Bahrain Tightens Visa Controls to Strengthen Security

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

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The Bahraini government, represented by the Ministry of Interior, has reaffirmed its commitment to combating any potential threats to the Kingdom's security, particularly regarding the legal status of foreign visitors and residents.

In a statement to the parliament, the government outlined its efforts to tighten controls on all visas and residencies, including tourist visas and work permits.

This includes stricter regulations for obtaining or converting visas, preventing the conversion of business visitor visas to work permits, and other similar practices.

"The government has implemented a new policy requiring guarantors to pledge not to convert visitor visas to work permits, in accordance with Article 4 of the Bahrain Entry Visa Decision. This allows immigration officials to require a Bahraini guarantor before issuing a visa if deemed necessary," the statement read.

The government also highlighted its commitment to a new decision issued by the Minister of Interior earlier this year regarding fees for services provided by the General Directorate of Nationality, Passports, and Residence.

This decision aims to prevent the conversion of visitor visas without a guarantor into work permits or family reunification visas, while allowing the conversion of visitor visas to work permits or family reunification visas for the same guarantor for a fee of 250 Bahraini dinars.

Therefore, the government urged the parlament to reconsider a draft law that would prohibit the conversion of entry visas to Bahrain granted for visiting purposes into work permits. The government argued that the objectives of the draft law are already being achieved through existing regulations.

The government highlighted that existing laws and regulations governing the entry and residence of foreigners in Bahrain, including the Foreigners (Immigration and Residence) Law, provide a framework for managing these matters.

"Article 18 of this law allows for the issuance of residency permits to foreigners who can support themselves and their dependents in Bahrain, or who wish to work in the country. The article also outlines regulations for the residence of non-Bahrainis and grants the government discretionary authority to issue and determine the validity of residency permits or renewals, as well as to issue permits in specific cases at its discretion, with periodic reviews of the beneficiary's legal status," the statement explained.

Moreover, the government expressed its view that the draft law contradicts the established legislative approach in the Foreigners Law, emphasising the importance of adhering to the existing legislative framework when enacting new laws.

It argued that the general framework should be established in the law, with details left to executive regulations and ministerial decisions.

This allows for greater flexibility and ease of amendment in response to evolving circumstances, unlike laws that require more time for amendment according to constitutional procedures.