No change to Bahrain visit visa rules

Visit visa regulations in Bahrain have not been revised, officials have said in reaction to claims that new rules were being implemented. “Each visa application is individually evaluated by the authorities,” said Nayef Al Sherooqi, head of human and financial resources at the General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence (GDNPR). Residents said that visit visas, which used to be issued for 30 days and were extendible to 90 days, had been recently limited to two weeks. “Each visa application is reviewed individually to determine the length of stay based on the reason of visit stated at the time of submission. There are no new regulations,” Al Sherooqi said, quoted by Daily Tribune. The official said the charges for availing visit visas were BD22. An extension for one month costs BD25. The business visa charge is 15 Bahrain Dinars and the extension charge is BD40 for one week. According to Al Sherooqi, the visa on arrival has always been an integral part of NPRA services since it started in late 1990s. Residents have informed that they received instructions from their offices that visit visas were issued only to blood relations or spouses. “This statement is incorrect,” Al Sherooqi said. “Based on the visa type, extensions are granted for the same period that was issued initially.”