Oman

Penalties for importing, trafficking, smuggling, and possessing drugs in Oman are severe — even residual amounts can mean lengthy jail and, in some cases, the death penalty — and the law makes no distinction between 'soft' and 'hard' drugs.

Death penalty possible for trafficking; lengthy jail and heavy fines for possession.

Cannabis is illegal in Oman in every form, and there is no small-amount exception — holding or using even a tiny quantity for personal use is a crime carrying one to three years in prison plus a fine, and Omani law draws no line between "soft" and "hard" drugs. The UK government warns that people have faced severe penalties over residual amounts. Do not assume CBD is a loophole: Omani law exempts only cannabis seeds treated so they cannot sprout, so CBD oils, gummies and hemp extracts are not carved out — and vapes of any kind are separately illegal to bring in or use.

Under the Law on Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Royal Decree 17/99, consolidated text published by Oman's Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs): possession, acquisition or cultivation of cannabis for personal use, and use itself, are punishable by one to three years' imprisonment and a fine of 500 to 3,000 Omani rials (Article 47); where the purpose is neither trafficking nor personal use, three to seven years and a fine of 1,000 to 5,000 rials. The court may instead order committal to a treatment facility for a person proven to be addicted, a discretion exercised after conviction. Possession, purchase, sale or transport with intent to traffic carries not less than ten years and a fine of 3,000 to 15,000 rials, rising to life imprisonment in aggravated cases. Import, export, production or manufacture for trafficking carries the death penalty or life imprisonment plus a fine of 25,000 to 50,000 rials. Refusing to give a sample for drug testing carries six months to three years and a fine of 100 to 1,000 rials. The law also lists deportation of a foreign national, with a bar on return, among court-ordered measures. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office states that penalties are severe even for residual amounts and that in some cases offenders could receive the death penalty.

Carry prescription medication in original packaging with your prescription, buy medicines only from licensed pharmacies, and check the Oman Ministry of Health rules before travel — some narcotics and medications legal elsewhere are controlled or prohibited in Oman.

Travelers may be detained or deported for undeclared or illegal medications.

Declare precious metals and local or foreign currency worth OMR 6,000 or more when arriving in or departing Oman (the US State Dept cites a reporting threshold over USD 20,000).

Failure to declare may result in confiscation or penalties.

Non-Muslim travelers may bring up to 2 litres of duty-free alcohol into Oman; Muslim travelers may not bring alcohol.

Detention and fines; authorities may require a blood test if alcohol use is suspected.

Alcohol may only be bought and consumed in licensed venues (hotels, restaurants, and bars) in Oman; drinking in public, being drunk in public, and drink-driving are illegal, and you may be arrested for possession of alcohol or driving under the influence.

Fine and possible imprisonment; airport transit passengers under the influence may be arrested.

It is illegal to import or use e-cigarettes or vape products in Oman.

Penalties apply under Omani law for import or use.

Visitors on a visit visa should hold an International Driving Permit to drive a rental car in Oman (rental companies often require one); drink-driving is a serious offence and any detected alcohol can mean a fine and imprisonment.

DUI: fine and possible imprisonment; traffic fines up to OMR 3,000 or up to 3 years.

It is illegal to fly drones without a valid licence or in restricted airspace in Oman, photographing some government and military sites is illegal, and you should not photograph people without permission.

Criminal penalties apply.

VPN and VoIP usage is restricted in Oman and could result in penalties.

Penalties apply under Omani law.

Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Oman (jail term of six months to three years), and cross-dressing is also illegal.

Jail term of 6 months to 3 years.

Oman has strict dress and behavior codes: cover the tops of arms and legs (below the knee) in public including malls; swimwear is only for tourist beaches/pools; during Ramadan, eating, drinking (even water), or smoking in public during daylight may be illegal.

Fines and jail for public-decency violations; rude gestures or arguments can bring arrest.

Swearing, making rude gestures (including while driving), and posting obscene or offensive content on social media are criminal offences in Oman.

Fines, imprisonment, or deportation.