Indians can apply for electronic visa for Bahrain from October

Indians travelling to Bahrain can apply for electronic visa from October this year under new rules announced by the Gulf country for 36 countries.

"The visa for Indians would be valid for a month and can be renewed for up to three months from 2015 under the new rules," an official at Bahrain Economic Development Board said.

"Indians could apply for electronic visa from October this year," she told PTI over phone.

Additionally, multiple entry visas will also be available, she added.

Indians make up the largest expatriate population in Bahrain with more than 300,000 residing in the Kingdom.

India is

also one of Bahrain's most important trading partners.

In 2011, total trade between India and Bahrain exceeded USD 1.7 billion, a statement released by the Bahrain Economic Development Board said.

The new visa policy was announced by Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa at a Cabinet meeting earlier this month.

India is among the 36 countries that can avail of the online e-visa facilities under the new policy, it said.

"The new visa policy -- one of the most flexible visa policies in the region -- follows the tradition, enabling citizens from more than 100 countries to enjoy easier and quicker access to West Asia's most open economy," Kamal bin Ahmed, minister of transportation and acting chief executive of the Bahrain EDB, said.