Bahrain Visa Types and Requirements

The Kingdom of Bahrain is not on the bucket list for most tourists. This is usually because people don’t know much about Bahrain. It is an island country made of 33 islands and is located between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. It is steeped in history, culture, and architecture. It’s the perfect holiday getaway for UAE citizens and residents, as it’s just an hour away by flight. Many people also travel to Bahrain to visit their family and friends living and working there. You may also want to visit Bahrain for work purposes. Whatever your reason, you will need to get a visa first. Here, we have all the information regarding the Bahrain visa.

What is a Bahrain Visa?

A Bahrain visa is a travel document that allows you to enter Bahrain and live there for a specific period. The number of days you can live in the country depends on the type of Bahrain visa you are applying for. The type of visa you need will depend on the purpose of your visit. But before you look at the types of Bahrain visas, you should know whether you need a visa to visit the country.

Do You Need a Bahrain Visa?

UAE nationals or citizens do not need a visa to enter or stay in Bahrain. Bahrain and UAE are GCC countries. Passport holders of GCC countries do not need a visa to visit and stay in any GCC member nations. Citizens of all other countries in the world need to get a Bahrain visa. Some countries are eligible for a visa on arrival, while most other countries need to apply for a Bahrain visa online.

Who is eligible for a Bahrain Visa?

You need to fulfill the following criteria to be eligible to apply for a Bahrain visa:

• The country you belong to should be approved for a Bahrain visa
• The reason for visiting Bahrain should be a legal one
• You should not have any criminal record in your country of citizenship or residence
• You should be free from any contagious diseases
• Your passport should not expire within six months of your plan to return from Bahrain
• Your bank account should have enough resources to support your stay in Bahrain.

What are the Types of Bahrain Visas?

Here are the different Bahrain visa types available:

Tourist Visa: A Bahrain tourist visa is also called a visit visa. This visa is for tourists who want to travel the country. You can apply for this visa to visit your family and friends. The single-entry tourist visa is valid for 30 days, while the multiple-entry tourist visa is valid for a year.

Business Visa: The business visa is for those who want to visit Bahrain for a short term completely for business purposes. This visa will allow you to attend meetings, conferences, seminars, etc. You can set up your business or work with this visa. This Bahrain business visa has the same validity as a visit visa.

Work Visa: A work visa is a document that allows you to take up employment in Bahrain. The work visa application must go through a sponsor or an employer wanting to hire you. A work visa is also available for a specific period (usually two years) and can be renewed if your contract with the Bahrain company continues.

Residency Visa: A residency visa is for those who want to live and work in Bahrain for a long time. This visa is issued for those who have found employment in Bahrain. It is issued for two years and can be renewed.

How to Apply for a Bahrain Visa?

There are two ways of applying for a Bahrain visa. One is getting a visa on arrival, and the other is applying online. Visa on arrival is available to citizens of some countries like the USA, Canada, UK, etc. If you belong to one of the visa-on-arrival countries, you can get a visa when you reach Bahrain airport. The visa on arrival is issued for 15-30 days. You will need to produce the following documents to get your Bahrain visa on arrival:

• Your original passport has a validity of a minimum 6 months
• A passport-size photograph
• Confirmed return flight ticket
• Last three months’ bank statements
• Accommodation proof

If you do not belong to one of the countries eligible for a visa on arrival, you can apply for a visit or business visa online. The application can be sent online by attaching the required supporting documents. Here are the online Bahrain visa requirements:

• A scanned copy of your passport's biodata page (make sure it has the required validity)
• Digital copy of your passport-size photo
• A scanned copy of your return flight ticket
• Accommodation proof
• Scanned copies of your bank statements (last three months)
• Scanned copy of UAE residence visa (valid for at least three months from the date of returning from Bahrain)

The documents are sent along with a visa application form. The form should be filled in correctly. There should be no errors, as mistakes in the application form are common reasons for visa rejection. You will also need to pay a visa fee. Once your visa application is processed and all the papers are in order, you will receive your Bahrain visa via email.

Bahrain online visas and visas on arrival are short-term visas. Work visas and resident visas are only available to those who have already found work in the country. These must be applied through your employer or sponsor in Bahrain. For Bahrain online visas, you can consult a trusted visa agent or company who will apply for the visa on your behalf.