The Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tarik, has issued Royal Decree 3/2026 ratifying a bilateral agreement with Spain that exempts holders of diplomatic, special and service passports from visa requirements. The pact, signed in Madrid on 5 November 2025, entered into force upon its publication in Oman’s Official Gazette on 4 January 2026.
For Spanish and Omani officials, the deal removes the need to obtain multiple-entry Schengen or Omani visas for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The exemption is expected to streamline high-level visits connected to energy, defence and logistics projects—Spain’s Navantia is bidding on naval-fleet upgrades in Muscat, while Omani sovereign investors are exploring stakes in Spanish hydrogen corridors.
Although the measure targets a limited cohort of passport holders, it sends a broader signal of deepening Spain-Gulf ties. Spain already enjoys similar reciprocal arrangements with the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait. Mobility advisers note that corporate executives travelling on ordinary passports remain subject to standard visa rules; however, smoother government-to-government engagement often accelerates commercial permitting and project approvals that benefit private firms.
![Spain and Oman ratify mutual visa-free travel for diplomatic and service passports]()
For travellers who still need visas—namely ordinary‐passport holders—VisaHQ can simplify the paperwork. The company’s portal offers step-by-step guidance, document checks and courier options for both Spain-bound and Oman-bound applicants; full details are available at https://www.visahq.com/spain/.
Spanish companies with staff on “pasaporte oficial” status—such as senior Instituto Cervantes or AECID personnel—should update internal travel-policy matrices to reflect the waiver and remove redundant budget lines for Omani visa fees.
The Foreign Ministry in Madrid is expected to issue an instructive Circular to embassies this week, clarifying entry procedures at Muscat and Seville airports and reminding officials that passports must have six months’ validity on arrival.
For Spanish and Omani officials, the deal removes the need to obtain multiple-entry Schengen or Omani visas for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The exemption is expected to streamline high-level visits connected to energy, defence and logistics projects—Spain’s Navantia is bidding on naval-fleet upgrades in Muscat, while Omani sovereign investors are exploring stakes in Spanish hydrogen corridors.
Although the measure targets a limited cohort of passport holders, it sends a broader signal of deepening Spain-Gulf ties. Spain already enjoys similar reciprocal arrangements with the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait. Mobility advisers note that corporate executives travelling on ordinary passports remain subject to standard visa rules; however, smoother government-to-government engagement often accelerates commercial permitting and project approvals that benefit private firms.
For travellers who still need visas—namely ordinary‐passport holders—VisaHQ can simplify the paperwork. The company’s portal offers step-by-step guidance, document checks and courier options for both Spain-bound and Oman-bound applicants; full details are available at https://www.visahq.com/spain/.
Spanish companies with staff on “pasaporte oficial” status—such as senior Instituto Cervantes or AECID personnel—should update internal travel-policy matrices to reflect the waiver and remove redundant budget lines for Omani visa fees.
The Foreign Ministry in Madrid is expected to issue an instructive Circular to embassies this week, clarifying entry procedures at Muscat and Seville airports and reminding officials that passports must have six months’ validity on arrival.
