Visa for Qataris, residents to be enforced from November 19

Manama : Citizens and residents of Qatar will be required to obtain visa and pay fees to enter Bahrain from November 19.

The imposition of visa follows the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Monday, tightening entry and residence procedures in the light of the current security requirements.

“The Kingdom of Bahrain has decided the imposition of visas to preserve the security and safety of the country, because the Kingdom of Bahrain had been affected most by its policies,” a statement issued by the Interior Ministry here said yesterday.

The statement came to announce a resolution issued yesterday by Interior Minister Lieutenant General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.

The Minister issued ministerial order 167 of 2017 that included two articles and is to come into effect on November 19 this year.

Article 1 of the order stipulated the imposition of an entry visa to the Kingdom of Bahrain on citizens and residents of the State of Qatar.

The second article read, “Interior Ministry Undersecretary for Nationality, Passport and Residence Affairs should implement the Order, which becomes effective from 19 November 2017 and it should be published in the Official Gazette.”

The announcement followed a meeting between the minister, Nationality, Passports and Residency Affairs Undersecretary Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa.

The minister highlighted that “obtaining entry visa requires applying in accordance with the instructions mentioned in the Nationality, Passport and Residence Affairs (NPRA) website”.

The ministry’s statement also mentioned, “The procedures aim to protect the security and stability of the Kingdom, especially with the latest implications of the crisis with Qatar, including Qatar’s decision to strengthening its ties with Iran, which has negative effects on the national and regional security. Qatar also shelters security fugitives and has facilitated the entry of individuals of different nationalities who represent threats to the national security of Bahrain by granting them exception from the issuing of entry visa.”

The undersecretary affirmed that “Qataris and residents of Qatar who are in Bahrain should visit the NPRA to correct their legal status”.

This comes one day after HM the King chaired the weekly Cabinet meeting on Monday and issued directives to exclude Qatari nationals and residents from the list of countries that are exempted from paying visa fees to enter and reside in Bahrain.

HM the King also announced that Bahrain will not take part in any meetings or summits that are attended by Qatar, until the latter rectifies its hostile and terrorism-supporting stances and policies.