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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.
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