UPDATE: See Oman no longer issues Visa on Arrival

Oman has eased its visa requirements for tourists from India, China and Russia following a similar strategy its Gulf neighbors have implemented to attract travelers from the global market.

India, China and Russia passport holders will now get a visa on arrival to Oman, subject to the following conditions:

1. You need to hold an entry visa to one of the following countries: USA, Canada, Australia, United Kingdon or Schengen Visa.
2. Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months, and you need to have a return ticket and a confirmed hotel reservation.
3. The Visa costs OMR 20 (USD 52) for a period of one month.
4. Even if one person in the family has the entry visa mentioned above, they can bring their spouse and children along as well.

“All passengers from India, China and Russia, who reside in or hold an entry visa to one of the following countries (United States of America, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and Schengen states) are allowed to obtain non-sponsored tourist visa to enter Oman as per the applied terms and conditions of the authorities,” a statement from the Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) said.

The company said the spouse and children of the visa holder would also be allowed to enter Oman while accompanying them. They however must obtain return tickets and confirmed hotel reservations before they are issued the visas.

Those who enter under the sultanate under the new system will need to pay the standard OMR20 ($52) for a tourist visa after the country quadrupled entry costs earlier this year.