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), VoIP restrictions, troubleshooting tips, and cheapest ways to call Oman.
Oman Country Code (+968): Complete Guide
Quick Answer
The Oman country code is +968. Whether you're calling from the United States, Europe, Asia, or anywhere else in the world, you'll need to dial +968 before the Oman phone number to connect.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about calling Oman: how to dial correctly, understanding that Oman has no area codes, mobile carrier prefixes, VoIP restrictions, special numbers, troubleshooting common problems, and the cheapest ways to make international calls to Oman.
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.
📞 Example: Calling a Muscat Landline
🇺🇸 From USA:
011 + 968 + 24XX XXXXUS exit code (011) + Oman code (968) + 8-digit number
📱 From Any Mobile:
+968 + 24XX XXXXUse + instead of exit code (works everywhere)
📞 Example: Calling an Oman Mobile
🇺🇸 From USA:
011 + 968 + 9XXX XXXXNo area code needed - just the 8-digit mobile number
📱 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 | Musandam Governorate |
| 23 | Landline | Dhofar (Salalah) |
| 24 | Landline | Muscat |
| 25 | Landline | Ad Dakhiliyah (Nizwa), Al Wusta |
| 26 | Landline | Al Batinah (Sohar), Al Buraimi |
| 27 | Landline | Ash Sharqiyah (Sur, Ibra) |
| 71-79 | Mobile | Ooredoo Oman mobile numbers |
| 91-99 | Mobile | Omantel mobile numbers |
Mobile Numbers in Oman
📱 Oman Mobile Number Format
Mobile numbers in Oman are always 8 digits, starting with either 7X (Ooredoo) or 9X (Omantel). There is no leading zero and no area code.
+968 [7X or 9X] XXX XXX (8 digits total)Oman Mobile Carriers & Prefixes
Oman has two mobile network operators. The first digit of the mobile number clearly identifies the carrier:
| Carrier | Mobile Prefixes | Market Share | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omantel (Oman Telecom) | 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 | ~58-62% | 4G/5G |
| Ooredoo Oman | 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 | ~38-42% | 4G/5G |
Note: Omantel is the legacy state-owned carrier and holds the majority market share. Ooredoo (formerly Nawras) is the challenger brand. Unlike many countries, Oman does not have extensive number portability, so the prefix reliably indicates the carrier.
Special Numbers in Oman
| Number | Service | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 9999 | Royal Oman Police (Emergency) | Primary emergency number |
| 9998 | Civil Defence & Ambulance | Medical emergencies and fire |
| 1111 | Directory Enquiries | Phone number lookup |
| 1234 | Omantel Customer Service | Domestic only |
| 800-XXXXX | Toll-Free Numbers | Cannot be dialed from outside Oman |
| 900-XXXXX | Premium Rate | Higher per-minute charges; domestic only |
Best Times to Call Oman
🕐 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.
🇺🇸 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.
🇺🇸 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.
🇬🇧 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's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has historically restricted VoIP services. WhatsApp calls, FaceTime, Skype, and other VoIP apps may be blocked or throttled within Oman.
Fix: If VoIP calls to Oman fail, use a traditional phone call via BubblyPhone at $0.04/min. BubblyPhone routes through standard telephone infrastructure, bypassing VoIP restrictions. WhatsApp text messages typically still work even when voice calls are blocked.
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. Many government offices close by 2:00 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
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2. WhatsApp, Telegram
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Best For: Text messaging (voice calls may be restricted in Oman)
- ✓Free text messages work reliably
- ✗Voice/video calls may be blocked or degraded in Oman
- ✗Both parties need the app installed
- ✗Cannot call landlines or businesses
⚠️ Warning: Using your regular phone carrier to call Oman can cost $1-5 per minute! Save up to 99% by using BubblyPhone instead.
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?
For calling any Oman number, BubblyPhone at $0.04/min is the cheapest option. Since VoIP apps like WhatsApp and Skype may have their voice calls restricted in Oman, BubblyPhone is the most reliable low-cost method.
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?
Oman has historically restricted VoIP calling services, including WhatsApp voice calls, FaceTime, and Skype. While text messaging on these apps generally works, voice and video calls may be blocked or have very poor quality. For reliable voice calls to Oman, use a traditional phone service like BubblyPhone which routes through the standard telephone network.
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), 7X for Ooredoo mobiles, and 9X for Omantel mobiles.
What is the emergency number in Oman?
The primary emergency number in Oman is 9999 (Royal Oman Police). For medical emergencies and fire, dial 9998 (Civil Defence & Ambulance). These numbers can only be dialed from within Oman.
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