Oman Extends Cultural Visa to Include Spouses and First-Degree Relatives

The Sultanate’s expanded cultural visa now includes spouses and first-degree relatives — a big win for creatives building a life in Oman.

Publish date: Monday، 10 November 2025 Reading time: 1 min read

Oman Extends Cultural Visa to Include Spouses and First-Degree Relatives

Oman is opening its doors even wider to global talent. The country’s cultural visa has been expanded to include not just artists, writers, and cultural professionals — but also their spouses and first-degree relatives. That means families can now live and work in Oman together, marking another step in the country’s plan to become a hub for the creative industries.

The decision, announced by Oman News, updates the existing visa and residency regulations for foreigners in the Sultanate. It builds on the 10-year cultural visa policy introduced in 2023 — and adds a few new categories to make the system more inclusive and flexible.

What’s New in the Cultural Visa System

Here’s what’s changing under the updated framework:

Cultural Visa: Granted to foreigners entering Oman for cultural purposes, upon request from the relevant Omani cultural authority.
Joining Visa: Issued to the spouse or first-degree relatives of a foreigner with a cultural visa.
Cultural Residency Permit: For foreigners already living in Oman for cultural work.
Joining Residency Permit: For the family members who come under the joining visa.

Authorities say this update helps cultural professionals form stronger roots in Oman while giving their families more stability — a move that supports both creativity and community.

Aligning with Oman Vision 2040

The new visa system ties in with Oman Vision 2040, the country’s long-term plan to diversify its economy through non-oil sectors like culture, heritage, tourism, and the creative economy.

Cultural experts are calling this a turning point — one that positions Oman not just as a stage for performances and exhibitions, but as a home base for creators, researchers, and investors shaping the region’s cultural future.

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Oman Extends Cultural Visa to Include Spouses and First-Degree Relatives

What’s New in the Cultural Visa System

Aligning with Oman Vision 2040

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