Kingdom of Bahrain continues its eGovernment drive with the launch of the eVisa
Bahrain today announced the launch of the eVisa, the first electronic visa in the Middle East, marking another step on the Kingdom’s objective of creating an eGovernment – a fully integrated hi-tech system of government.
The eVisa allows visitors to Bahrain to apply for a visa electronically from anywhere in the world using the internet. Besides the convenience of on line application, the eVisa will mean quicker processing at Bahrain International Airport and removes the need for visitors to pay for the visa in local currency on arrival.
In order to apply for an eVisa applicants require a secure internet connection, a credit card and their passport. Progress of the application can be checked on line using the eVisa website. Once the eVisa is a approved a print out can be downloaded from the website, although this is not necessary for entry as approval will be shown on the computer at the arrival counter at Bahrain International Airport. Initially the applications will be processed manually within 72 hours, although as the system is developed further, the approval of applications will be automated. The eVisas costs 7BD.
At the moment eVisas are only be available for standard-type visit visas for nationals from Western European, North American and several South East Asian countries (see attached handout for full details), but the system will be gradually expanded so that most travelers will be able to apply for visit visas and other categories on line.
Brigadier Abdulghaffar Abdulaziz, the Director General of the General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Isa Al-Khalifa, Director of Visa and Residents Permits, announced the launch of the eVisa today at a press conference. The eVisa is the first step in the General Directorate of Nationality, Passport and Residence’s eBorders project.
Background – eGovernment in Bahrain
Both the eVisa and eBorders initiatives are part of the Kingdom’s eGovernment strategy to establish a fully integrated system of government. Other initiatives include the creation of a new combined smart card replacing the old ID cards, which will contain all government information and allow the payment of bills; an eInvestorproject that will provide the foundation for all business interactions with the government; and the 'Business Intelligence' project to create national data bases for the Ministries of Health, Labour and Commerce.
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eVisa website: www.evisa.gov.bh
For further details see the attached General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence’s Handout on eVisa Procedure published today.
Or contact the eVisa Vetting and Approval Centre on +973 1753 0902; email evisa@gdnpr.gov.bh
Press release by the Foreign Media Directorate of Bahrain’s Ministry of Information can be contacted at formedia@batelco.com.bh or +973 1787 1634
© Press Release 2004
