Bahrain Increases Fees for Visa Conversions

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The Ministry of Interior has announced a significant increase in fees for converting certain visas in Bahrain. Minister of Interior, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, issued Decree No. (119) of 2024, amending provisions of Decree No. (196) of 2014 concerning fees for services provided by the General Directorate of Nationality, Passports, and Residence Affairs.

The decree, published in the Official Gazette on December 19th, 2024, increases the fee for converting a visit visa to a work visa under the same sponsor from BD 60 to BD 250. This represents an increase of over 400%.

The decree also adds two new clauses (74 and 75), introducing new fees for converting a visit visa to a family reunification visa, and for converting a family reunification visa to a work visa. Both conversions will now cost BD 250.

The third article of the decree mandates the Undersecretary of the Ministry for Nationality, Passports, and Residence Affairs to implement the decree's provisions, effective from the day following its publication in the Official Gazette.

The new fees came into effect on Friday, December 20th, 2024. The changes affect individuals seeking to change their visa status within Bahrain.