Report: Yemen to stop granting visas on arrival at airport as new security measure
By Ahmed Al-haj, APThursday, January 21, 2010
Yemen to stop issuing visas on arrival at airport
SAN’A, Yemen — A government newspaper says Yemen will stop issuing visas to foreign visitors landing in the country to prevent potential militants from sneaking in.
The Defense Ministry’s September 26 paper reported on Thursday that those requiring visas will have to apply for them at Yemeni embassies abroad.
Airport officials say the decision hasn’t yet gone into effect. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press.
So far, North Americans and Europeans could get visas on landing in Yemen. Other nationals either didn’t need visas or had to apply for them at Yemeni embassies.
The measure comes a day after Britain suspended direct flights with San’a in response to growing threat from al-Qaida-affiliated militants based in Yemen.
