Bahraini kingdom to launch easier, faster entry visas next October

The Kingdom of Bahrain has announced plan to apply easier and faster entry visas as from October 1. Online instant visas will be obtainable prior to arrival to serve the benefit of citizens of more than 100 countries from all over the world. The new facilitations will reduce the time of entry visa issuance according to appraisal standards. This will place Bahrain on a leading position among countries in the region that introduced easier entry and transit visa procedures. This will positively contribute to boosting the national economy, make procedures easier for foreign businessmen to enter the Kingdom which boosts the tourism sector. The new e-visas will be issuable to holders of passports from 102 countries. Instant and online visas will be obtainable upon arrival for citizens of 66 countries. E-entry visas will be issuable to citizens of 36 countries. The e-visa requires prior application through the official website: www.evisa.gov.bh Simple steps should be followed which makes entry to the Kingdom a lot easier in order to establish business or for tourism purposes. Interested persons will be able to check the procedures and the list of countries whose citizens may apply through the new easier procedures on the above mentioned official website. Business and tourism entry visas will be issued valid for one month renewable for 3 months as from the beginning of next year (2015). There will also be multiple entry visas. The new facilitations were introduced during a Cabinet meeting last July by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Ministry also President of the Economic Development Board (EDB) who emphasized that economic reforms such as easy entry visas will help attract more foreign investments, pushes the economic development and creates more job opportunities. Shaikh Ahmed bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Assistant Undersecretary for National, Passports and Residence Affairs said that "These facilitations will provide businessmen the possibility of easier and faster travel to and from the Kingdom which will boost the tourism sector. There has been very close coordination between the various governmental bodies and the private sector throughout the stage of studying these facilitations in order to ensure the provision of optimum benefit to visitors. The new entry visa facilitations will come into effect as from October 1.