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Observer
4 days ago
- Observer
What are the options for visa-free entry for Omanis?
MUSCAT: The summer outbound travel season begins in the Sultanate of Oman, but citizens are required to take note of the distinct visa requirements of each destination. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently announced a new visa-free entry policy for citizens of four Gulf countries: Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain. from June 9, 2025, to June 8, 2026, allowing ordinary passport holders from the four countries to enter China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days. The Foreign Ministry said that the mutual visa exemption agreement between the Sultanate of Oman and the Russian Federation will be effective upon completion of the necessary procedures by both parties. According to options include visiting without a prior visa, visa-on-arrival countries and Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) countries. Oman passport holders can travel without a visa to the following countries that include Albania, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belarus, Botswana, Brunei, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Cook Islands, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, Georgia, Haiti, Hong Kong, Iran, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyztan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritius, Micronesia, Morocco, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine, the UAE, Uzbekistan, Türkiye and Zambia among others. Omani nationals are eligible for a visa on arrival in the following 34 countries, some of which include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Iraq, Maldives, Nepal, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Yemen. Oman passport holders are eligible to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before visiting the following 3 countries (Kenya, New Zealand and the United Kingdom). An eTA is a digital travel document required for eligible travellers who are visa-exempt for a specific countr, and it can be obtained online before travel. Omanis are required to apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) before travelling to 32 countries, including Bhutan, India, South Africa, Taiwan, Uganda and Vietnam. Oman passport holders need to apply for a regular visa before travelling to around 113 countries, including those in the Schengen area. "Visa processing times, fees and required documents vary by the traveller's nationality and the destination country. Marita Bachhav, regional head of VFS Global, which processes visa documents and collects applications for most countries, said that Europe remains a popular destination for travellers from Oman and demand for visas, especially during peak travel seasons like summer holidays, is higher than other times of the year. "Travellers can apply for Schengen visas up to six months before the intended date of travel and we urge applicants to plan and apply for their visas well in advance to avoid any delays," she said. According to GCC or Oman residents can travel without a visa or with a visa on arrival to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Indonesia, Jordan, Maldives, Nepal, Seychelles, Tanzania and Zanzibar, apart from countries within the GCC.
Observer
7 days ago
- Observer
China offers visa-free entry for Omanis. What are the other options?
Muscat: The summer outbound travel season begins in the Sultanate of Oman, but citizens are required to take note of the distinct visa requirements of each destination. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a new visa-free entry policy for citizens of four Gulf countries: Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain. from June 9, 2025, to June 8, 2026, allowing ordinary passport holders from the four countries to enter China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days. The Foreign Ministry has said that Omanis that the mutual visa exemption agreement between the Sultanate of Oman and the Russian Federation will be effective upon completion of the necessary procedures by both parties. According to options include visiting without a prior visa, visa-on-arrival countries, and Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) countries. Oman passport holders can travel without a visa to the following countries that include Albania, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belarus, Botswana, Brunei, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Cook Islands, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, Georgia, Haiti, Hong Kong, Iran, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyztan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritius, Micronesia, Morocco, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, and the Grenadines, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine, the UAE, Uzebkistan and Türkiye and Zambia among others. Omani nationals are eligible for a visa on arrival in the following 34 countries, including which include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Iraq, Maldives, Nepal, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Yemen. As per upon arrival at the immigration checkpoint in the destination country, travelers may need to complete the requisite paperwork, provide any necessary documentation, and pay the visa fee. In most cases, a visa can be obtained at the airport or border crossing point upon arrival. Fees, validity, and allowed duration of stay may vary. Upon arrival at the immigration checkpoint in the destination country, travelers may need to complete the requisite paperwork, provide any necessary documentation, and pay the relevant visa fee. The immigration officer will subsequently issue the visa, granting the visitor authorization to enter and remain in the country for the specified duration and purpose. Oman passport holders are eligible to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before visiting the following 3 countries (Kenya, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom). An eTA is a digital travel document required for eligible travelers who are visa-exempt for a specific country, and it can be obtained online before travel. Omanis are required to apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) before traveling to 32 countries, including Bhutan, India, South Africa, Taiwan, Uganda, and Vietnam. Oman passport holders need to apply for a regular visa before traveling to around 113 countries, including those in the Schengen area. "Visa processing times, fees, and required documents vary by the traveler's nationality and the destination country. To obtain a visa, travelers generally need to apply at the destination country's embassy or consulate in their country of origin or country of residence, providing required documents such as a passport, photographs, itinerary, proof of financial means, and other relevant information. It is important to check the specific visa requirements for your destination country before planning your trip to ensure that you have the appropriate documents and permissions for your visit," said. Marita Bachhav, regional head of VFS Global, which processes visa documents and collects applications for most countries, told the Observer that Europe remains a popular destination for travellers from Oman and demand for visas, especially during peak travel seasons like summer holidays, is higher than other times of the year. "Travellers can apply for Schengen visas up to six months before the intended date of travel, and we urge applicants to plan and apply for their visas well in advance to avoid any delays," she said. According to GCC or Oman residents can travel without a visa or with a visa on arrival to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Indonesia, Jordan, Maldives, Nepal, Seychelles, Tanzania, and Zanzibar, apart from countries within the GCC.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
CIA hopes cinematic videos will persuade Chinese to spy for U.S.
