Bahrain Visa Information

To visit Bahrain one need to apply for visa at the designated embassies of Bahrain around the world. Only, the passport holders of AGCC (Arabian Gulf Cooperation Council) States namely nationals of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates can enter the kingdom of Bahrain without any visa. Nationals of all other states need to apply for a visa according to their purpose of visit and stay.

Foreign citizens may enter Bahrain with a tourist visa (for both individuals and groups), 72 - hour visa, 7 - day visa, visit visa, business visa, family visa, dependent visa, or an employment visa. All types of visas excluding certain categories of tourist visas obtained from Consulates abroad are to be submitted by local sponsors in Bahrain.

Tourist Visa

Tourist visas are available at the Bahrain International Airport or at the King Fahad Causeway for Citizens of the European Union, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan or Hong Kong. Residents of in the GCC for more than six months can also avail the same facility.

People visiting Bahrain in groupings are advised to get in touch with a Tourist Company to make the required visa arrangements. Such groups may acquire visa to Bahrain for a period of up to 2 weeks which is renewable once for a similar period. Tourists require to get entry visas through hotels, travel and tourist agencies and other firms, licensed to carry out tourist activities in Bahrain.

72-Hour Visa / 7-Day visa

These visas can be acquired on arrival at the Bahrain International Airport or at the King Fahad Causeway for business visits, trade delegations, attending exhibitions and seminars on the basis of passport and confirmed return or onward journey ticket. Foreign nationals who have lived for six months in a GCC State are automatically granted a 72-hour visa on arrival.

Visit Visa

Foreign nationals planning to visit Bahrain to meet their relatives and friends can apply for visit visa. A local sponsor must make the application for a visit visa to the General Directorate of Immigration and Passports (GDIP). It is normally valid for one month's stay in Bahrain, but subject to be extended up to a maximum of three months.

Business Visa

This type of visa is a similar to that of a visit visa, except that the purpose of the visit is business.

Family Visa

Granted to a wife and children joining the husband/father. The family visa holder can stay in Bahrain as long her husband stays, but can't take any gainful job there.