Preparations are in the final stage for replacing expatriates' residence permit stamps with special stickers, a top immigration official said yesterday.

The stickers with high security features are being produced using new technology, said assistant under-secretary for General Directorate of Nationality, Passport and Residence (GDNPR) Shaikh Ahmed bin Isa Al Khalifa.

'We hope to introduce it in the New Year,' he told the Gulf Daily News, our sister newspaper. 'The security features of international standard, available on the stickers, will ensure that the permit is not forged.'

'There will be separate stickers for residence permits and return visas.'

Shaikh Ahmed said the sticker would carry details, including the name of the residence permit holder, their sponsor and occupation.

'There will also be features to include the person's photograph and fingerprints eventually,' he added.

'Some other Gulf countries are already using stickers in the passports of their expatriate population.'

Shaikh Ahmed said the new move would also support the services being provided for expatriates by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA).

'Visa stickers will be stamped at LMRA counters at the airport when an expatriate arrives for the first time in Bahrain to take up employment,' he added.

Shaikh Ahmed said the GDNPR is in the process of contacting the Foreign Ministry, foreign embassies in Bahrain and international airlines about the new move.

'The Interior Ministry will work in co-ordination with the Foreign Ministry to inform other countries about the new residence permit stickers,' he added.

'It is also important to inform international airlines and the embassies about them and their features.'-TradeArabia News Service