BAHRAIN will provide an F1 Visa to overseas visitors free of charge.
This is among the many exciting new developments for 2006 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
Travellers visiting Bahrain for the race will be able to obtain their free F1 visa if they have with them a valid ticket to the race, a proof of purchase or official association with the FIA Formula One World Championship.
The F1 Visa scheme begins on February 26 and runs until March 12 and is open to visitors from the G34 group countries: 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, United Kingdom United States of America, Vatican City.
In addition visitors from Brazil, Chile, Cyprus, Hungary, Lebanon, Panama, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan and Venezuela and GCC alien residents can also obtain an F1 visa on arrival.
All nationalities not listed above can also obtain an F1 Visa if they have a sponsor – a Bahraini commercial entity or a Bahraini individual – to their application. Sponsored F1 visas can be pre-arranged by the sponsor and obtained at GDNPR Headquarters in Manama. Upon arrival, GDNPR has set up several fast-track lanes at the airport solely dedicated for passports & immigration procedures related to F1.
All F1 Media and visitors to the Grand Prix will be required to fill out Arrival/Departure Cards. These cards will be distributed to the airlines and are available at the information desk before the immigration counters. A special entry stamp will be imprinted by the Immigration Officer in the passport and in the arrival/departure card. The hard copy of the card will be attached to the passport which will be removed upon departure. Passengers must retain their stamped departure card in their Passport to speed up their departure.