Bahrain Visa Types

Visa services are mandatory for all foreign citizens (except for those of the Gulf Cooperation Council member states and British citizens) willing to go to Bahrain.

Each traveler may choose a type of visa to Bahrain that fits him or her best, as there are a number of them. Visas vary according to the purpose they serve, permitted period of stay, number of entries, application method, and whether they must be sponsored or not.

People traveling to Bahrain for tourism and business purposes may apply for an eVisa, while for an employment permit they must attend an embassy or consulate.

There are 7 Bahrain visa types - an eVisa, tourist, visitor, 72-hour & seven-day, business, work, and family visa.

Read the article to know more about each type of visa to Bahrain and what is needed to apply.

e-Visa

Bahrain eVisa is an electronic visa implemented by the Bahrain government to enable foreign citizens to travel to Bahrain with a simplified application procedure.

An applicant needs to fulfill several easy steps: fill out the application form providing personal information, cover the visa fee and get approval on email address.

Bahrain online visa lets travelers visit the country for tourism and business purposes and comes as a single and multiple-entry permit. A single-entry eVisa permits one to enter Bahrain once and be there for 2 weeks (14 days).

A multiple-entry online visa for a stay of 30 days is valid for 3 months (90 days) and authorizes numerous entries into the country. A 90-day Bahrain eVisa is issued for unlimited visits during the validity period of one year.

Bahrain electronic visa holders must enter the country within 90 days from the date of application approval.

Tourist Visa 

A tourist visa allows citizens of the European Union, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, and the USA to visit Bahrain for tourism purposes and stay there for 2 weeks.

To apply for this type of visa, it is necessary to have a valid, up-to-date passport and a return or onward ticket. A tourist visa doesn't give its holders a permit to get employed.

Visitor Visa  

Foreigners who want to travel to Bahrain with a visitor visa need to have a sponsorship from a Bahrain national. A sponsor should apply to the Directorate of Immigration and Passports on the visitor’s behalf.

A visitor Bahrain visa stays effective for one month (30 days). A visitor cannot take up any paid or unpaid employment during his or her visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

72-Hour & Seven-Day Visa 

72-hour & seven-day visa is designed for those willing to go to Bahrain for business visits for a short time. It can be obtained on arrival at such entry points as the Bahrain International Airport or at the King Fahad Causeway.

The visa application requires an effective passport that stays valid for at least 6 months from the arrival date and a confirmed return or onward ticket.

Business Visa 

A business Bahrain visa is intended for those travelers who wish to visit Bahrain for business needs but for a longer period of time.

Bahrain visa for business purposes stays effective for up to 6 months while the permitted period of visit depends on the type of the trip.

In order for the application to be processed, an applicant must attach the following documents: a passport, photos, a letter from an employer specifying the purpose of the trip, and a "letter of no objection" or a "no objection certificate" (NOC) from a Bahrain sponsor.

Work Visa 

A person who plans to take any kind of employment in Bahrain must obtain a work Bahrain visa. This Bahrain visa also entitles its holders to reside in the country and stay effective for one-two years.

A work visa application demands a lot of paperwork and requires attending a Bahrain embassy in person. The requested documents include:

• application form
• passport
• photograph
• sponsorship letter (must contain such information as employer’s name and organization, commercial registration number, employee’s capacity, salary, contract duration, employee’s name, nationality, and date of birth)
• copy of the contract
• medical examination

Family Visa 

A family visa (residence permit) can be obtained by persons whose family members are working in Bahrain. This type of visa entitles them to reside in Bahrain during the period of employment.

The papers necessary for a family visa are the visa application form, employee and family’s passport copies, employee's sponsorship letter, employee’s contract, and family medical examination from an authorized clinic.

Family members are not allowed to be employed under this visa. To get the ability to work, they need to get an appropriate work visa.