Published: June 4, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Oman Travel Advisory and Oman Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Muscat:
Jamiat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair Area (Shatti Al-Qurum), Muscat
Mailing address: PO Box 202, Medinat Al Sultan Qaboos 115
Tel: +968-2464-3400
Hours of Operation: 0800-1700, Sunday to Thursday. Routine American Citizens Services are available by appointment every Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
Oman has an active OSAC Country Chapter. Contact OSAC’s Middle East & North Africa team with any questions.
Oman Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication that travelers should exercise increased caution in Oman due to terrorism. Do not travel to the Yemen border area due to terrorism and armed conflict.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Muscat as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Oman.
While violent crime remains rare, non-violent property crime rates throughout Oman are comparable to rates in U.S. metropolitan areas. In general, crime in Oman is limited to crimes of opportunity and petty theft. High-value items that can be easily transported remain the most commonly stolen items.
Violent crimes, including assaults, rapes, and murder, are rare. There are other reports in Omani media outlets of occasional violent crimes; the victims and alleged suspects usually know each other. Such incidents do not demonstrate a pattern of targeting U.S. citizens or other Western interests.
Although Oman is a relatively safe environment, exercise personal security while traveling alone at night.
There have been isolated residential break-ins throughout Muscat. These do not appear to be part of larger organized criminality. Criminals target homes due to the opportunity the house poses.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Oman.
Kidnapping is not a major threat in Oman.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Muscat as being a MEDIUM-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Oman, indicating that terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist.
Oman is an important regional counterterrorism partner and works actively to prevent terrorists from conducting attacks within the country, using it as a safe haven, or using it as a transit point for weapons and materiel. There are no domestic terrorist groups known to operate in Oman.
On July 15, 2024, three gunmen opened fire on worshippers at a religious event taking place at a Shi’ite mosque in the Wadi Al Kabir district of Oman's capital, Muscat, resulting in numerous casualties. The attack was the first attack ever claimed by ISIS in Oman where the group does not maintain an organized presence.
The Department of State remains concerned about the possibility of terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the region by known terrorist groups or “lone wolf” attacks by individuals sympathetic to terrorist causes. Treat mail or packages from unfamiliar sources with suspicion. Leave unusual mail or packages unopened and report them to local authorities.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Muscat as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Oman. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
The Sultanate of Oman is a hereditary monarchy, and the sultan has sole authority to enact laws through royal decree. Oman’s bicameral parliament is composed of the Majlis al-Dawla (upper house or State Council), whose 85 members are appointed by the sultan, and the elected 86-member Majlis al-Shura (lower house or Consultative Council). Organized political parties are prohibited in Oman.
Protests & Demonstrations
Spontaneous and/or planned public demonstrations can take place in response to world events or local developments. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful have the potential to escalate into violence. Those in Oman should remain attuned to available English and/or Arabic-language media outlets and social media to avoid public demonstrations. Since October 2023, Oman has experienced regular peaceful protests in Muscat over the Israel-Hamas Conflict and occasional peaceful protests and marches throughout the country. The police closely monitor these events.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Instances of anti-U.S. or anti-Western sentiment in Oman are rare, though observed at protests since October 7.
Law Enforcement
The emergency line in Oman is 9999. For local first responders, refer to the Embassy’s Emergency Assistance page.
The Royal Office, Royal Oman Police (ROP), Internal Security Service, and Ministry of Defense comprise the security apparatus. The Royal Office is responsible for matters of foreign intelligence and security. The ROP, which includes Immigration, Customs, and the Coast Guard, performs regular police duties as well as many administrative functions like a Ministry of Interior in other countries. An inspector general serves as the head of the ROP, which is a ministerial-level position that reports directly to the sultan. An official with ministerial-level rank heads the Internal Security Service, which investigates matters related to domestic security. Sultan Haitham’s brother – His Highness Shihab bin Tarik Al Said – serves as deputy prime minister for defense affairs, although the sultan remains the supreme commander of the armed forces. The sultan, as well as the senior civilian and military authorities who report to him, maintained effective control over the security forces.
Police Response
The ROP is a capable and well-equipped police force. It rarely provides the U.S. Embassy specific details regarding local criminal or investigative matters, unless they relate directly to the U.S. Embassy.
While some countries will automatically notify the Consular section of the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested, that may not always be the case in Oman. Anyone arrested may have limited opportunities to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance; do not consider it an automatic process. To ensure that the U.S. Government is aware of your arrest or detention, request that Omani police and prison officials notify the U.S. Embassy immediately after arrest or detention. For Consular assistance in Oman, contact +968 2464-3400 or ConsularMuscat@state.gov.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Oman, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Oman.
The law provides criminal penalties for official corruption, and the government generally implements these laws effectively. There have been reports of government corruption, including government procurement offices and state-owned enterprises. Political and social favoritism are widespread in public and private institutions. The law prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention. The government generally observes these requirements. Persons arrested or detained are entitled to challenge the legal basis of their detention in court.
Cybersecurity
Cybercrime is on the rise due to common scams requesting money upfront for promised services or chances to obtain more money with a down payment. There have also been reports of ATM/credit card fraud. Additionally, the Omani security services have reported an increase in WhatsApp message scams that attempt to blackmail the recipient.
Import/Export Restrictions
Any items construed as intelligence-gathering equipment, military gear, or electronics that are not off-the-shelf commercial items run the risk of confiscation. In all reported cases, the items were eventually released to their owners. Satellite phones are permitted but may cause difficulty with authorities at airport. Drones are illegal.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
