The proximity of Oman makes it a popular driving destination for both Emiratis and expatriates in the UAE.
The southern city of Salalah is a favourite destination for Gulf nationals to escape the summer heat on a “Khareef” holiday, as it is known for its mild temperatures and lush green landscapes.
According to official statistics, Salalah attracts about 630,000 visitors on average every summer, and UAE visitors form the majority of all people holidaying in the southern coastal resort.
> Read more: Emirati mother and son and Saudi woman killed in Oman horror crash
About 35 per cent of them are from the UAE, 30 per cent are domestic tourists, 25 per cent are from the other GCC states and 10 per cent from elsewhere.
Short flights are possible but many opt to go by road. The stretch from Muscat to Salalah is about 1,100km long and about 40 per cent of it is single carriageway.
Police statistics show that the stretch to Salalah kills an average of 105 people every year - about a quarter of all road deaths in the Sultanate. More deaths are recorded in the summer, due to it being peak holiday season.
Road traffic experts say a combination of carelessness and road conditions contribute to accidents on the Muscat-Salalah road.
“Despite the warnings of the need to drive carefully, drivers still travel too fast. The deaths on this road can be avoided if people abide by the traffic rules,” Shamis Al Nabhani, a retired police officer formerly in charge of road traffic in the southern region of Oman told The National.
“However, the road conditions also need attention. Single carriageways must be expanded to dual carriageways. Most of the accidents occur due to overtaking on single roads. When it rains, roads become flooded. Better drainage must be built to drain away water in rainy seasons. Clear road signs are also needed to reduce fatalities.”
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Citizenship-by-investment programmes
United Kingdom
The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).
All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.
The Caribbean
Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport.
Portugal
The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.
“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.
Greece
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.
Spain
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.
Cyprus
Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.
Malta
The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.
The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.
Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.
Egypt
A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.
Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties
