50 Comments

  1. Hi Alex,
    thanks a million for your very interesting and useful blog! We hope to be able to travel to Oman in January (if Covid lets us in;-). We’ll first fly from Europe to Dubai, and hope to find a rental company which allows us to drive their cars to Oman. May I ask you a couple of questions as you seem to know A LOT about UAE/Oman: among the 3 border crossing points you mention, do you know if they are all ok for European tourists with a UAE-Dubai-rental car or would you recommend one of them? Do you know if it is possible to get the Oman-visa at the border crossing points too (and not at the airport since we would enter the country by car), or would you advise to apply for it online? I read that a visa for up to 10 or 14 days is free of charge for EU citizens at the Mascate airport, but was not able to figure out if the same conditions apply for land crossing points. THANKS A LOT IN ADVANCE for your help, and best regards! Anne (from Brittany, France, best place on Earth hahaha)

    1. Hi Anne, glad to be able to help.

      All 3 of the border crossings I mention in this article are fine for European tourists with a Dubai rental car.

      In terms of which of the three crossings to use, the Hatta – Al Wajajah crossing is the closest to Dubai and probably the most popular one to use.
      However, the drive from the Meyzad – Hafeet border to Muscat is more scenic and interesting. Personally, I’d use the Meyzad – Hafeet border, though any of those 3 are fine.

      If you’re a French/EU citizen, unless the Omani authorities decide to change the rules last minute (always a small possibility), you should be able to get a free visa on arrival at the border (applies to land borders and airports equally). You’ll either get 10 or 14 days — I can’t work out whether there’s a rule on who gets 10 and who gets 14… but if you’re only planning to be there for 10 days or less, you’ll be fine either way 🙂

      You could apply for an e-visa in advance if you prefer, but it’s not technically necessary, and I don’t think it’s free. Personally, I think it’s fine to just get the free one at the border (though keep an eye on the news in the days running up to your trip, in case there are any changes to the rules). I’d also definitely bring a couple of printed passport photos with you. They have photo booths at the main border crossing points, but you can’t always rely on these to be working.

      You’ll need to show the immigration people QR codes confirming you are fully vaccinated against covid, and have received a negative PCR test result (taken no more than 72 hours before arrival in Oman).

      Before entering Oman, you also need to complete a pre-registration form at the eMushrif website and upload your vaccine certification and PCR test result.

      In terms of car hire, not all companies allow you to take their cars from UAE into Oman. The list of companies which allow it does change periodically, so you should call them up and check before paying for one. Bigger international companies like Avis and Hertz are more likely to say yes than small local ones, but definitely call them to check first!

      Enjoy your trip! Oman is awesome

      1. Hope you are good, and really appreciate for in-depth info, just wondering that if i have a bank mortgaged car on my name is it ok to travel to oman in the same car or shall i be requiring any sort of NOC from the Bank.

    2. Hi Anne

      We’re planning a trip to Oman in February 2022. We also want to rent a car in Dubai to cross the border to Oman. The car rental I normally use doesn’t allow to cross the border.
      Can you tell me the name of the car rental you used?

      @Alex: your detailed information about crossing the border is so useful to plan our trip. Thanks!

  2. Many thanks Alex for the blog which I found very useful for my recent road trip from Dubai to Jabal Al Akhdar in Oman. We used the Mezyad crossing as you suggested and it was really quick both ways. We left early around 5 am on 1 December, the beginning of the 4 day long weekend in UAE, expecting long queues at the border. But barring a pack of bikers, which marginally delayed the departure from the UAE side of the border, it was a very smooth exit. All counters were drive through (unless you don’t have an evisa for Oman in which case you will have to leave the car at the parking lot on the Oman side to walk to the visa office). There were 2 on UAE side, one to check and stamp the passports and the next one to validate. On the Oman side, you first drive to the counter where the vaccination records and pcr reports are checked. Then drive to the passport control counter where your evisa, passport, vehicle registration and drivers license are checked. It is best to obtain an evisa, otherwise you will need to drive to an adjoining visa office, apply and get one on the spot. On busy days, this can be delayed. Then drive to the vehicle inspection bay where you may be asked to open the boot and perhaps the bags as well for customs. It took us just below an hour from the beginning of the Mezyad border post on the UAE side to the end of the Oman side of the crossing.

