Congestion Eases at Iraqi Ports as New Entry Measures Simplified for Bahraini Nationals

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Congestion at Iraqi border crossings, including ports of entry, has begun to ease following a reversal of recently implemented visa measures. These measures, which included mandatory biometric fingerprinting and a significant increase in visa fees, were introduced without prior notice, stranding Bahraini nationals for up to 72 hours. The delays prompted numerous distress calls to Bahraini authorities for assistance.

Khalid Al Mansour, Bahrain's Ambassador to Iraq, confirmed that Iraqi authorities have now adopted a policy allowing travelers to enter the country with just a passport stamp, eliminating the need for fingerprinting entirely.

Ambassador Al Mansour shared that the delays caused by the previous electronic visa processing and fingerprinting requirements—initiated last Wednesday—are already diminishing. The new procedure, which simplifies entry to a passport stamp and fee collection, is expected to significantly reduce congestion at the Safwan border crossing within hours.

Additionally, the ambassador revealed that Iraqi officials have reverted the visa fee to its original rate of $77, following a sudden hike to $160 that had exacerbated the backlog and confused procedures at border checkpoints.

"Iraqi officials recently visited the Safwan crossing, which connects Iraq and Kuwait, to assess the situation of Bahraini nationals who had been stranded for approximately 72 hours due to the previous requirements and a shortage of personnel and equipment for processing entries," he stated.

Furthermore, Al Mansour noted that the number of travelers waiting at Najaf International Airport has also decreased since the new policy was implemented, allowing entry with just a passport stamp and visa fees without the need for fingerprinting.

In related news, several Bahraini citizens confirmed that buses, which had been stuck at the Safwan crossing for three days with visitors from Bahrain awaiting entry procedures, had begun to move as their processing was completed. Significant reductions in congestion have also been reported at Najaf International Airport, which had suffered from extensive delays over the last few days.