Shaikh Ahmed bin Isa Al Khalifa, the NPRA Assistant Undersecretary, on the sidelines of the Press conference which held at Police Officers Club in Manama, told The24X7News (www.twentyfoursevennews.com) that the nationals of 102 nations can enjoy e-visa facilities starting from October 1st 2014.
“We are working hard to minimize the processing time of the e-visa applications as minimum to 48 hours,” Shaikh Ahmed added.
Shaikh Ahmed, who joined by Shaikh Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa Director Visas and Residence and Nayef Ahmed AlSherooqi Director Human Resources and Finance at NPRA, said His Royal Highness Crown Prince and First Deputy Premier Prince Salman bin Hamad had issued instructions to ease the visa facilities during a visit to NPRA offices.
Sheikh Ahmed added that the decision targeted investors, tourists and businessmen and aims to promote economic and tourism growth for the simplicity and easiness in obtaining visas.
Effective October 1, 2014, apart from 102 nationalities to get Visa online, nationals of 66 nationalities can get visa on arrival.
Shaikh Ahmed said that more services would be introduced in the future, including increasing the number of countries that meet standards, especially those with strong diplomatic ties with Bahrain.
He said that the residents in GCC countries will be given visas on arrival following the completion of three months of staying in any Gulf country.
Highlighting the importance of human capital, he said the staff is being trained through courses and workshops to ensure their efficiency and smooth implementation of the project.