Validity of visit visas and residence permits extended

AUTHORITIES have announced an unconditional extension of the validity of all visit visas and residence permits as part of measures to combat the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

The decision of the Nationality, Passport and Residence Affairs (NPRA) directorate comes in line with the directives of the Government Executive Committee.

As per the decision, the validity of all visitors’ visas has been extended for three months and all resident permits until the end of the year.

“In accordance with the directives of the Executive Committee, NPRA is extending the validity of all visitors’ visas for a period of three months and is regulating the status of all resident permit holders till the end of the year,” said an official statement from the Interior Ministry.

“Fees associated with all types of resident permits will be waived till the end of the year.

“Length of stay periods for cancelled and expired resident permits will be extended automatically till the end of the year without the need to submit application and is free of charge.

“All visitors with expired and valid visas will be automatically extended for a period of three months without the need to submit an application and is free of charge.”

The decision comes alongside a nine-month amnesty which the government announced last month for illegal workers.

Under this, non-documented workers can either leave Bahrain or regularise their stay through a new employer or flexi permit visa.

The amnesty launched by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) as part of Covid-19 measures aims to cover an estimated 55,000 expatriate workers of different nationalities.

Source: http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/822558/Validity-of-visit-visas-and-residence-permits-extended