Visa Pathway Opens as Security Pact Coincides with JFK Flight Launch

• Pact signed under C-SIPA framework

• Visa Waiver entry listed as goal
• Gulf Air’s direct JFK flight begins

Bahrain and the United States have signed a border-security memorandum, marking a new chapter in the Kingdom’s efforts to facilitate travel and strengthen commercial ties with America.

During his official visit to Washington, Interior Minister H.E. General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa met US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and reaffirmed Bahrain’s ambition to join the US Visa Waiver Program. The minister highlighted that this goal reflects years of mutual trust and ongoing cooperation between the two countries.

Strategic Framework

Signed at the Department of Homeland Security, the memorandum complements the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA). It emphasizes the exchange of information to safeguard both nations, covering border management, immigration, and travel screening to prevent entry of individuals deemed ineligible due to terrorism, crime, or national-security concerns.

The minister noted that the pact aligns with both governments’ priorities, including border protection, supply-chain security, and the strengthening of strategic alliances. He also pointed to Bahrain’s community-security initiatives—such as alternative sentencing and open-prisons programs—as examples of how domestic reforms reinforce national stability.

H.E. General Shaikh Rashid added that the agreement coincides with the launch of Gulf Air’s first direct flight to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on October 1, describing it as a key link that will enhance business, tourism, education, and cultural exchanges. He said the memorandum and the flight together underscore how security cooperation and economic connectivity can advance hand in hand.

Broader Cooperation

Discussions also covered artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, maritime security, and capacity building. Both sides agreed to explore the formation of a joint committee to coordinate future initiatives. The minister reaffirmed that these efforts are guided by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s reform agenda, which places justice, coexistence, and openness at the core of Bahrain’s security approach.

H.E. General Shaikh Rashid concluded that the memorandum strengthens a partnership that has endured for more than a century, placing Bahrain and the United States on a shared path toward security, prosperity, and expanded international cooperation.