Bahrain visa policy

The Kingdom of Bahrain visa policy differentiates four types of travelers – those allowed to apply for a regular visa, those eligible for a visa on arrival, qualified for an electronic visa, and visitors that may enjoy visa exemption. Depending on your nationality, you can apply for a particular visa for Bahrain.

Residents of the GCC countries are allowed to travel to Bahrain only with a valid passport. Member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council agreed to facilitate travel for their citizens and provided them with freedom of movement. These rules apply to nationals of Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

In 2014, Bahrain authorities decided to launch the Bahrain e-Visa program with the idea of encouraging more tourists to visit the country. The online visa is issued for all eligible foreigners who would like to pursue short-term travel to Bahrain for reasons such as tourism, and business. It is also possible to apply for an online Transit Visa.

A regular visa may be obtained at the Embassy. Although the process is not complicated, it requires the applicant to visit the office in person. Depending on the number of applicants, you may need to wait patiently for your appointment in a queue. With formalities completed, you will also be asked to answer a few questions regarding your travel.

While entering Bahrain, it is essential to have a valid passport and an authorized visa. On arrival, every traveler must attend a clearance conducted by the immigration officers. Keep in mind that nationals of some countries may be asked for additional documentation.

Who can enter Bahrain?

A suitable visa is required for every person who would like to cross the borders of Bahrain. Depending on your country of origin, you will be eligible for different visas. Currently, it is possible to apply for a Bahrain regular visa, visa on arrival, or online visa.

If you are a citizen of the GCC country (Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates), you can visit Bahrain with a visa exemption. For your travel to be problem-free, you only need to prepare a national ID card and a copy of your GCC residence card.

Entry requirements for Bahrain

Remember to check the current entry requirements before leaving for the journey to Bahrain. It is essential that you have all the necessary documentation on hand.

Documents checklist for entering Bahrain

You must have the following documents in order to be allowed entry to Bahrain:

• passport with a validity of at least 6 months from the intended travel date
• proof of purchased flight tickets, return or onward travel
• approved Bahrain visa

Moreover, depending on your nationality, you may also be required to submit the additional documentation:

• copy of an invitation letter from a Bahrain company (business travel)
• GCC residence card (if applicable)
• proof of having sufficient funds (if applicable)
• proof of booked accommodation (if applicable)
• certificate of yellow fever vaccination (if applicable)
• copy of a family member’s CPR Reader printout (if applicable)
• bank statement for the last 3 months, with a balance of 300 BD (around 800 USD)

Do not forget that the provided information is an overview, as the Bahrain entry requirements may be subject to change at short notice. It is highly recommended to always visit the official website of the Bahrain government for current updates on entry requirements.

Methods of getting a visa to Bahrain

Although citizens of a few countries are allowed to enter Bahrain visa-free, foreign tourists are generally required to obtain a relevant visa for the journey to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Electronic visa (e-Visa)

The Bahrain e-Visa is an electronic visa allowing eligible foreigners to travel to Bahrain. It may be easily obtained through the online visa application procedure, which should only take 15 minutes. To apply for the Bahrain e-Visa, complete the registration form, upload the necessary documentation, and pay the processing fee.

The online Tourist Visa is dedicated to short-term travel related to tourism, business, and transit.

Visa on arrival (VOA)

The Bahrain visa on arrival may be applied for after entering the country through the selected arrival port. It is not available for all nationalities, therefore, it is essential to check before travel if you are eligible for the visa.

In general, a VOA allows for short-term journeys for purposes including business and tourism. It is issued by immigration officers as a stamp or a sticker on your passport.

Regular visa

The consular visa to Bahrain is issued for the applicant at the Embassy or Consulate. Unfortunately, the visa application procedure may be time-consuming.

Before the appointment at the office, you need to wait for a few hours in the queue. Then, you should complete the application form, provide the officers with the necessary documentation, and take part in a mandatory consular interview.

Countries and regions which require a visa for entry into Bahrain

The entry requirements are influenced by the traveler’s country of origin. Below, you will find a list of nations eligible for particular Bahrain visa types.

Electronic visa (e-Visa)

