Page 410 - Bahrain Gov annual reports(V)_Neat

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IMMIGRATION

1. The Immigration Branch of the Bahrain State Police came into being on the 1st Sept­
ember, 1956, under Assistant Superintendent N. C. Bonn. Its functions had previously been
carried out by the Passport Department. An office was occupied in Bab al Bahrain, Manama,
which office, owing to the expansion of the Branch, is now quite inadequate.

2. With the exception of Muharraq Airport, where a twenty-four hour duty is maintained,
and for the arrival and departure of steamers,'immigration officers are on duty only during
recognised office hours which procedure does not allow for a complete control of immigration.
An increase in establishment has, however, been authorised for the year 1957. This increase
will permit a continuous twenty-four hour service at all ports of entry and exit and thus facilitate
the control of persons and alleviate the inconveniences caused to passengers.

3. With the limited staff available it has been found impossible to control illegal entry
and exit except at recognised ports of entry. It is considered that such control cannot be
carried out satisfactorily without co-operation from a Port and Marine Police which is now
under formation.

Movement of persons
4. Statistics for the period September 1st, 1956 to 31 December, 1956, are as follows :—
Arrivals. Departures.
By Air 8,445 7,989
By Steamers .. 8,863 4,913
By Local Craft 13,444 10,983

Total .. 30,752 23,885
Total of arrivals and departures .. 54,637
Excess arrivals over departure 6,867

5. These figures are broken down into nationalities as follows
Nationality Arrivals. Departures. Remarks.
Bahrainis 10,975 8,864 plus 2,111
Saudis 4,992 3,279 . plus 1,713
Muscatis 3,450 1,562 plus 1,888
Trucial States subjects 2,806 1,861 plus 945
British (U.K.) 2,444 2,319 plus 125
Indians 1,653 1,657 minus 4
Pakistanis 1,145 1,434 minus 289
Qataris 763 721 plus 42
Americans 446 476 plus 30
Europeans (various) 409 484 minus 75
Portuguese 358 270 plus 88
Kuwaitis 276 170 plus 106
Yemanis 224 204 plus 20
Lebanese 182 108 plus 74
Jordanians 180 96 plus 84
Persians 127 151 minus 24
Palestinians 100 60 plus 40
Iraquis 81 86 minus 5
Egyptians 61 25 plus 36
Syrians 26 II plus 15
Other Nationalities 39 40 minus 1
Total .. .. 30,752 23,885