Indians and Russians visiting Bahrain will soon get visa on arrival, instead of the having to apply in advance, a senior official said.

They will be granted two-week visit visas on arrival in Bahrain under a system being implemented "very soon", said Interior Ministry Under-Secretary for Nationality, Passports and Residence Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa.

The two countries are being added to the list of countries approved by Bahrain for visas on arrival, he said.

Currently, nationals of 35 countries are granted visas on arrival at entry points, including Bahrain International Airport and King Fahad Causeway.

India and Russia are being added to this list as part of a government plan to encourage more business and family visits to Bahrain, Shaikh Rashid told the Gulf Daily News, our sister newspaper.

"The move will further develop tourism and promote Bahrain as a destination for tourists, families and businessmen from India and Russia," he noted.

"It will substantially contribute to the development of Bahrain's economy in general and that of tourism, trade and commerce in particular."

The visitors should carry a valid passport and a return ticket and provide either hotel reservation details or family contacts in Bahrain.

The new flexible rules will come into force very soon, said Shaikh Rashid.

The countries whose nationals are already granted visas on arrival now are: Germany, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Holland, the UK, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the US, Japan, Hong Kong, Portugal, Greece, Brunei, Malaysia, Monaco, Iceland, San Mario, Vatican, Honduras, Liechtenstein, Singapore, Republic of China, Thailand and Turkey.

Nationals of Britain and Ireland are granted a three-month visa and others a two-week visa, at a cost of BD5.

The visa can be extended for a further two weeks through the General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence.

Shaikh Rashid warned that there would be hefty penalties for those who misuse the facilities and overstay in the country. -TradeArabia News Service