Stay as tourist, leave as tourist :Government tightens visa controls with new restrictions on conversions

TDT | Manama

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The government has introduced new measures requiring guarantors to pledge not to convert visitor visas into work permits, as part of its broader efforts to tighten controls on visas and residencies, including tourist and work permits. These regulations now impose stricter criteria for obtaining or converting visas, specifically targeting the practice of changing business visitor visas into work permits.

Other similar conversions are also subject to this tightened oversight. “The government has implemented a new policy requiring guarantors to pledge not to convert visitor visas to work permits, by 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 government stated in a statement to parliament.

Represented by the Ministry of Interior, the government emphasised its commitment to safeguarding the Kingdom’s security, particularly in monitoring the legal status of foreign visitors and residents. It reiterated its adherence to the decision issued earlier this year by the Minister of Interior, His Excellency, Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, concerning the fees for services provided by the General Directorate of Nationality, Passports, and Residence Affairs (NPRA).

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 BD250.

Draft law

The government urged the parliament to reconsider a draft law that would prohibit the conversion of entry visas to Bahrain granted for visiting purposes into work permits. It 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.

Legislative framework

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.