Visa policy of Bahrain

Visa policy of Bahrain
Most visitors to Bahrain may obtain a visa on arrival, or an eVisa prior to travel.
Citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries have freedom of movement in Bahrain and may enter with a national ID card.
Passport must be valid for 6 months from arrival and visitors must hold return or onward ticket.
Visa policy map
Reform
In October 2014, Bahrain implemented a new visa policy that makes it easier for incoming travelers to get Bahraini visas. Travelers must have a passport that is valid for at least six months and a visa to enter Bahrain. However, travelers from approved countries can now get their visas online or when they arrive in the country. Bahrain has issued more visas since the policy was implemented than it did before. Starting in April 2015, Bahrain began sending applicants confirmations of their application status by text messaging.
In November 2016, Bahrain adopted new visa policy rules defining a two-week allowed stay on a single entry visa and a 90-day stay on a multiple entry visa valid for one year. In addition, a multiple entry visa valid for three months allows stay for one month. Citizens of Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom may obtain a five-year multiple entry visa allowing a 90-day stay on each visit.
In October 2020, the United States and Bahrain introduced a reciprocal agreement for a 10-year multi-entry visa scheme for citizens of both countries which also unifies the processing fees and validity of the visa at 90-days per visit for a cost of $160 (60 Bahraini Dinars).
Visa exemption
Citizens of the following GCC countries do not require a visa to visit Bahrain and may use National ID Cards to enter the country:
Visa exemption also applies to holders of diplomatic and special passports of China, India, and Israel.
Visa exemption agreements were signed with Hungary and Indonesia, but they are not yet in force.
Visa on arrival or eVisa
Citizens of all countries may obtain a visa on arrival or online, with the exception of following countries:
Citizens of these countries must have a guarantor (Bahraini commercial entity or a Bahraini individual) to obtain a visa.
Visas can be either single entry or multiple entry, and must be used within 3 months from the date of approval. In case of a visa rejection, processing fee is non-refundable whereas visa fee is refundable under certain circumstances. However, the refund request must be initiated by the applicant.
Residents of GCC Countries
Legal residents of Gulf Cooperation Council countries, irrespective of their nationality and except Iranian citizens, may obtain a visa online or on arrival at any port of entry, subject to the following conditions:
Have held a residence permit issued by their country of residence for more than 3 months.
Residence permit is valid for at least another 3 months at the time of the visa application.
Occupation as per their resident permit must not be labourer.
Visa Application Requirements
Applicants must supply scanned copies of following documents along with their visa application:
Passport
Confirmed return air ticket
Hotel booking in Bahrain or ID card of relative/friend (in case of staying with them)
Bank statement under the visitor's name covering the last 3 months with an ending balance of at least the equivalent of US$ 1000
Applications are processed in approximately 3 to 5 working days.
COVID-19 pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, entry was not allowed for all persons, except GCC nationals, who had not previously visited the Schengen Area, China, Iran, Iraq, South Korea, United Kingdom or the United States.
See also
Visa requirements for Bahraini citizens
References
External links
Bahrain Electronic Visa Service
Bahrain
Foreign relations of Bahrain