Bahrain eases visa rules in bid to attract tourists
Manama, June 30, 2014
Bahrain has announced plans to ease entry visa procedures in a bid to attract tourists and investors, and revitalise the national economy.
New procedures will benefit visitors from 66 countries, up from 38 at present, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.
The policy was unveiled as His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa chaired the weekly Cabinet meeting.
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, also attended.
The session endorsed four recommendations submitted by the co-ordination committee - a panel chaired by HRH the Crown Prince.
"The move reflects the government's resolve to optimise services to promote Bahrain as a tourism and economic destination," Cabinet Secretary General Dr Yaser bin Essa Al Naser said.
Entry visas will be issued to visitors from 13 EU and 15 South American countries, which have been added to 38 West European states having excellent diplomatic relations with Bahrain.
The session endorsed a second proposal enabling visitors from 102 countries to apply for e-entry visas online - up from 38.
Under a third proposal, return visas will be issued to all countries, starting next year.
A proposal to increase the validity of the visas from two to four weeks, renewable for three months, for all nationalities was also approved. - TradeArabia News Service
