Musandam border crossing in 2026 — the Al Dara border, fees, times, procedure
The full Musandam border crossing procedure in 2026. The Al Dara border post, the fees, the documents, the fastest times to cross, the car insurance, and the return procedure. Built from the 1,800+ guest border crossings we handled in 2025.
The full border procedure, step by step
1. Buy Oman vehicle insurance
UAE car insurance does not cover Oman. Stop at the RAK-side insurance counter 200 m before the UAE exit booth. 1-day policy: 100 AED. 7-day policy: 175 AED. Pay cash, keep the receipt.
2. Cross the UAE exit
The UAE exit is automated for Salik-tagged cars. Drive up to the boom gate, scan the Mulkiya, pay 35 AED per person at the cashier booth, and drive through. The whole process is 5–8 minutes on a quiet day, 20–30 minutes on a Friday afternoon.
3. Cross no-man's-land
The no-man's-land between the UAE and Oman is 800 m of empty road. There is a checkpoint halfway where the Omani police will wave you through. Keep your passport, UAE residence visa, and 26B visa printout ready.
4. Get the Oman visa
If you have a 26B visa, the border officer will scan the visa at the entry booth — no further paperwork. If you are getting the visa on arrival, walk into the visa office, fill in the application form, pay 5 OMR (50 AED) per person, get the stamp, drive through.
5. Pass the customs booth
The customs booth is 200 m past the visa office. The officer will check the car insurance, scan the passport, and wave you through. The whole customs process is 2–3 minutes.
6. Drive the mountain road to Khasab
The 90-minute drive from the border to Khasab is the scenic part. The road follows a graded mountain track through Wadi Khasab. Three pull-offs worth stopping at: the viewpoint 15 minutes after the border, the Wadi Khasab pull-off 40 minutes in, and the Lulu Hypermarket roundabout in Khasab town.
The full fee breakdown for 2 people, 1 day
| Item | Fee | Total (2 people) |
|---|---|---|
| Oman visa (26B or on arrival) | 50 AED / person | 100 AED |
| UAE exit fee | 35 AED / person | 70 AED |
| Oman car insurance (1-day) | 100 AED / car | 100 AED |
| Total | 270 AED |
Frequently asked questions
What is the name of the Musandam border?
The Al Dara border (also called Al Wajajah). It is on the E18 between Ras Al Khaimah and Khasab. The border is open 24/7 for cars.
What is the fee for the Musandam border?
UAE exit: 35 AED per person. Oman visa: 50 AED per person (26B visa) or 50 AED (visa on arrival). Oman insurance: 100 AED per car (1-day) or 175 AED (7-day). Total for 2 people, 1 day: about 370 AED.
What is the fastest time to cross the Musandam border?
Before 09:00 on a weekday, the whole process takes 10–15 minutes. On Friday afternoon (15:00 to 19:00), the border can take 60–90 minutes. The fastest 30 days of the year are the first week of June and the second week of September.
Do I need a 4x4 to cross the Musandam border?
No. The road from the border to Khasab is fully paved and a 2WD saloon car is fine in any season. The only road that needs a 4x4 in Musandam is the track to Jebel Harim (mountain safari).