Bandi Sanjay Kumar announces Muscat route for Gulf Indians
KARIMNAGAR: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Monday said Indian nationals in Gulf countries need not worry amid the Israel-Iran conflict, as the Centre has enabled their return through Muscat in Oman.
He said efforts by the Union government had yielded results, allowing Indians in Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to enter Oman by road and travel onward to India. The Indian Embassy in Muscat has issued a statement in this regard, he added.
Road travel via Oman mandatory with valid visa
Passengers travelling from Dubai to Muscat airport must cover about 450 km by road. Those coming from other Gulf countries may need to travel nearly 1,000 km to reach Muscat.
Indian nationals must obtain a visit or tourist visa before entering Oman. They should apply for an e-visa through authorised travel agents on the Royal Oman Police website.
Indian passport holders with valid visas or residence permits for the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan or Schengen countries are eligible for visa-on-arrival in Oman. They can enter the country for up to 14 days without prior visa if they have a return ticket, hotel booking and health insurance.
Indian citizens residing in Gulf Cooperation Council countries — Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — with valid resident cards are also eligible for visa-on-arrival.
Passports must be valid for at least six months at the time of visa application. Those seeking further details may contact the Indian Embassy in Oman, the minister said.
Medchal employee stranded after flights cancelled
MEDCHAL RURAL: A private employee from Medchal was stranded in Dubai after flights were cancelled due to the conflict.
Kiran Kumar, branch manager at IIFL Gold and a resident of Pudur village, had travelled to Dubai on May 26 as part of a company tour. He visited Dubai and Abu Dhabi during the trip.
He was scheduled to return on Sunday night, but flight cancellations left him stranded. Kumar informed his family on Sunday morning that he was safe and staying at a hotel in Dubai.
About 800 IIFL employees from Telangana had travelled to Dubai for the tour. They were scheduled to return on Monday but are currently staying safely at hotels due to flight cancellations.