    Returned today (4th December), through the same crossing. Took less than 5 minutes on the Oman side of the immigration (drive through) and another 20 minutes on the UAE side. We are a family of 4 so on the UAE side we were asked to park the car and go to the departure hall nearby where passport control formalities were completed in 5 minutes. Then we drove to the medical counter where our pcr and vaccine records were checked and finally car contents checked at the last stop. All in all very smooth exit and entry back to UAE.

    One point to note is that on the Oman side after the border crossing, there are no good cafes or restaurants. So best to stock up on food and drink.

    1. Each of the emirates has their own rules regarding testing for (re)entry. For example, Abu Dhabi has stricter rules than Dubai.
      But my understanding is that most (if not all) of the emirates currently require you to show proof of a negative PCR test, taken no more than 48 hours before travel.
      I’d recommend checking the health section of the official website for the emirate you will be returning to, to ensure you have the most up to date information. For Abu Dhabi, it’s https://visitabudhabi.ae/en/plan-your-trip/covid-safe-travel

  3. thanks a million Alex for all your hints!!
    Great to see the other message concerning border crossing Oman/UAE, too, very useful.
    Best regards from Brussels!

    Anne

  4. Hello Alex,
    This is Pratheep, I am planning to visit Muscat with my family, driving my car that is still under bank loan. Do we have to carry NOC from the bank to cross the border?
    Kindly advise
    Thanks
    Pratheep

    1. Hi Pratheep, I don’t have any personal experience with this I’m afraid.

      My understanding (from doing some online research) is that it depends on the terms of your mortgage with the bank. Some banks require NOCs, others don’t. Each bank will have its own rules, there’s no hard and fast rule that covers all, unfortunately. You could ask your bank and see what they say?

      Many people appear to have done the crossing without obtaining a NOC (even if they technically should’ve had one), with no issues. This might be a breach of the terms of your mortgage agreement with the bank (depending on what it says). I’m afraid I can’t advise whether it’s worth taking that risk, it’s up to you. I’m sorry that’s not a perfect answer.

    2. Planning to drive to oman after obtaining thr dubai/oman join visa at arrival DXB will be driving to buriami via hatta/AL wajajah border on a rental car. Do I need a NOC as well as an orange card ?

    3. Going to Oman with a mortgaged car is allowed as long as it belongs to you or your spouse. You don’t need any additional document apart from Registration card and and insurance that is valid in Oman.

      1. Hi Navin, thanks for the info. But how can we prove that the car belongs to me if it’s mortgaged, because on the mulkiya, the owner name will be the bank’s. Please advise. Thanks.

  5. Hi Hanne,
    Unfortunately, we ended up cancelling our trip to Oman in January because of a major incident in our family, but do hope to be able to go in March. So I can not give you any feedback about the car rental company and how it worked out the cross the Omani border. The company’s name is Dollar Car rental. They have several offices at the airport and downtown Dubai. You can check online for their deals.
    I might come back to you later in February, maybe you will be able to tell me how it worked out for you. We should be leaving on March 4th. Enjoy your trip !! Best regards, Anne

  6. I need to know the method for a US citizen who once visits Dubai, stays there for 30 days, drives to Oman and return back to Dubai getting a re entry for UAE for 30 days the same day.

  7. Hi Alex,

    Great article! Much appreciated.
    I have two specific questions:
    – If I do pcr in Dubai and will get to Oman and back within 72 hours, will it work on the bordeR?
    – I’ve seen some mentioning about “Oman exit permit”, is it required for a Oman-UAE crossing?

    Thanks,
    Aleh

  8. Hello Alex, excellent post, could not have been more helpful in helping me understand what is required to get into Oman from Dubai. My wife and I are planning a trip to Oman (Muscat) from Dubai this month and in mapping the route, I discovered a border crossing you did not mention – Khatmat Milaha. Do you have any experience with this one? If so, what should I look out for? I will be driving my sister’s car (not traveling with us).

  9. Hey Alex, thank you so much for the guide! This looks like it was a really cool trip. You’ve inspired me to go on a similar trip on the future. Keep up the fantastic work!

