Nationals of 66 countries can get visas on arrival starting October 1, as part of a policy to boost Bahrain's tourism and economic growth.

They include US, UK, France, Germany, Russia, South Korea, Japan, China and several states from the European Union and South America, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Electronic visas to Bahrain will also be granted to citizens of 102 countries, said Nationality, Passport and Residence Affairs (NPRA) assistant under-secretary Shaikh Ahmed bin Isa Al Khalifa.

He said preparations were underway for an expected influx of tourists and businessmen visiting the country in the next couple of months.

“Citizens from 66 countries will receive visa on arrival at different Bahrain ports from October 1 and electronic visa will be granted to nationals of 102 countries,” he said at a press conference held at the Interior Ministry's Officer's Club in Gudaibiya.

“This is a bold step taken by Bahrain to open up for other countries, which will benefit our economy in terms of foreign investment and attract tourists.”

Shaikh Ahmed said a two-week visa will be issued for those applying online, through www.evisa.gov.bh, which can be extended to a maximum of 90 days.

“The plan includes to increase the validity of the visas from two to four weeks, renewable for three months, in the near future,” he explained.

However, he said obtaining a visa does not guarantee entry into the country.

“A visa is issued for travel from port A to port B and it is up to the state to guarantee entry based on its regulations,” he added.

Shaikh Ahmed said immigration authorities followed certain criteria when adding countries to the visa on arrival scheme, taking into account frequent travellers, investments in Bahrain and countries that are part of the G-20 major economies.

“It is a privilege for a country to be on this list and we could remove some countries if they do not fit the criteria, but that does not mean it affects the political and economic relations between them.”

The GDN reported in August that hoteliers and businessmen warned that an increase in visa fees could damage trade and tourism.

However, Shaikh Ahmed yesterday said the revised fees will be 'minimal'.

“The visa fees remained the same for 15 years and with the operational costs and inflation it had to be increased,” he explained.

“The increase is minimum and is a matter of balancing the fees between the NPRA and the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

“The percentage of increase is not high and competitive in the region.”

The new fees, effective from tomorrow is as follows; two-week visa on arrival will cost BD25 ($65.4) and extending it will cost BD25, one-month visit visa costs BD30 and its extension for a month will cost BD30; one-week visit visa costs BD25 and its extension will cost BD50; request for visa on borders is BD4; fee to submit an application is BD4; one-week visa for GCC residents is BD25 and its extension by a week will cost BD25; three-month visa for citizens from the UK and Ireland is BD20 and its extension will cost BD20. - TradeArabia News Service