Visit Visa

Getting a Visa for Kingdom of Bahrain

Procedures for getting a visa to enter the Kingdom of Bahrain are relatively simple and hassle-free and if all documents are in order, then the visa is issued within 72 hours. In urgent cases, visas are also issued within a day. The General Directorate of Nationality, Passports & Residence is the sole administrative authority responsible for issuing visas to foreigners who wish to visit the country.

GCC National and Visa on Arrival

Visa requirements for entering Bahrain vary greatly between different nationalities and it is always advised to check regulations before travelling. Currently, every nationality entering the Bahrain needs a visa except citizens of GCC countries (Gulf Cooperation Council: Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia) and visitors who have been resident in the GCC for a minimum of six months, and who possess a return visa for the country of GCC residency. Citizens of the European Community, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan or Hong Kong, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea can receive visas on arrival. All visas require you to pay a fee for the initial grant, and then for subsequent extensions (if any extension is permitted).

Other Nationalities

For all other nationalities, a visa must be applied for before the visitor enters the country either through their respective embassy, a local Bahraini sponsor or a local hotel or a travel agent. For tourists, there are broadly two types of Visas - Visit Visas and Transit Visas - and they are issued depending on the duration of stay requested. Visit visa is issued for people who are sponsored by a company operating in Bahrain. It is valid for two months from the date of arrival, with the option of being renewed for one more month. A Transit Visa is issued to individuals at the request of any licensed company such as hotels or trading companies who hold an authorization for applying for this visa. It is valid for 14 days and its renewal varies according to each individual case. You can more about your eligibility for a visa by applying for an eVisa www.evisa.gov.bh, and provide your nationality, purpose for visit, and current place of residence

For more information visit http://www.bahrain.bh/wps/portal.