Visa
Citizens of the USA, most EU countries, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland can obtain a visit visa on arrival for BD5 or US$13.25. This is normally for two weeks, but US and EU nationals can get three month visas for the same fee. Visit visas can be renewed once from within Bahrain, but any further renewals require exit and re-entry. Citizens from all other countries require visas prior to arrival in Bahrain. To live in Bahrain, all expatriates must be sponsored. The majority of expatriates coming to the country are sponsored by their employer for the purpose of work and residence.
Most people are recruited from overseas and your employer will arrange for your entry visa before you arrive. You must also have a work permit to work in Bahrain. People wishing to visit or work in Bahrain would now be able to know if they are eligible for a visa, apply and even view its status electronically without the need of being present in person. The Bahraini government is trying through these services to help people get their visa applications processed in the fastest time possible without any delays as requirements are clearly stated for the e-visa to be issued.
You can determine if you are eligible for any visa and what’s required online:
Online Visa eligibility – http://www.mofa.gov.bh/Default.aspx?tabid=147&language=en-US
In case the information is invalid or unacceptable, procedures can be done manually following the below mentioned steps.
Visiting and Tourist Visas
Two Weeks Tourist Visas
Tourist visas are issued for stays of two weeks to citizens of the European Union (EU), Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and the USA. Applicants must possess valid, up-to-date passports and a return or onward ticket. A visa fee of BD5 ($12) is applied and can be obtained at entry at the Bahrain International Airport.
Tourist visas don’t allow visitors to engage in any employment.
72 hour/7 day Visas
Obtained on arrival at the Bahrain International Airport or at the King Fahad Causeway. In addition to a passport, the passenger must have a confirmed return/onward journey ticket for the visa application to be processed.
CPR Card (Identification Card), submitted to and issued by Central Informatics Organization.
Requirements:
- Employee (or spouse) passport
- Sponsorship letter stating names of dependents
- Marriage certificate (for spouse) and birth certificate (for children)
- BD1 fee per applicant
Current Requirements to Live and Work in Bahrain
Anyone wishing to live and legally work in Bahrain will need to apply for the following visas and permits. Employers are advised to arrange and process necessary documents to the Labour Market Regulatory Authority prior to the arrival of their employees and dependents.
Work Visa, submitted to and issued by Labour Market Regulatory Authority.
1. Work visas are issued based on the Non-Objection Certificate (N.O.C) issued by the General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
2. Working Visas cannot be issued without taking prior approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Requirements:
- Visa application form
- Employee’s passport
- Passport size photograph
- Sponsorship Letter: a letter of employment indicating employer’s name/organization, commercial registration number, employee’s capacity, salary, contract duration, employee’s name, birth date and nationality
- Copy of the contract
- Health record from an authorised clinic
- BD100 fee
Residency Permit (Family Visa), submitted to Labour Market Regulatory Authority and issued by General Department for Nationality & Passport Residence.
Requirements:
- Application form
- Employee & family’s passport copies
- Employee’s sponsorship letter
- Employee’s contract
- Family health record from an authorised clinic
- BD22 fee per applicant
Investors
Bahrain’s Economic Development Board offers an investor facilitation service to first-time investors who are interested in setting up a business in Bahrain. This service includes acting as the first point of contact to the Kingdom, understanding the objectives of investors, providing them with information regarding the relevant procedures for setting up business, and helping them to form a network of contacts in Bahrain.
Passport Services
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain and its missions abroad offer a number of passport-related services.
Listed here are the general procedures you can expect per service, however be sure to review the website of, or contact, the mission you are visiting as requirements and fees do vary.
To renew a passport:
- Complete the passport renewal request form and attach (1) current 4×6 photograph with white background
- Visit your nearest consulate or embassy, with a letter addressed to the Head of the Mission requesting a passport extension to enable you to travel.
- You will then be asked to send the request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to receive approval.
Note: Passports with 10-year validity or older cannot be renewed and must be replaced
To replace or renew a passport of a child:
- Complete the replacement or renewal form and attach a passport accompanied by (2) 4×6 photograph with white background. Applications for replacement should also attach 10 BD in fees.
- The father is required to write a formal letter addressed to the Director of the General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence as well as another letter to the head of the Mission requesting the replacement or renewal
- The embassy or consulate will send the documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for approval
To replace a passport:
- Complete the passport replacement form and attach the original passport with (2) current 4×6 photographs with white background, and 10 BD in fees for passport replacement.
- Visit your nearest embassy in person and make a written request. In the event you are in a country or city with no mission headquartered nearby please do call the nearest mission as this requirement may occasionally be waived
- Draft a formal letter to the head of the mission requesting the issuance of a new passport
- All documents will be sent by the embassy or consulate together with the formal letter of replacement request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which in turn will transfer the request to the General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence
In the event that your passport is lost or stolen:
- Immediately go to the nearest police station and get a formal lost or stolen passport report
- Provide a written letter addressed to the Head of the Mission requesting the replacement of a lost or stolen passport.
- Expect to pay 50 Bahraini Dinar in fees for this service
Note: You must show up in person to the General Directorate of Nationality Passports and Residence in Bahrain in order for a new passport to be issued.
The embassy or consulate will issue passage document (Laissez Passer) valid only for one trip to Bahrain in order to facilitate your entry