In a fresh advisory posted on 4 February, the Embassy of Italy in Muscat reiterated that the national VIS-IT platform will be offline from 18:00 CET on 12 February until 00:00 CET on 18 February, specifying local Oman times and clarifying that even already-booked slot holders will not be admitted for fingerprinting. The clarification is vital for Gulf-based expatriates who frequently use Muscat as a lower-volume, faster-turnaround consulate compared with Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
Oil-and-gas contractors and cruise-ship staff joining Mediterranean itineraries are urged to accelerate filings or risk missing rotation windows.
The embassy’s statement confirms that VFS Global in Muscat will also be closed for Italian submissions, though collection of passports already stamped will continue by appointment.
![Gulf expats alerted as Muscat embassy adds details on February visa freeze]()
Travel planners who need professional assistance can streamline the shifting requirements through VisaHQ, whose online portal (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) lets applicants verify current schedules, upload documents and arrange courier collection without leaving Oman. The platform can also help reroute files to alternative consulates, track processing times and flag insurance or residency gaps, minimising the chance of costly delays.
Applicants unable to wait may attempt to shift their files to Dubai, but will need to restart the process and pay fresh fees.
The embassy advises that applicants pre-load data and documents in Prenot@Mi to shorten the post-outage backlog, and reminds employers that Schengen visa medical insurance must cover a new travel period if dates change. Mobility managers should also check that Omani residence permits remain valid for at least three months beyond the rescheduled appointment, as required under Schengen rules.
Oil-and-gas contractors and cruise-ship staff joining Mediterranean itineraries are urged to accelerate filings or risk missing rotation windows.
The embassy’s statement confirms that VFS Global in Muscat will also be closed for Italian submissions, though collection of passports already stamped will continue by appointment.
Travel planners who need professional assistance can streamline the shifting requirements through VisaHQ, whose online portal (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) lets applicants verify current schedules, upload documents and arrange courier collection without leaving Oman. The platform can also help reroute files to alternative consulates, track processing times and flag insurance or residency gaps, minimising the chance of costly delays.
Applicants unable to wait may attempt to shift their files to Dubai, but will need to restart the process and pay fresh fees.
The embassy advises that applicants pre-load data and documents in Prenot@Mi to shorten the post-outage backlog, and reminds employers that Schengen visa medical insurance must cover a new travel period if dates change. Mobility managers should also check that Omani residence permits remain valid for at least three months beyond the rescheduled appointment, as required under Schengen rules.
