Living in Bahrain
Joyce Anne Agacer, Feb 28, 2005
Going to Bahrain
An unspoiled island nation with friendly and sophisticated people, Bahrain offers genuine hospitality combined with a well-developed infrastructure and an impressive range of hotels and tourism facilities. Hotels, offices, restaurants and taxis are all air-conditioned for a comfortable lifestyle.
Entering/Exiting Bahrain
A valid passport and visa are required. Two-week visas may be obtained for a fee upon arrival at the airport. Prior to travel, visitors may obtain from Bahraini embassies overseas five-year multiple entry visas valid for stays as long as one month. Visitors who fail to depart the country at the end of their authorized stay are fined. An AIDS test is required for individuals employed in jobs involving food handling, and patient or child care.
An exit tax is charged all travelers upon departure. Residents of Bahrain who intend to return must obtain a re-entry permit before departing.
VISAS
Validity: Three months from date of issue (Tourist); five years (Business).
Application to: Consulate (or Consular Section at Embassy)
Easy access to visas
Visas are required by all visitors to Bahrain- regardless of purpose of visit- except passport holders of the GCC States (Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates).
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.
Tourist visa
This type of visa can be obtained at the Bahrain International Airport or King Fahad causeway for citizens of the EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong and the United States. Visitors must have no criminal record or involvement in activities that could threaten public order or national security. They are not permitted to seek employment while in Bahrain.
Groups may obtain visas to Bahrain for a duration of up to 2 weeks, renewable once for a similar period. Visas are obtained through hotels, travel and tourist agencies and other firms licensed to conduct tourist activities in Bahrain.
72 hour visa/7 day visa
These visas can be obtained on arrival at the Bahrain International Airport or at the King Fahad Causeway. The visas are mainly intended for business visitors, trade delegations, and those attending exhibitions and seminars. In addition to a passport, the passenger must have a confirmed return/onward journey ticket for the visa application to be processed. Foreign nationals who have lived in a GCC state for six months are automatically granted a 72-hour visa on arrival.
Visit visa
This is issued to foreign nationals who intend to visit relatives or friends in Bahrain. The application for a visit visa must be signed by a local sponsor and presented to the GDIP. The following documents must be presented with the application:
- a letter from the applicant's sponsor;
- a copy of the applicant's CPR card;
- a copy of the visitor's passport.
The visit visa is normally valid for one month's stay in Bahrain, but can sometimes be extended to a maximum of three months. A longer stay may be granted in exceptional circumstances. A person on a visit visa is not allowed to work or engage in business activities during their stay in Bahrain.
Business visa
This type of visa is similar to a visit visa, but the purpose of the visit is business.
Family visa
This visa is granted to a wife and children of a resident employee. The visa holder may not take up employment in Bahrain but can stay as long as the resident employee stays.
Dependent visa
This visa is granted to the dependents of a Bahrain resident. The visa holder cannot take up employment in Bahrain but can stay as long as the head of the household stays.
Application requirements:
Entry visa:
(a) Valid passport.
(b) One passport-size photo.
(c) One completed application form.
(d) One registered, self-addressed envelope and cheque for £3 to cover return of passport if applying by post.
(e) Fee, payable in cash or by company cheques only.
(f) No Objection Certificate obtained by agent in Bahrain from the Ministry of Interior (only applies to certain nationals).
Tourist:
(a)-(e) and,
(f) Letter stating the purpose and duration of the visit and the applicant's responsibility for alltravel expenses.
Business:
(a)-(e) and,
(f) Letter from the company stating the purpose and duration of of the visit and the applicant's responsibility for all travel expenses.
Dual Nationality
The Bahrain government does not recognize dual nationality.
