Bahrain visas
Whether you need a visa to enter the Kingdom of Bahrain, and which route applies, depends on your nationality and the purpose of your trip — tourism, transit, work, study, family reunion, investment or settlement. Short visits are handled through the official eVisa portal and visa-on-arrival facilities, while residence, work and long-term routes are administered by the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA) at the Ministry of Interior, with employment permits regulated by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA). Always confirm the current rules for your nationality on the official NPRA and eVisa channels before travelling or applying.
Bahraini visa categories
Explore visa categories by the purpose of your trip.
- Visitor & short-stay visasShort stays in Bahrain — tourism, visiting family or friends, business visits and transit, plus any visa-free or e-visa options.4 visas
- Work visasComing to Bahrain to work — the employment and skilled-worker routes and the permits they require.1 visa
- Study visasStudying in Bahrain — student visas and permits for accepted students.1 visa
- Family visasJoining or sponsoring a partner, child or other relative in Bahrain.1 visa
- Business & investor visasInvesting, doing business or coming to Bahrain as a highly skilled individual.1 visa
- Residence & citizenshipLiving in Bahrain long term — residence routes and, where available, the path to citizenship.2 visas
Bahraini visa application at a glance
From start to finish in five simple steps.
- 01Choose the right visa
- 02Check eligibility & documents
- 03Apply online
- 04Provide biometrics
- 05Wait for a decision
Who needs a visa to Bahrain?
Bahrain requires visas for all visitors except GCC citizens (Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates). Bahraini visas have various categories: Visit goal. Sponsorship needed.
Entry into Bahrain
- The King Fahd Causeway between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain does not require PCR testing or quarantine for arrivals.
- Before visiting Bahrain, visitors should verify with their airline about PCR testing requirements.
- Travelers can check Bahrain's current COVID-19 judgments on the Ministry of Health Covid-19 Protocols page and the Bahrain News Agency for updates.
- Masks are optional indoors and outdoors.
- Those who test positive for COVID-19 in Bahrain must self-isolate at home or in a hotel for 7 days (if fully vaccinated) or 10 days (if unvaccinated).
Eligibility to apply for a Bahrain visa
GCC Visas are available to everyone with a GCC Resident Permit in their passport. At the Bahrain border, the Resident Permit must be at least six months old and valid for six more months.
- Passports must be valid for 6 months after arrival in Bahrain.
- Leave Bahrain with a confirmed onward ticket.
- You must be able to sustain yourself and any dependents while visiting.
Processing time for Bahrain visas
Applications can take 72 hours. A decision will be emailed to you. Do not assume your Visa will be issued if you plan to travel within 3 days of applying.
Who can visit Bahrain without a visa?
GCC citizens (Kuwait, Oman, UAE, and Saudi Arabia) can enter Bahrain visa-free. Visitors to Bahrain must have lived in a GCC country for at least three months and have a return visa.
What to do if your Bahrain visa is refused
If the applicant discovers an error in their application, they should contact the NPRA or reapply and pay the full Visa price. Reapplying requires a new application form, cost, and interview.
Bahrain — key facts
- Visa authority
- Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA), Ministry of Interior
- Application
- Online (in most cases)
- Biometrics
- Usually required
- Currency
- Bahraini Dinar (BHD)
- Time zone
- Arabian Standard Time (AST, UTC+3)
Bahraini visas — people also ask
Citizenship, Passports, and Residence (NPRA). It manages Bahrain's borders. This involves processing Bahraini visas.
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.