Oman Country Code (+968): No Area Codes, Carriers & VoIP Restrictions (2026)
Complete guide to Oman country code +968. No area codes needed, mobile carrier prefixes (Omantel, Ooredoo, Vodafone), WhatsApp calling status, troubleshooting tips, and what calls to Oman cost.
Oman Country Code (+968): Complete Guide
Quick Answer
The Oman country code is +968. To call Oman, dial your exit code (011 from the US, 00 from most other countries, or + on a mobile), then 968, then the 8-digit number. Oman has no area codes: landlines start with 2, mobiles start with 7 or 9.
This guide covers how to dial correctly, why Oman has no area codes, the prefixes used by Omantel, Ooredoo and Vodafone, the current state of WhatsApp calling, emergency numbers, common dialing mistakes, and what calls to Oman cost.
How to Dial Oman from Abroad
International Dialing Format
[Exit Code] + 968 + 8-digit phone numberStep 1: Dial Your Country's Exit Code
- Most countries: 00
- From USA/Canada: 011
- From mobile phones: + (plus sign) - works worldwide
Step 2: Dial "968" (Oman Country Code)
After your exit code, always dial 968 for Oman
Step 3: Dial the 8-Digit Phone Number Directly
Oman does not use area codes. Simply dial the full 8-digit number directly after +968. There is no leading "0" to drop.
π Example: Calling a Muscat Landline
πΊπΈ From USA:
011 + 968 + 24XX XXXXUS exit code (011) + Oman code (968) + 8-digit number
π± From Any Mobile:
+968 + 24XX XXXXUse + instead of exit code (works everywhere)
π Example: Calling an Oman Mobile
πΊπΈ From USA:
011 + 968 + 9XXX XXXXNo area code needed - just the 8-digit mobile number
π± From Any Mobile:
+968 + 9XXX XXXXMobile numbers start with 7 or 9, always 8 digits
Oman Number Prefixes (No Area Codes)
Important: Unlike most countries, Oman does not use area codes. All phone numbers in Oman are 8 digits and are dialed directly after the country code +968. The first two digits indicate the type of number and, for landlines, the general region:
| Prefix | Type | Region / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Landline | Newer fixed lines from Omantel, Ooredoo and Awasr (not tied to one region) |
| 23 | Landline | Dhofar (Salalah), Al Wusta |
| 24 | Landline | Muscat |
| 25 | Landline | Ad Dakhiliyah (Nizwa), Ash Sharqiyah (Sur, Ibra), Ad Dhahirah |
| 26 | Landline | Al Batinah (Sohar), Musandam |
| 7X | Mobile | Omantel (71, 72), Vodafone (76, 77), Ooredoo (78, 79) |
| 9X | Mobile | Omantel (90-93, 98, 99), Ooredoo (94-97) |
Mobile Numbers in Oman
π± Oman Mobile Number Format
Mobile numbers in Oman are always 8 digits, starting with either 7 or 9. Both ranges are shared between operators, so the first digit alone does not tell you the network. There is no leading zero and no area code.
+968 [7X or 9X] XXX XXX (8 digits total)Oman Mobile Carriers & Prefixes
Oman has three mobile network operators: Omantel, Ooredoo, and Vodafone, which launched in 2022 as the third network. Each holds blocks in both the 7 and 9 ranges (original allocations shown below):
| Carrier | Mobile Prefixes | Market Share | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omantel (Oman Telecom) | 71, 72, 90, 91, 92, 93, 98, 99 | Largest | 4G/5G |
| Ooredoo Oman | 78, 79, 94, 95, 96, 97 | Second | 4G/5G |
| Vodafone Oman | 76, 77 | ~17% (2026) | 4G/5G |
Note: Omantel is the legacy state-owned carrier and the largest network. Ooredoo (formerly Nawras) is second, and Vodafone reached about 1.5 million subscribers in 2026. Oman has had mobile number portability since 2006, and a new central portability system went live in late 2025, so a prefix does not guarantee the current carrier.
Special Numbers in Oman
| Number | Service | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 9999 | Emergency: police, ambulance, fire | The national emergency number (Royal Oman Police) |
| 999 | Civil Defence / Fire | Listed as a Civil Defence line; use 9999 if unsure |
| 1442 | Water Emergency | Water supply faults |
| 1234 | Omantel Customer Service | Domestic only |
| 800X XXXX | Toll-Free Numbers | 8 digits; usually cannot be dialed from outside Oman |
| 900-XXXXX | Premium Rate | Higher per-minute charges; domestic only |
Best Times to Call Oman
π Time Zone: Gulf Standard Time (GST, UTC+4)
Oman uses Gulf Standard Time (UTC+4) year-round. Oman does not observe daylight saving time, making time calculations consistent throughout the year. Also note that the Omani work week is Sunday to Thursday, with Friday and Saturday being the weekend.
πΊπΈ From USA (East Coast)
Oman is 8-9 hours ahead. When it is 9:00 AM in New York, it is 5:00-6:00 PM in Muscat. Best window: call between 7:00-10:00 AM EST to reach Oman during afternoon business hours.
