Manama, Mar9(BNA) The Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA) explained on Sunday that the Formula 1 event in Bahrain will be held between 4-6 April 2014. Passengers can only use this visa for entry into Bahrain between 23 March to 06 April 2014 inclusive.

The F1 visa is valid for 2 weeks from the date of first entry and is a multiple re-entry visa. This visa has no physical evidence in the passport. A printout of the visa approval or a letter of invitation from the guarantor may be carried by the passenger.

Passengers can obtain the F1 visa on arrival, or pre-arrange the visa through the internet (www.evisa.gov.bh) or NPRA (Nationality, Passports Residence Affairs) Headquarters depending on their nationality and GCC expat residence status.

Visas can be obtained on arrival by the following countries (G37 group): Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom United States of America, Vatican City and South Korea.

[Additional nationalities that can obtain a visa on arrival are Brazil, Chile, Cyprus, Hungary, Panama, South Africa, Taiwan, Venezuela India] GCC expat residents can also obtain an F1 visa on arrival. These nationalities can also obtain a pre-arranged F1 visa over the internet. In order to make the process at the border smoother all the above listed countries should utilize the online service to obtain their visas prior to arrival via the website (www.evisa.gov.bh)

All nationalities except for the above listed nationalities and GCC expat residents must have a guarantor to obtain a pre-arranged F1 visa. The guarantor can be a Bahraini commercial entity or a Bahraini individual. Pre-arranged F1 visas can be obtained by the guarantor at NPRA Headquarters in Manama. Therefore, companies that are marketing the tickets for the event whose clients are outside Bahrain and are not part of the above listed nationalities or GCC expat residents must have a Bahraini guarantor to arrange a F1 visa on their behalf.

NPRA would like to encourage all Bahraini commercial entities that are involved with the Formula 1 event, whether for ticket sales or providing accommodation facilities, to register online and make use of the internet services offered by NPRA. (MOI-Media Centre)

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BNA 1759 GMT 2014/03/09