Before you submit your application for a visa, you need to know the different Bahrain Visa types.
The Bahrain embassy and consulate issue visas based on the purpose of the traveler’s trip, so you need to be clear about why you want to visit the Kingdom. Keep reading to learn more about the Bahrani Visa policy and the different visa types available.
Who Needs A Visa To Enter The Kingdom of Bahrain?
Most visitors, except those from fellow GCC countries, need visas to enter Bahrain. The GCC comprises Gulf countries, namely Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and, of course, the Kingdom of Bahrain. These countries have liberalization agreements allowing citizens to enter any country without visas. As for other non-GCC citizens, they need visas to enter Bahrain.
Types of Bahrain Visa
Here are the types of visas issued by the government of Bahrain.
Tourist Visa: the tourist visa is issued to foreigners from non-GCC countries visiting for tourism or other short-term engagements like family visits or vacations. This visa does not allow the holder to work during their time in the country.
Business Visa: Also a short-term visa, this one is issued to persons coming for conferences, business meetings, seminars, etc. It is not a work visa, so the visitor should refrain from earning a wage by offering services.
Work Visa: A work visa is issued to foreigners coming to work for a company long term, and it grants the holder the legal right to work in the country.
Student Visa: International students enrolled in a university in Bahrain for a year or more qualify for this visa.
Family Visa: This visa is issued to those with family members who have a residency permit in Bahrain so they can visit them.
The documents for these visas will be determined by the Bahraini embassy in your country, and they differ. Contact the embassy to be aware of the requirements before applying for it.
Other Types Of Bahrain Visa
There are other types of Bahrain Visas aside from the ones listed above.
Visa On Arrival
A visa on arrival is issued to visitors from selected countries, most of which are Western countries. People from these countries can land at the airport and get a visa. The officials will offer them a form that they must complete, and they must also pay the visa fee. After paying the fee, the visa will be issued to them for 15-30 days.
Documents For Bahrain Visa On Arrival
Valid passport with a further 6 months eligible beyond the entry date
A passport photograph
Round-trip flight ticket
Bank statement for the last three months
Proof of accommodation
Bahrain e visa
The other type of visa is the electronic visa issued online. The government initiated this visa program to decongest their foreign missions and make it easy for applicants to get visas. Visiting the embassy or submitting hard copies of your travel documents is unnecessary. The whole process is executed online, and the visa will be issued within days. Here is how to apply for an e-visa online.
Log onto VisaHQ
Select Bahrain as your destination
Select your country as your citizenship
Fill out the application form
Attach the travel documents
Pay the visa fee
Submit for approval
You need the following documents for the application
Valid passport (copy of bio-data page)
Digital passport photograph
Bank statement for three months
Proof of accommodation
Return flight ticket
Visa fee receipt
Bank card
Bahrain Visa Cost
The average cost of the e-visa is BD29, while the visa on arrival is between BD 25-30, and a conventional visa is about BD 25. Kindly note that this fee is not refundable and does not guarantee the visa if you don’t meet the standard requirements. The immigration officers at the entry point also have the right to deny a visitor entry if they can not clearly answer why they are coming into the country.
Visa Issue Conditions
There are some conditions you must meet before the visa is issued to you and how you are expected to conduct yourself throughout your stay in the Kingdom of Bahrain. They are as follows.
You can only apply for a visa on arrival in Bahrain if you are eligible; other visas must be applied for outside the country before arrival
Each visa has its validity that must not be abused
Working in Bahrain without a work visa is Illegal
Drinking of alcohol and indecent dressing is not encouraged
Drug trafficking is Illegal and attracts harsh penalties
Only valid documents must be used for the visa application
These are the rules covering all Bahrain visa types issued by the authorities. For online e-visas, use VisaHQ portal.