same passport.
Entering an Arabic name
Omani passports print your name in Arabic and in Latin letters. The NZeTA application only uses the Latin version. A few tips help avoid mismatches:
- Copy the English spelling letter by letter from the passport photo page. Names such as Mohammed, Muhammad and Mohamed are different spellings to a computer.
- Include prefixes such as Al, bin or bint where your passport shows them, with the same spacing and hyphens.
- Put your family or tribal name in the family name field, and all other names in the given names field, following the order on the passport.
- If the photo page and the machine-readable zone at the bottom differ slightly, use the machine-readable zone, because airlines read that line.
Use the same spelling when you book your flights. Many problems at check-in come from a booking made in a shortened version of the traveller's name.
How the application works
Start
Open the form, enter your email address and choose a processing speed.
Passport
Enter each traveller's name, passport number, nationality and dates.
Questions
Answer the health, character and travel questions.
Photo and pay
Upload a face photo and pay with a Visa, Mastercard or Amex card.
Photos should show your full face clearly. Head coverings worn for religious reasons are acceptable as long as your face from chin to forehead is visible. Your fee includes the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).
Apply online for an Omani NZeTA
Turnaround times
Decisions usually arrive within 72 hours. If you are travelling soon, choose a faster option.
| Speed | Time to decision |
|---|---|
| Normal | 48–72 hours |
| Emergency | 24–48 hours |
| Rush | 12–24 hours |
Current prices are on the fees page. If your approval has not arrived, use the status check or contact our support team.
Routes and the best time to go
There are no direct flights between Muscat and New Zealand. Most Omani travellers connect through Dubai or Doha, where Gulf carriers fly onward to Auckland, or through an Asian hub such as Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. Allow most of a day for the journey, including the connection. New Zealand is 8 to 9 hours ahead of Oman, depending on New Zealand daylight saving.
The seasons work in your favour. When Oman is at its hottest, between June and August, New Zealand is in winter. That makes July a good time for skiing in Queenstown or seeing snow for the first time. If you prefer warm weather, New Zealand's summer runs from December to February, a pleasant time for road trips and beaches.
Some families also travel during school holidays and the Eid breaks. Halal food is widely available in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and there are mosques in the main cities.
Landing in New Zealand
The NZeTA gets you on the plane. A border officer then decides whether to let you in. Have these ready:
- The Omani passport linked to your NZeTA
- A confirmed return or onward ticket
- Enough funds for your stay, such as a bank card or recent statement
- Your hotel booking or the address of the family you are visiting
- Your completed New Zealand Traveller Declaration
Biosecurity: declare dates, Omani halwa, spices, nuts, honey, frankincense and any other plant or food products. New Zealand inspects these carefully. Declaring is free; undeclared risk items can lead to a fine on the spot.
Once your plans are set, submit your New Zealand eTA application from Oman so it is approved well before you fly. Planning a business trip? Our business visitor guide lists the activities you can do on an NZeTA.
Common questions from Oman
No. Oman is a visa-waiver country, so Omani passport holders can visit for up to 90 days without a visa. An approved NZeTA is required before you travel.
Only if you hold an Omani passport. Residence in Oman does not give you visa-waiver status, so expatriate residents must check the rules for the country that issued their passport.
Copy your name exactly as it appears in English on the passport photo page, including prefixes such as Al, bin or bint and any spaces or hyphens. Do not translate or re-spell it.
You must declare all food when you arrive. Commercially packaged items are often allowed after inspection, but declaring them is the safe choice and avoids an instant fine.
Yes. You can add up to 10 travellers to one application, but each person, including babies, receives their own NZeTA linked to their own passport.
No. The NZeTA covers tourism, family visits, business meetings and short study only. Paid work requires a separate visa.