Visa clamp on ‘F1 vice girls’
By TARIQ KHONJI
Published: 14 April 2007
VISA regulations have been stepped up to minimise the number of prostitutes who take advantage of the Formula One event to enter Bahrain and ply their trade, immigration officials have said.
General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence human resources and finance acting director Nayef Al Shurooqi said that the rules, which were also in place last year, were effective in reducing the number of women who overstayed their visas.
He said that the rules were more lax when the race was first held because the country was anxious to promote the race in the Middle East.
Visa clamp on ‘F1 vice girls’
By TARIQ KHONJI
Published: 14 April 2007
VISA regulations have been stepped up to minimise the number of prostitutes who take advantage of the Formula One event to enter Bahrain and ply their trade, immigration officials have said.
General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence human resources and finance acting director Nayef Al Shurooqi said that the rules, which were also in place last year, were effective in reducing the number of women who overstayed their visas.
He said that the rules were more lax when the race was first held because the country was anxious to promote the race in the Middle East.
“Since then we have got stricter, not every nationality will be able to get visas on arrival,” said Mr Al Shurooqi.
“Most will have to have sponsors here.”
He added that visa regulations that limit the number of people that individuals can sponsor are also expected to reduce incidents of pimping in Bahrain.
“Individuals can only sponsor a certain number of people, unlike companies who can sponsor 50 or even more,” said Mr Al Shurooqi.
“Sponsors will be questioned if the people they bring overstay their visa period and legal action could be taken.
“We can only minimise prostitution and cannot stop it completely.
“However, our role at immigration is only to prevent people from overstaying their visas. The cases of prostitution will be handled by other departments within the Interior Ministry.”
The countries which can obtain visas on arrival are 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, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom United States of America, Vatican City, Brazil, Chile, Cyprus, Hungary, Panama, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan and Venezuela.
GCC alien residents can also obtain an F1 visa on arrival. These nationalities can also obtain a pre-arranged F1 visa over the Internet.
Entry rules for Grand Prix fans
* Passengers must produce a valid F1 ticket, proof of purchase or identification showing the passenger is officially associated with the F1 event in Bahrain
* Passport must be valid for length of stay in Bahrain
* Passenger must have a valid confirmed onward travel ticket to leave Bahrain
* The visa holder must not violate the security and national welfare of Bahrain
* The visa holder must not take up paid employment when in Bahrain
* The applicant must be outside Bahrain, and must apply via sponsor or Internet unless eligible for visa on arrival
* All visa holders must be able to support themselves and any dependents while in Bahrain.
* This visa is not available for applicants with endorsees * This visa cannot be extended
© Gulf Daily News