• Andorra
• Anguilla
• Argentina
• Austria
• Australia
• Aruba
• Azerbaijan
• Barbados
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Bahamas
• Canada
• Switzerland
• Ivory Coast
• Chile
• Cameroon
• China
• Colombia
• Cuba
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Germany
• Denmark
• Dominica
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• Estonia
• Egypt
• Spain
• Finland
• Falkland Islands
• France
• Gabon
• United Kingdom
• Grenada
• Georgia
• French Guiana
• Ghana
• Guadeloupe
• Greece
• Guyana
• Hong Kong
• Croatia
• Haiti
• Hungary
• Indonesia
• Ireland
• Israel
• India
• Iceland
• Italy
• Jamaica
• Jordan
• Japan
• Kenya
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• South Korea
• Cayman Islands
• Kazakhstan
• Saint Lucia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Latvia
• Morocco
• Monaco
• Macau
• Martinique
• Montserrat
• Malta
• Mauritius
• Mexico
• Malaysia
• Mozambique
• Netherlands
• Norway
• New Zealand
• Peru
• Pakistan
• Poland
• San Marino
• Senegal
• Suriname
• Caicos Islands
• Thailand
• Turkey
• Taiwan
• United States
• Uruguay
• Vatican City
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Venezuela
• British Virgin Islands
• South Africa
• Qatar
• Singapore
• Seychelles
• Portugal
• Sweden
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Russia
• Brunei Darussalam
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Romania
• Paraguay
• United States Virgin Islands
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• Isle of Man
• Saint Martin
• Puerto Rico
• Curacao
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Saint Barthelemy
• Sint Maarten
• Bonaire

Visa on arrival (VOA)

• Andorra
• Argentina
• Austria
• Australia
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Brunei
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Canada
• Switzerland
• Chile
• China
• Colombia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Germany
• Denmark
• Ecuador
• Estonia
• Spain
• Finland
• France
• United Kingdom
• Georgia
• Greece
• Guyana
• Hong Kong
• Croatia
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Israel
• India
• Iceland
• Italy
• Japan
• South Korea
• Kazakhstan
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Latvia
• Monaco
• Macau
• Malta
• Mexico
• Malaysia
• Netherlands
• Norway
• New Zealand
• Peru
• Poland
• San Marino
• Suriname
• Thailand
• Ukraine
• United States
• Uruguay
• Vatican City
• Venezuela
• Singapore
• Portugal
• Sweden
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Russia
• Romania
• Paraguay

Regular visa

• Afghanistan
• Albania
• Armenia
• Angola
• American Samoa
• Aland Islands
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Bangladesh
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• Benin
• Bermuda
• Bhutan
• Botswana
• Belarus
• Belize
• Cocos Islands
• Congo
• Central African Republic
• Republic of the Congo
• Cook Islands
• Costa Rica
• Serbia
• Christmas Island
• Djibouti
• Algeria
• Eritrea
• Ethiopia
• Fiji
• Micronesia
• Faroe Islands
• Georgia
• Gibraltar
• Greenland
• Gambia
• Guinea Bissau
• Guinea
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guatemala
• Guam
• Honduras
• India
• Iraq
• Iran
• Kyrgyzstan
• Cambodia
• Kiribati
• Comoros
• North Korea
• Laos
• Lebanon
• Sri Lanka
• Liberia
• Lesotho
• Libya
• Moldova
• Montenegro
• Madagascar
• Marshall Islands
• Macedonia
• Mali
• Myanmar
• Mongolia
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Mauritania
• Maldives
• Malawi
• Namibia
• New Caledonia
• Niger
• Norfolk Island
• Nigeria
• Nicaragua
• Nepal
• Nauru
• Niue
• Panama
• French Polynesia
• New Guinea
• Philippines
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• El Salvador
• Syria
• Swaziland
• Chad
• Togo
• Tajikistan
• Tokelau
• Timor Leste
• Turkmenistan
• Tunisia
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Tanzania
• Ukraine
• Uganda
• Uzbekistan
• Vietnam
• Vanuatu
• Samoa
• Yemen
• Mayotte
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• Palau
• Rwanda
• Sudan
• South Sudan
• Palestine
• South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
• Saint Pierre and Miquelon
• Guernsey
• Solomon Islands
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saint Helena
• Reunion
• Jersey
• Cape Verde
• British Indian Ocean Territory

Visa-free entry

• Kuwait
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia

Entry requirements for children

Minors are subject to the same rules of visa policy in Bahrain as adults. All children entering Bahrain (with the exception of nationals of visa-exemption countries) should have an approved visa – their parents or guardians must complete the visa application for them.

Transit information

If you plan on stopping in Bahrain while traveling to another destination, you must familiarize yourself with the requirements regarding transit. There is no need to apply for a visa to the Kingdom of Bahrain as long as your stay at the airport does not exceed 8 hours.

Important information

• If you plan a travel to Bahrain, you must apply for a suitable Tourist Visa. Three visas are available for foreign visitors – regular visa, visa on arrival, and electronic visa. If you are a national of the GCC country, you can enjoy visa-free entry to Bahrain.
• On arrival to Bahrain, immigration officers will ask you about your valid documents – a visa and a passport. Keep in mind that depending on your country of origin, it may be essential to prepare additional documentation.
• Children are not exempt from the visa requirement. Every minor entering Bahrain should have an approved visa – the visa registration process must be conducted prior to the travel by their parents or legal guardians.
• When you transit through Bahrain to another destination and you do not plan on spending more than 8 hours at the airport, there is no need to apply for a visa. You also cannot leave the airport area.