The CIA on Thursday released two social media videos inviting disillusioned Chinese officials to spy for the United States, seeking to take advantage of government corruption and repression in China. The cinematic, Mandarin-language videos released across multiple platforms resemble recruiting videos the agency has produced in the past few years aimed at encouraging Russians to share secrets with the U.S. Officials say the Russian-language videos have proved successful. Director John Ratcliffe has vowed to make China a top priority for the CIA's intelligence gathering, and he cited the videos as the latest example of that effort. 'Today, the CIA released Mandarin-language videos aimed at recruiting Chinese officials to steal secrets,' Ratcliffe said in a statement. 'No adversary in the history of our Nation has presented a more formidable challenge or capable strategic competitor than the Chinese Communist Party,' he said, adding: 'Our Agency must continue responding to this threat with urgency, creativity, and grit, and these videos are just one of the ways we are doing this.' The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday, a national holiday in China. Six months ago, the CIA released a text-only video in Mandarin explaining how to safely reach out to the CIA using the 'dark web,' a part of the internet accessible only with specialized software. The video was viewed 900,000 times, agency officials said. Although it is difficult to speak out because of China's authoritarian government, more Chinese are volunteering to share information via the dark web, a CIA official said. 'If it wasn't working, we wouldn't be making more videos,' the official said. 'We want Chinese citizens to know we always have an open door to them.' The CIA official said the agency is interested in a wide variety of information from China beyond traditional espionage, including advanced science, military and cyber technology, as well as data and foreign policy secrets. In one of the videos, a young man portrayed as a junior Chinese Communist Party official dutifully accompanies a more senior official who is trying on new suits and shopping for an expensive watch. The junior official narrates the video, sharing his frustration with the wealth gap between the party elite and the rest of Chinese society. 'We dedicate a lifetime, but they are the ones to benefit,' he says. 'We're taught that by following the rules and working hard, we can change our lives for the better. But why is that only a few people can enjoy that kind of happiness?' The junior official laments that the party promised prosperity for all, 'but the gains of our collective efforts are indulged by a select few,' and he eventually concludes he 'must forge my own path.' As dramatic music builds, he walks out of his modest apartment. 'The hardest part of a journey is the first step. It's time I start working toward my own dreams,' he says as he taps a link on his phone to secretly contact the CIA. In a second video, a well-dressed senior party official attends a formal dinner while sensing his colleagues are maneuvering against him. He worries that he could share the fate of his comrades who have been ousted from power. 'It is easy to become a memory,' the official says. 'And much too commonplace to just disappear.' He says he cannot allow his family's fate to rest in the hands of party officials and predicts that 'the whispers will grow louder.' The official opts for 'another way' for the sake of his family and contacts the CIA over a secure portal on his phone. 'No matter what my fate will bring, my family will know a good life,' he says. In February, Russia responded to the CIA's Russian-language recruitment videos with its own in an attempt to persuade American 'patriots' to share secrets with Russian spy services. U.S. officials have warned that Chinese and Russian intelligence officials hope to take advantage of the Trump administration's reductions in the federal workforce. Their hope is to recruit employees of the CIA and other U.S. spy agencies who were recently offered buyouts to spy for Beijing and Moscow. This article was originally published on
South China Morning Post
01-04-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Beijing vows retaliation over new round of US sanctions on officials in Hong Kong
Beijing has vowed to retaliate against the United States for sanctioning six officials, including Hong Kong's justice secretary and outgoing police chief, over the 'transnational repression' of opposition activists under national security legislation Advertisement The Hong Kong government and China's foreign affairs arm in the city on Tuesday both condemned the latest round of US sanctions, while defending Hong Kong's use of national security legislation to pursue 19 activists overseas, including an American citizen and another four of the country's residents. 'The so-called 'sanctions' from the US have once again exposed its ulterior motive to damage Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, as well as suppress China's development,' a spokesman for the Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong said. 'China must take effective measures to resolutely retaliate.' The US earlier announced its second round of sanctions against officials in Hong Kong, five years after Washington imposed economic sanctions on 11 local and mainland Chinese officials over the Beijing-imposed national security law. Advertisement The latest officials to be sanctioned include Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok and Police Commissioner Raymond Siu Chak-yee, who is expected to retire after his term expires on Tuesday.
South China Morning Post
01-04-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Beijing vows retaliation over second round of US sanctions on Hong Kong officials
Central and local authorities have slammed the United States for sanctioning Hong Kong's justice secretary, outgoing police chief and four other officials over 'transnational repression' under the city's national security legislation , with Beijing vowing to retaliate. Advertisement The Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong and the city government on Tuesday condemned the latest round of US sanctions, while defending Hong Kong's use of its national security legislation to pursue 19 activists overseas, including an American citizen and another four of the country's residents. 'The so-called 'sanctions' from the US have once again exposed its ulterior motive to damage Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, as well as suppress China's development,' a spokesman for the country's foreign affairs arm in Hong Kong said. 'China must take effective measures to resolutely retaliate.' The US earlier announced its second round of sanctions against officials in Hong Kong, five years after Washington imposed economic sanctions on 11 local and mainland Chinese officials over the Beijing-imposed national security law. Advertisement The latest officials to be sanctioned include Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok and Police Commissioner Raymond Siu Chak-yee, who is expected to retire after his term expires on Tuesday.
