visa information
Virtually everyone needs a visa to enter Bahrain, except for G.C.C. Nationals but these are not usually difficult to obtain. Two-week visitors’ visas for Bahrain costing BD 5 are issued to most native-born nationals from Europe, Canada, Australia or New Zealand without problems either at Bahrain International Airport or on the King Fahad Causeway from Saudi Arabia. US citizens must pay either BD 10 for a Bahrain three-day visa or BD 15 for Bahrain seven days. British Nationals will be issued an automatic three month Visa, which costs BD 3 due to a reciprocal deal for Bahraini Nationals in the UK. Visitors able to prove that they are traveling on to Saudi Arabia pay only BD 2. It should not be assumed that Bahrain visas will necessarily be issued for the spouse and children of the worker. Some agreements with Middle-Eastern countries to abolish visas have been affected by new European Union arrangements, so check that your visas are in order for onward travel, including those of your spouse and children.
Foreign nationals may enter Bahrain with a tourist visa (for individuals or groups), 72-hour visa, 7-day visa, visit visa, business visa, family visa, dependent visa or an employment visa. In addition, all visitors who hold valid resident permits for Saudi Arabia can be issued a free 2-week visa. All applications for extension must be signed by a local sponsor. In the case of tourist visas, the hotel may act as a sponsor.
Visa Requirements for Bahrain:
- A Valid Passport (must be valid for at least 6 months after date of departure to Bahrain)
- Completed Form with one (1) Passport size photo attached (All applications for minors must be accompanied by a letter of consent from both parents and a photocopy of both parents’ passports)
- Cost of Visa application from Bahrain Embassy in USA
- For US and Canadian citizens: $50.00 for a multiple-entry visa valid for 5 years and allowing a maximum stay of up to 4 weeks per visit
- For British citizens: $55.00 for a multiple-entry visa valid for 5 years and allowing a maximum stay of up to 4 weeks per visit
- For citizens of the following countries (listed below): $30.00 for a single-entry visa valid for 3 months and allowing a maximum stay of 2 weeks (Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland)
- For citizens of all other countries: $30.00 for a single-entry visa valid for 3 months with a maximum stay of 2 weeks. Please allow at least 6-8 weeks to process
- For citizens of all of the above mentioned countries, visas are also available upon arrival to Bahrain
- Contact the Embassy Closest to you and organize where you should send your application
You will need to have the following letter:
- For an official or diplomatic visa: (Visa Fee Gratis): A letter (on official letterhead) from the U.S. Armed Services or State Department stating the purpose and duration of the visit
- For a business visa: An original letter (on company letterhead) stating the purpose and duration of the visit and the applicant’s responsibility for all travel expenses (photocopies are not accepted)
- For a tourist visa: A letter stating the purpose and duration of the visit and the applicant’s responsibility for all travel expenses
Please note that any incomplete or incorrect visa application will not be processed by the Embassies concerned
Kingdom of Bahrain eVisa System: http://www.f1visa.gov.bh/ or http://www.evisa.gov.bh
From this site you can:
- Check your eligibility for a Bahrain visa
- Apply on-line for certain types of visa (if available)
- Check the status of an eVisa application
For a copy of the form please click on the following link:
http://www.jobs-gfh.com/gfhouse_cms/images/resources/pdf5.pdf
For more information, please follow the link: http://www.newarabia.net/visa.htm