Bahrain facilitates visa issuance to Brazilians - Brazil

São Paulo – Instead of applying for a visa beforehand, Brazilian citizens travelling to Bahrain will be allowed to make the requirement upon arriving in the Arab country. The measure will enter into force in October this year and does not apply to multiple-entry and long-term visas, which will only be available on arrival in early 2015. The revised regulation applies both to leisure and business travel, and one-month stays.

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Bahrain International Airport

Bahrain received 2,948 Brazilians in 2013

The new policy will make it easier and quicker for Brazilians to travel on business or leisure to the Kingdom of Bahrain, the country’s minister of Transportation and acting chief executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), Kamal Bin Ahmed told ANBA by email. According to EDB data, last year 2,948 Brazilians travelled to Bahrain; 1,346 arrived by air, 1,592 by land via the King Fahd Bridge and 10 arrived via maritime ports.

“The decision to revise Brazil’s visa policy, specifically, was to make it easier for existing and potential investors to visit the Kingdom to experience the benefits of doing business in Bahrain, and the opportunities of the US$ 1.6 trillion GCC market,” said Ahmed.

According to the minister, Brazilian foreign direct investment (FDI) in Bahrain is growing steadily and reached US$ 4.26 million in 2012. According to the World Investment Report of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad), supplied to ANBA by the EDB, last year Bahrain was targeted by US$ 989 million in FDI.

“Strong economic fundamentals, such as a tried and tested regulatory system and a skilled local workforce, have continued to attract international investors to the Kingdom of Bahrain and this new policy will enhance access for current and future investors,” Ahmed stated. FDI in Bahrain was up 11% in 2013 from 2012.

At this time, in order to obtain a visa for Bahrain, Brazilians must apply through a sponsor in the Kingdom, such as a hotel, airline or person. They must have the document in hand before arriving in the country. As per the new regulation, Brazilians will also be able to apply for electronic visas while still in Brazil.

Bahrain already supplies visas on arrival to citizens from countries such as Denmark, Australia, Austria, Belgium, United States, Canada, France, Finland, Singapore, Spain and United Kingdom, among others. Apart from Brazil, the new regulation will cover other Latin American countries like Venezuela, Uruguay, Suriname, Peru, Paraguay, Guiana, French Guiana, Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, Bolivia, Argentina and the Falkland Islands.

*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum

Bahrain facilitates visa issuance to Brazilians - Brazil