Bahrain improves visa policy for African citizens

Tourists from eleven African countries will benefit new eVisa system, as Bahrain makes the third phase of its new visa policy

As a part of the third phase of the project's implementation, nationals from Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, Cameroon, Gabon, Senegal, Mauritius and Seychelles will be able to obtain their traveling visas on-line, via official website.

The new visa protocol for Bahrain began its first phase in October 2014. The second phase was implemented in April 2015, when officials from the Kingdom relaxed visa regulations and time of visit conditions for nationals from over 100 countries.

Currently, due to the new policy regarding visa applications, the business visas for Bahrain are valid for a month and the visitor visas allow tourists to spend up to three months in the Kingdom. Both visa types are multi-entry.

Shaikh Ahmed bin Isa Al Khalifa, assistant undersecretary for the general directorate of nationality, passports and residence affairs at Bahrain’s ministry of interior, commented on the third phase of the implementation of the new regulations and on further improvements of the process:

“The addition of the African countries to Bahrain’s progressive visa policy is a significant step forward to providing easier access into Bahrain for all visitors.

“The addition of these important African economies will help to support the business and tourism sectors in the Kingdom and hopefully those of the wider GCC region.

“Bahrain is home to several expatriate African communities and we look forward to welcoming the friends and families of those living in the Kingdom and to showcasing Bahrain’s successful business environment and rich cultural heritage.”

When it comes to official figures, in 2015, Bahrain registered a 16 per cent increase in foreign tourist numbers when compared to the previous year and is on an ascending track in terms of tourism sector revenues.