The government of Oman has announced a new requirement for student visa applicants from 11 specific countries. According to information published on the country's official immigration website, citizens of these countries must submit an original medical certificate alongside other documents when applying for a student visa. This requirement aims to ensure that prospective students from these nations undergo necessary health checks before their applications can be considered complete.
The 11 countries affected by this new requirement are Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Syria. These countries span four regions: South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa. Several of these countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, are among the largest contributors of students and workers across Gulf Cooperation Council nations.
The medical certificate requirement means that prospective students from these countries must secure the necessary health documentation before their applications can be considered complete. Applicants must submit both an original medical certificate and a photocopy of it as part of their student visa documentation. This additional step may cause some delay for applicants, who are advised to contact their nearest Omani embassy or consult Oman's official immigration channels for precise guidance before submitting their applications.
The presence of Syria, Sudan, and Ethiopia on the list is notable, given that these countries have seen considerable displacement and migration in recent years. The requirement does not affect all Oman-bound students, only those holding one of the 11 listed nationalities. No further detail on the specific medical tests or certifying bodies required was provided in the published information.
Prospective students from the listed countries are encouraged to take the necessary steps to obtain the required medical certificate before applying for a student visa. They are advised to contact the nearest Omani embassy or consult Oman's official immigration channels for precise guidance on the specific medical tests and certifying bodies required.
This new requirement may impact the number of student visa applications from these countries, as prospective students may need to undergo additional health checks before their applications can be considered complete. However, the Omani government has not provided any information on how this requirement will affect the processing time for student visa applications.
The announcement was made on October 5, 2026, and was published on Oman's official immigration website. The requirement is expected to come into effect immediately, and prospective students from the listed countries are advised to take note of this new requirement when applying for a student visa to study in Oman.
Key points
- Oman requires student visa applicants from 11 countries to submit a medical certificate as part of their application.
- The 11 countries affected are Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Syria.
- Prospective students from these countries are advised to contact their nearest Omani embassy or consult Oman's official immigration channels for precise guidance on the specific medical tests and certifying bodies required.
