NPRA Undersecretary Visits UK Home Office

As part of an official visit to the United Kingdom, Interior Ministry Undersecretary for Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA), Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, accompanied by his delegation, visited the UK Home Office to enhance cooperation and exchange expertise in digital transformation of border services and the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system.

The NPRA Undersecretary affirmed that the visit forms part of the Ministry of Interior’s efforts to strengthen international cooperation and benefit from leading global experiences in digital border management. He noted that such exchanges contribute to developing operational frameworks and enhancing services provided to travellers, in line with the highest standards of security and safety.

During the visit, the NPRA Undersecretary and the accompanying delegation reviewed the UK’s experience in implementing electronic travel systems and their role in supporting pre-travel procedures and managing passenger flows at border points. The discussions also covered best practices in deploying advanced digital systems to improve operational efficiency and strengthen border security.

The delegation further held official meetings with senior officials at the UK Home Office, during which they discussed policies and governance frameworks related to the ETA system, user experience, mechanisms for technical integration with Advance Passenger Information systems, verification procedures with airlines and at border crossings, as well as risk assessment and data protection measures.