πΊπΈ From USA (West Coast)
Oman is 11-12 hours ahead. When it is 9:00 AM in Los Angeles, it is 8:00-9:00 PM in Muscat. Best window: call between 5:00-8:00 AM PST to reach Oman during business hours.
π¬π§ From UK
Oman is 3-4 hours ahead of GMT/BST. When it is 12:00 PM in London, it is 3:00-4:00 PM in Muscat. Convenient overlap during working hours.
Best Calling Window
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM GST for personal calls. Business hours: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Sunday-Thursday (many businesses close during afternoon heat).
Country Information
Troubleshooting: Common Problems When Calling Oman
1. Trying to use an area code that doesn't exist
Cause: Many callers expect Oman to have area codes like other countries. Some try to separate the number into an area code + local number.
Fix: Oman has no area codes. Simply dial +968 followed by all 8 digits of the phone number. The first two digits (like 24 for Muscat landlines) are part of the number itself, not a separable area code.
2. VoIP and WhatsApp voice/video calls are blocked or poor quality
Cause: Oman restricted app-based calling for years. Some services (such as Zoom and some business apps) were allowed from 2020, and since December 2024 users report WhatsApp voice and video calls working without a VPN. The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has not announced a formal change, so quality and availability can still vary.
Fix: If an app call to Oman fails, place a regular phone call with BubblyPhone ($0.30/min to landlines, $0.30-0.46/min to mobiles). The person in Oman receives an ordinary call on their phone number, so app restrictions don't apply. WhatsApp text messages work either way.
3. Calling on Friday or Saturday and no one answers
Cause: Oman's weekend is Friday and Saturday, not Saturday and Sunday. Businesses are closed.
Fix: Call during the Omani work week: Sunday through Thursday. Business hours are typically 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM GST at many private businesses. Government offices typically close around 2:30 PM.
4. Wrong number of digits
Cause: Oman phone numbers are exactly 8 digits. Some people add extra digits or omit digits when copying from online directories.
Fix: Count the digits after +968. You should have exactly 8 digits. Landlines start with 2X, mobiles start with 7X or 9X. If you have more or fewer than 8 digits, the number is incorrect.
Cheapest Ways to Call Oman
1. BubblyPhone
Rate: $0.30/min to landlines, $0.30-0.46/min to mobiles (as of October 2026). No connection fee; billed per started minute.
Best For: Calling any Oman number (business, landline, mobile)
- βNo subscription - pay only for minutes used
- βWorks from browser on any device (no app needed)
- βNo Google account or US number needed
- βRings their regular phone number, so app-call restrictions don't apply
2. WhatsApp, Telegram
Rate: FREE
Best For: Calling friends and family who have the app
- βFree text messages work reliably
- βCalls have worked since late 2024, but with no official change they can be degraded
- βBoth parties need the app installed
- βCannot call landlines or businesses
β οΈ Before you call: International calls on a regular phone plan are often billed at high pay-per-minute rates. Check your carrier's rate to Oman first. From a US account, Google Voice charges $0.21/min to Oman landlines and $0.25/min to mobiles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Oman country code?
The Oman country code is +968. You must dial this code before any Oman phone number when calling from abroad.
How do I call Oman from my mobile phone?
From any mobile phone worldwide, dial: +968 (8-digit number). The + symbol replaces your country's exit code. Oman has no area codes, so you dial all 8 digits directly.
What's the cheapest way to call Oman?
If the person has WhatsApp, a WhatsApp call is free and has generally worked in Oman since late 2024. To call a regular phone number, Google Voice is the cheapest per minute ($0.21/min to landlines, $0.25/min to mobiles), but it needs a US Google Voice account. BubblyPhone works from any browser without an app, Google account or US number: $0.30/min to landlines and $0.30-0.46/min to mobiles (as of October 2026).
What time zone is Oman in?
Oman uses Gulf Standard Time (GST, UTC+4) year-round with no daylight saving time. The work week runs Sunday through Thursday, with Friday and Saturday being the weekend.
Is WhatsApp calling blocked in Oman?
Not anymore, in practice. Since December 2024 users in Oman report WhatsApp voice and video calls working without a VPN, after years of restrictions. The TRA has said it does not directly ban apps but has not announced a formal change, so call quality can vary. If a WhatsApp call fails, a regular phone call through a service like BubblyPhone reaches their normal phone number.
Does Oman have area codes?
No. Oman does not use area codes. All phone numbers are 8 digits, dialed directly after the +968 country code. The first two digits indicate the number type: 2X for landlines (with X indicating the region) and 7X or 9X for mobiles, which are shared between Omantel, Ooredoo and Vodafone.
What is the emergency number in Oman?
The emergency number in Oman is 9999, for police, ambulance and fire. The Royal Oman Police has said 9999, not 112, is the number to use. Emergency numbers can only be dialed from within Oman.
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