Bahrain has announced two new visas - a new single entry and one-year multiple reentry e-visa - in the fourth phase of the kingdom's new visa policy.

The new single entry visa will enable up to two-week stay, whilst the one-year multi-entry visa will allow for a stay period of up to 90 days.

A total of 114 countries are eligible for the new visas, including GCC residents, said a statement from the Nationality, Passports & Residence Affairs (NPRA).

The sole authority responsible for managing the entry of people into Bahrain, NPRA has also announced a key change to its three month multiple re-entry visa, which now allows for a one month stay.

Stays were previously restricted to two weeks, said the statement.

Under the new visa policy, the citizens of the US, Canada, UK and Ireland will gain a longer stay period for the five-year multiple reentry visa. Visa holders will now be able to stay for 90, instead of 30 days, it added.

Visas can be applied online via www.evisa.gov.bh, while citizens of 67 countries and the GCC can get visas on arrival.

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry’s Undersecretary of NPRA, Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, said: "This new round of visa announcements represents another step for Bahrain’s commitment to openness. We have taken great strides in recent years in making the country even more accessible, helping both leisure and business tourists."

"These developments further aid Bahrain’s standing as a regional hub, which is why so many tourists and businesses are looking to the country as the ideal Middle East destination," he added.-TradeArabia News Service