BH authorities issued a total of 10,023 visas to citizens of Saudi Arabia in 2016, which represents an increase of 128.52 % in comparison to the year of 2015. Besides citizens of Saudi Arabia, there was also an increase in the number of visas issued to citizens of Lebanon, who are increasingly interested in religious tourism and visits to Medjugorje.
In the information that was submitted to the deputies in the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH was stated that around two million people originating from our country are living abroad, according to the data of BH institutions.
Diplomatic and consular representatives in BiH issued a total of 22,862 visas in the year of 2016, which is an increase of 34.72 % compared to the year of 2015 when 16,970 visas were issued. The Ministry of Security of BiH stated that a steady decline in the number of issued visas was recorded in the period from 2007 to 2009, but it is increasing again from 2010 and it culminated last year.
During the year of 2016, most visas were issued to citizens of Saudi Arabia, or a total of 10,023 visas to be exact, which represents an increase of 128.52 %. In comparison, the diplomatic-consular missions of BiH issued a total 4,386 visas to citizens of Saudi Arabia.
After Saudi Arabia follow Lebanon, Jordan, Kosovo, Egypt, India, China, Colombia and the Philippines. Last year, BiH issued a total of 350 visas to persons with unknown citizenship, which are followed by citizens of Indonesia, Libya, Comoros, Syria, and Iran.
A total of 11,519 temporary stays have been granted to foreigners in our country in 2016, which is 8.82 % less than in 2015. Also, a permanent stay was approved for 799 foreigners, which represents a decrease of 1.11 % in comparison to the year of 2015.
The Ministry of Security of BiH has information that 79 people sought refuge in BiH in 2016, that is, a total of 1,180 persons from 2007 to 2016.
(Source: Er. M./Klix.ba)
