Oman drops HIV certificate requirement for Filipino visa-free travelers

The move comes more than two months after the DFA pressed Oman to remove the requirement for Filipinos using the Gulf state’s 14-day visa-free entry program.

Filipino travelers visiting Oman under the country’s 14-day visa-free entry program will no longer be required to present a negative HIV medical certificate, ending a policy that drew objections from the Philippine government just months after it was introduced.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced that the Omani government has waived the requirement for all Filipinos availing of the 14-day visa-free entry privilege.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs informs the public that all Filipino travellers to Oman availing of the visa-free entry privilege for 14 days stay are no longer required to present a negative HIV medical certificate,” the DFA said.

The DFA thanked the Omani government for the waiver, saying the decision reflects the strong relations between the Philippines and Oman.

The move comes more than two months after the DFA said it had made “strong representations” to the Embassy of Oman in Manila, urging the removal of the requirement after concerns were raised by Filipino travelers. Omani authorities later informed the Philippine government that the policy was under review.

The issue drew public attention in April after reports emerged that some Filipinos traveling under Oman’s visa-free entry program were being required to present a negative HIV medical certificate before boarding their flights. The requirement had taken effect on March 1 and applied only to Filipinos using the 14-day visa-free entry scheme. It did not cover overseas Filipino workers or travelers holding work visas.

With the latest decision, Filipino tourists using the 14-day visa-free entry program can once again travel to Oman without presenting the previously required HIV medical certificate.

The DFA advisory, however, specifically refers to Filipinos availing of Oman’s 14-day visa-free entry privilege. It does not explicitly state whether the waiver also applies to other visa categories. Earlier, Omani authorities said the HIV certificate requirement covered only visa-free tourists and not travelers holding work visas.