Muscat: All citizens and residents of Oman travelling abroad during the holidays should check carefully on the safety and security of the country or countries they plan to visit.
Check documents
Before you travel you must make sure that you have the documents and funds you will need for your journey.
These include a passport, an identity card, a ticket, credit cards, cash or travellers' cheques, travel/health insurance, and medical certificates.
Check that your passport is valid for at least six months during your journey.
Check the confirmation of the ticket before traveling.
Some countries require visitors to show a return or onward ticket.
You should keep all important documents and important personal items with you, in a safe place.
It is highly recommended to keep a copy of your passport and identity card in case of loss. (Many travellers keep a soft copy in their smartphone.)
Cash
Many countries have restrictions on the total amount of cash a traveller can carry on entry or departure from their borders and require disclosure to customs if the total amount of cash carried is equal to or exceeds the limit imposed.
It is recommended to check before travelling the cash limits and customs procedures of the countries you intend to visit.
It is important to retain the receipts from banks or money changers for all foreign currencies you exchange at home or abroad during your journey.
Insurance
Many countries require visitors to have appropriate medical insurance with adequate cover for all the countries you plan to visit and for the whole period of your journey.
You should also consider taking out travel insurance to cover you against loss of luggage, delays, etc.
It is often possible to buy combined medical and travel insurance.
Vaccinations and health
Some countries require vaccination records, particularly if you have visited certain countries during a specified period before entry to their borders. You should check what vaccinations are required for the country you intend to visit. For more information on this, contact the Embassy or Consulate of the country you intend to visit.
Make sure you have with you the appropriate medical certificates to prove the validity of your vaccinations as required.
Be sure that you understand the health procedures that will apply to you during your journey, stay, and departure from the country or countries you plan to visit.
If you take regular medication, make sure you have enough supply to cover the whole period of your journey.
You should keep with you the prescription for the medicine, and you may be required to present a medical report to customs.
Immigration, hotels
Before you travel, confirm your reservation for the hotel or other accommodation. You may be required to show this confirmation on entry to the country you intend to visit.
Make sure that you carry your travel documents and money, and other essential personal items (e.g. medication) with you – do not pack them in your luggage.
Make sure that you arrive at the airport terminal at least 2 or 3 hours before the scheduled departure, depending on the destination.
Do not carry or check in any bags that do not belong to you. Never agree to carry any luggage from strangers.
Make sure you understand and follow all immigration laws and entry regulations for the country you are visiting.
Be acquainted with the laws, customs, and traditions prevailing in the country you intend to visit and follow them.
You must comply with the conditions of travel, particularly relating to safety and security.
Make sure you understand what you can and cannot carry in the hand luggage that you carry on board and what you must put in your hold luggage.
You must not carry any prohibited substances onto the aircraft in your hand luggage (e.g., liquids, fireworks, flammable materials, sharp objects).
There are also restrictions on what you can put in your hold luggage. You should note that some items containing lithium batteries (e.g. laptops) must not be placed in hold luggage.
Make sure you understand regulations and restrictions relating to the carrying of jewellery, money, food, live and stuffed animals and birds, antiques, works of art, etc.
If you are carrying larger or heavier items of luggage, check with your travel agent or airline before you arrive at the airport.
Most airlines will not accept any piece of luggage that weighs more than 32 kg.
You should generally exercise caution
Familiarise yourself with any particular risks to your safety and security in the country you are visiting.
For safety, avoid visiting suspicious places, and avoid being out late at night.
Deal only with recognised and officially registered tourism enterprises to avoid the risk of theft or deception.
Omani citizens should register their personal information and the address of their hotel or residence with the Embassy or Consulate of the Sultanate in the country they are visiting.
This will make sure that the Omani mission knows you are in the country and will make it easy to contact you in case of any emergency.
It is a good idea to make a note of the phone number, email, and address of the Omani mission in the country you are visiting.
In case of loss of any official documents (e.g. passport or ID card), such loss should be reported immediately both to the nearest police station and to the Sultanate’s mission in that country.
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