Faster camping permit deposits now available online

• Service fully automated with a three-step online application process
• Users can now apply, pay, and reclaim deposits digitally via the “Khaym” app
• Initiative part of wider government push to modernise public services

Ministry of Municipalities and Agriculture, in cooperation with the Southern Governorate, has upgraded its service for depositing security fees for non-commercial camping during the annual winter camping season.

The improved system allows campers to pay and reclaim security deposits for site cleanliness entirely online, aiming to improve service quality, simplify procedures, and reduce transaction time.

Under the new digital process, the service is fully automated, cutting processing time from up to three working days to an instant procedure. The ministry said the redesign also reduced application steps to a maximum of three and replaced paper forms with electronic submissions.

Applicants can now access the service through the Southern Governorate application under the “Khaym” initiative. Requests are automatically forwarded to the relevant municipal licensing department, which calculates the required deposit. Users can then complete payment through approved electronic payment channels.

The ministry said the upgrade is part of wider efforts to modernise government services and enhance the user experience through digital transformation.

The Undersecretary for Municipal Affairs at the Ministry of Municipalities and Agriculture, Shaikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, said the development reflects the government’s commitment to adopting innovative digital solutions that improve efficiency and service quality.

He added that the initiative builds on ongoing efforts to streamline procedures and deliver integrated digital services that meet users’ needs and increase satisfaction.

According to the ministry, more than 1,300 government services have been documented and published as part of a broader reform programme. Around 800 of these services have undergone development and redesign across various sectors, based on public feedback, investor suggestions, and service evaluation reports.

Officials said the wider programme also includes service guides and performance agreements designed to improve efficiency, raise service quality, and support Bahrain’s ongoing digital transformation strategy.