  10. Hello!
    If someone is driving in their own car with valid registration and insurance, do they need another insurance to enter oman? Is that optional ? How much can we expect for 3rd party insurance?
    Thanks
    Inayat

  11. Hi Alex,
    I’m planning to go to Salalah during the EID holidays. As it is going to be a loooong drive I’m planning to start at 2 AM from Dubai. My question is are insurance companies open at Al Mezyad border at this hour. I will probable reaching the border around 3.30 AM. Also is it possible to buy Omani sim card at the border crossing at this hour.
    Thank you.
    Regards
    Ramkrish

  12. July 12 I want to visit Oman with my family’s members 5
    We have full vaccinated as Sinofarm Pfizer.its ok for tour?
    Now need PCR?
    My own car models 2004;it’s ok?

  13. Good day Alex,
    Is it allowed to cross into North Oman from Dibba by car ?
    My understanding is you can only enter from RAK side as the border in Dibba is only for locals or if you have a Dhow cruise booking.
    Can you please advise,

  14. Very thankful for you to share all the things required to go from Dubai to Oman via road, I am leaving in Oman but I haven’t visited Dubai yet and I was planning to go but now I am clear that I will go from road and enjoy my trip thanks for sharing this information.

    1. Hi can you please tell me if I can use ky company car. What is the requirements that they will ask from the border. I need your advice. Please thank you.

  15. Hi, im planning a trip in October and would like to know if the border is open for driving with your own vehicle and do i need a special letter to produce at the border or just the normsl mulkiya etc. Also confirm the fees applicable/visas.

  16. Hi Alex,

    Great information! Here is a question: for renting a car in Dubai to drive to Oman, is there any reason/benefit to me bringing proof of insurance in my home country (Canada) from my insurance company here? I.e. is Omani auto insurance cheaper if I do?

    We will be renting and driving across in November this year…definitely planning on the route that lets us stop at Al Ain on the way to Muscat.

    Thank you,
    Shawn

  17. Thank you for the detailed information. My daughter and her family are visiting us (all US passport holders) and we were planning to meet them in Dubai and drive back to Muscat. I am getting mixed messages about the visa they need, and do not want to get stuck at the border crossing as they have a small baby. Any tips you can give regarding visa for borders to Muscat and return would really be appreciated. TIA

  18. Thanks for share very informative article. I am planning for trip in next month . I went to go on long drive , so i buy used car on installment in uae. so i can enjoy my trip . thanks fristchoicecars making my trip tension free.

  19. Al Wajajah border crossing between Dubai and Oman is the preferred choice and most popular route for driving from Dubai to Muscat. The Hatta border post is only 140km from Dubai. By car it takes less than two hours to reach from Dubai. Other is Musandam Oman where mostly go on a day trip.

  20. hello,
    just wanted a small help
    i am driving a company car and i was not allowed ro pass the HATTA border as they were asking for some Registration certificate
    how do i get the certificate and from where in UAE
    need your support on this

    1. I’m not really in a position to advise in relation to your RTA fines I’m afraid. I guess it depends what the fines were for. My advice would be to reach out to RTA and ask them as they’ll be in a much better position to answer your query.

  21. Rule changed for Company/Rent A Cars

    Hi Dears, I tried to go to Oman in my Company Car yesterday via Hatta Wajajah border.
    I have NOC and original Mulkhiya also. But the border police denied my travel saying that they now need RTA approval as well. Please note that you cannot drive even in your friend’s car as well although you have NOC form.

    RTA approval is mandatory now.

  22. Hi all.
    I am actually planning to go to Musadam for a ONE day trip, on 31st Dec. But my car registration expiry is on 4th Jan. Is it possible for me to go????
    I have read through many articles, i saw only information that it shouldn’t be expired.
    So, im confused if “going to expire” registration status will be accepted at border.

    1. I’m not sure on this one. I’d guess it should be fine as long as it’s currently still valid, but I can’t say for definite. Personally, I would check with the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) just to be sure. You now need to get a “tourism certificate” from them to drive vehicles registered in Dubai outside the UAE (see above section on this), so you might as well ask them about the expiry date at the same time.

  23. It’s really informative. Recently, I had to go to Oman for my business purposes. Basically, I am a content writer specializing in companies. Firstly, I visit companies and offer to enhance their online visibility. However, during my journey from Dubai to Oman, I received fines twice. Is it possible to receive fines from RTA multiple times? Because I am new here. If yes, is there any way to get a discount on them or can we delay these fines for 2 or 3 months?

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