Cabinet approve new visa norms

Manama : In a bid to attract more investors and tourists, the Cabinet yesterday approved the introduction a one-time visa valid for two weeks for a fee of BD5. 

This was followed by the Cabinet’s approval of a memorandum about a draft ministerial order that amended provisions of the legislative decree No.196 of 2014, which relates to the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs’ (NPRA) service fees. 

As per the amended provision, the duration of a stay per visit for a three-month multiple entry visa holder will be a month (earlier, it was two weeks). Moreover, a multiple entry visa valid for one year for a fee of BD85 was issued and the five-year multiple entry visa price was changed from BD60 to BD170.

The decisions relate to visa and residency permit reforms taken in the Cabinet meeting, chaired by Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa at Gudaibiya Palace. Speaking on the occasion, Prince Salman reiterated the government’s commitment in increasing parliamentary cooperation across all areas. 

The Cabinet also took note of a number of draft proposals by the legislative authority. They include a proposal submitted by the House of Representative regarding the prioritisation of emergency cases for treatment abroad requests, a proposal for the capitalisation of major development projects to facilitate job opportunities for citizens and a proposal for the establishment of a General Directorate to combat drugs.

A draft proposal was also submitted regarding an Electricity and Water Authority deduction of 50pc of the value of electricity bills from families of widows registered with the Ministry of Labour and Social Development.