Bahrain's immigration service has denied reports of a visa clamp on British visitors.

It dismissed claims by the British Embassy that Britons were now being granted two-week visas upon arrival, as opposed to three-month visit visas.

However, the Bahrain Irish Society (BIS) issued its own circular to members yesterday saying limited visit visas were now being issued to Irish citizens.

The society said it had been informed by the Irish Embassy in Riyadh that visas would only be issued for a maximum of 28 days, as opposed to three months previously.

'We have checked with the Irish Embassy in Riyadh and the position is that Irish citizens will be automatically granted two-week visas on arrival in Bahrain,' the BIS said.

'However, if requested, Bahraini immigration officers can grant a visa of up to a maximum of 28 days.

'This period of staying in Bahrain will not be extended.

'Citizens will have to leave Bahrain before their visa expires or be subject to fines.

'They can return after a short absence and stay for a further 14 or 28 days.

'Irish citizens residing in Saudi Arabia and those who hold a valid Saudi Iqamas (residency permits) will be issued six-month multiple-entry visas, but they will only be allowed to stay for a maximum of 28 days at any one time.

'However, exceptions will be made for people who rent houses in Bahrain or who have children in school there.

'In these cases, the landlord or the school concerned will have to apply for Bahraini residence cards for the families concerned.'

Our sister newspaper Gulf Daily News (GDN) reported yesterday that the British Embassy had said on its official Facebook page that Britons without Bahraini residence permits would be granted two-week visit visas upon arrival, instead of three-month visas.

However, the General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs yesterday denied any changes had been made.

'We would like to inform you that there is absolutely no change in the kingdom's visa policy with regards to British citizens,' it said in a statement.

It added that Britons would still be offered 72-hour, two-week or three-month visas at the Bahraini border.

'Moreover, they are offered six months at our embassy in the UK,' it said.

'This is due to our long and distinguished relationship with the UK.'

A British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) source revealed he had been trying to contact authorities to clarify the situation without success.

Meanwhile, an immigration spokesman told the GDN yesterday that he had no idea where information on new visa restrictions was coming from.

He advised any British or Irish citizens who wanted three-month visas, but who had only been granted two-week visas in recent days, or anyone wanting more information to contact the General Directorate public relations department on 17399764.-TradeArabia News Service