Almost all travellers to Bahrain require a visa, with the exception of passport holders from the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries. If you are from a non-GCC country and are planning a trip to Bahrain for tourism, work, family visit, or any other reason, here is an overview of the visa requirements for Bahrain. Types and duration of visas are subject to change. Please check well in advance of travel to ensure you have met all the requirements to be issued with a visa and that the visa meets your needs.
Tourist visa in Bahrain
A tourist visa is generally valid for entry into the country for two or four weeks, depending on your country of origin. Citizens of the US, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, the EU, and many other countries can receive a visa on arrival into the country, as long as they have a valid passport and proof of onward travel.
Visitors from other countries, such as Brunei, Thailand, and Singapore, can also arrange visas in advance of travel, either through the eVisa service or local Bahrain Embassy, depending on your nationality. Tourists from countries not eligible to obtain visas by the above methods will need to arrange a visa in advance with the help of a sponsor. A sponsor can be a travel agency or hotel and does not need to be someone you know personally.
Subject to your country of origin, multiple entries, long-term, and multiple entry-long term tourist visas can be granted. There are fees associated with most tourist visa types, and tourist visa processing times are approximately 3-5 working days.
Employment visa in Bahrain
Many expats work in Bahrain; however, you must have a job offer before you can obtain a work visa. Jobseekers are not allowed to enter the country to look for work. Once an offer of employment is made, employers will often complete the required visa paperwork for the new employee. Usually, work visas are valid for two years, and then must be renewed. To obtain a work visa in Bahrain, a valid letter of sponsorship must be presented. Health and criminal records checks may be required in addition to the required visa paperwork.
After a work visa has been granted, the holder must also apply for a residence permit. Both are required to live and work in Bahrain.
Partner visa in Bahrain
If you are working in Bahrain, it is possible to get a residency visa for your partner or children, to allow them to live with you. However, this will not permit them to work unless separate work visas are also obtained.
Bahrain also implements a minimum monthly salary requirement that must be met to be eligible to sponsor family members. If you are bringing over your family, your new employer should be able to assist with the application process.
Investor visa
Self-sponsorship
The self-sponsorship residence permit is issued to foreign retirees, foreign property owners and foreign investors.
Foreign investor
A foreign investor must produce a certified copy of the company's Memorandum of Association, and the investor's share must not be less than one hundred thousand Bahraini Dinars (BHD100,000). A tenancy agreement, valid certificate of health insurance, certificate of good conduct, and evidence of an income of a minimum of BHD500 a month must be shown when applying.
Foreign retiree
You must hold a Retirement Certificate issued by an employer in the Kingdom or GCC countries. You should have worked a minimum of 15 years and be aged 55 years old or more. A valid certificate of health insurance, certificate of good conduct, and evidence of an adequate source of income to support yourself and dependents must be shown when applying.
Foreign property owner
To qualify for this visa, you must have a certified copy of the property stating the value of the property owned by you, in your name. The property value should not be less than BHD50,000. The owned residential property must be located in a touristic zone. As with the foreign retiree, a valid certificate of health insurance, certificate of good conduct, and evidence of an income of a minimum of BHD500 per month must be shown when applying.
Important:
For all visa types, your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of entry into Bahrain; Israeli passports or an Israeli stamp in your passport will bar you from entry.
Useful links:
Bahrain e-visa system
Countries eligible for visa on arrival
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
eVisa
Gulf Cooperation Council
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