| Visa Requirements
Easy access to visas:
Visas are required by all visitors
to Bahrain- regardless of purpose of visit- except passport holders of the GCC
States (Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates). Foreign
nationals may enter Bahrain with a tourist visa (for individuals or groups),
72-hour visa, 7-day visa, visit visa, business visa, family visa, dependent visa
or an employment visa. In addition, all visitors who hold valid resident permits
for Saudi Arabia can be issued a free 2-week visa. All applications for
extension must be signed by a local sponsor. In the case of tourist visas, the
hotel may act as a sponsor.
Tourist visa:
This type of visa can be obtained at the
Bahrain International Airport or King Fahad causeway for citizens of the EU,
Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong and the United States. Visitors
must have no criminal record or involvement in activities that could threaten
public order or national security. They are not permitted to seek employment
while in Bahrain.
Groups may obtain visas to Bahrain for a duration of up to
2 weeks, renewable once for a similar period. Visas are obtained through hotels,
travel and tourist agencies and other firms licensed to conduct tourist
activities in Bahrain.
Visit visa:
This is issued to foreign nationals who
intend to visit relatives or friends in Bahrain. The application for a visit
visa must be signed by a local sponsor and presented to the GDIP. The following
documents must be presented with the application:
- A letter from the applicant's sponsor;
- A copy of the applicant's CPR card;
- A copy of the visitor's passport.
The visit visa is normally valid for one month's stay in Bahrain, but can
sometimes be extended to a maximum of three months. A longer stay may be granted
in exceptional circumstances. A person on a visit visa is not allowed to work or
engage in business activities during their stay in Bahrain.
Business Visa:
This type of visa is similar to a visit
visa, but the purpose of the visit is business.
Employment visa:
This is required for those who wish to
work legally in Bahrain and become residents of the country. A work permit from
the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and a No Objection Certificate (NOC)
from the General Directorate of Immigration and Passports (GDIP) are required
before this visa can be issued. In addition, all American and Canadian passport
holders can be issued a 5-year multiple entry visa, valid for one month's stay
on each visit. British passport holders can be issued a 3-month entry visa,
valid for one month's stay on each visit. This can be issued by the GDIP in
Bahrain or by any Bahrain Embassy.
72 hour visa/7 day visa:
These visas can be obtained on
arrival at the Bahrain International Airport or at the King Fahad Causeway. The
visas are mainly intended for business visitors, trade delegations, and those
attending exhibitions and seminars. In addition to a passport, the passenger
must have a confirmed return/onward journey ticket for the visa application to
be processed. Foreign nationals who have lived in a GCC state for six months are
automatically granted a 72-hour visa on arrival.
Family visa:
This visa is granted to a wife and children
of a resident employee. The visa holder may not take up employment in Bahrain
but can stay as long as the resident employee stays.
Dependent visa:
This
visa is granted to the dependents of a Bahrain resident. The visa holder cannot
take up employment in Bahrain but can stay as long as the head of the household
stays.
EVisa:
Some visitors to Bahrain can apply and pay for an
electronic visa for Bahrain. Please visit website www.evisa.gov.bh for full
information.
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