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Dependent Visa Issues - No Middle Name So No Visa?!?!?!

RDSchuckert

Im trying to get visas for my wife and Step Daughter.  They are from the Philippines. My wife is on her way to Bahrain right now as I type this. Her visa was approved today (after a VERY long wait). 

My Step-daughter's first visa was denied because she doesn't have the same last name as me. We had to explain to them that she is a STEP-DAUGHTER, that I have Power of Attorney to care for her (fulfilling Bahrain Law Requirements), and we resubmitted for her visa.

Today it was denied once more. This time because my step daughter does not have a middle name. Her name is listed on her Birth Certificate and her Passport as  just   FIRST NAME  / LAST NAME.  She has the same last name as my wife's maiden name.

She has a first name and a surname.  Just no middle name. And they denied the visa because she doesn't have a middle name?!?!?  SERIOUSLY?!?!?!   LOTS OF PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE MIDDLE NAMES!!!!!!!!

My own mother does not have a middle name! 

So now, I have to write a letter explaining to Immigration that the traditions of this country do not mean they are the same in every country over the world. MANY places do not have a middle name or the middle name is optional (as in most of the free world).

It is IMPOSSIBLE to amend my Step Daughter's birth certificate to add a middle name to it. We can easily fake the Birth Certificate, but we can not add a middle name, LEGALLY, to her Passport...

Seriously, who is running the government of this country?  Are they fishing for an under the table bribe?  I'll be happy to pay 100BD to smooth out this process.

We're using a Management Company to get her visa. I think this time I might apply through the eVisa system.  Should I take a stab at the eVisa or should I try for a 3rd time through the Management Company here?

See also

Visas for BahrainFamily Member work status- Self sponsorship retirement visaSeeking Bahrain Residency – Medically Retired US MilitaryConverting visit to work visaChild's Visa
XTang

I had missed this earlier as I was travelling.  Hopefully it has been sorted out for you?

Very strange.  Middle name should not be the basis of rejection.  Rejection only happens when you have only one name i.e. first or surname on your passport as is the case for a lot of Indian passport holders.

Evisa is only for visit visas.   The dependent visa is applied online through LMRA - it would be helpful if you can reproduce the "exact" message that comes in the LMRA portal on rejection.  When rejected, it allows you to resubmit without creating a separate application.

I would still go through management company and write a letter to explain the middle name aspect.  It would be helpful if the letter is in front of notary public in GOSI mall and then notarized by MOFA Bahrain.   

Apparently, the document verification team in LMRA was changed some months back and most of the people are new - very interested in crossing the Ts and dotting the Is......there have been lots of problems as a result.  The issue happens on the basis of WHO is looking at your application e.g. an application for my daughter for sponsoring by my wife was approved but for my son, they asked for a notarized letter from notary public....and no matter what I did, they wouldn't proceed until I did that......despite already having approved it for my other child without it.  And the problem was that the person who rejected it in the first place....has to approve it so even if someone else is willing to approve it, you are stuck.

I wouldn't advise broaching the topic of under the table - that can have serious consequences.  If your management company suggests it, let them handle it.  You can pay them but don't get involved yourself.