Bahrain Travel Guide

Bahrain — Passport and Visa Information

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Passports

Country	Passport Required	Visa Required	Return Ticket Required
Other EU	Yes	Yes/1	Yes
USA	Yes	Yes/1	Yes
Canadian	Yes	Yes/1	Yes
Australian	Yes	Yes/1	Yes
British	Yes	Yes/1	Yes

Valid passport for at least six months from date of arrival required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except the following:
(a) transit passengers continuing their journey by the first connecting flight, provided holding confirmed tickets and appropriate travel documents and remaining within the transit area.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.

Visa Note

1. Nationals of EU countries (except nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic and Slovenia), Australia, Canada and USA may obtain visas on arrival at Bahrain International Airport or King Fahad Causeway if holding valid passports and return/onward tickets for tourist or business stays of up to two weeks. The fee is approximately US$50. If working for a media company (eg a newspaper or TV company) a special invitation from the Bahrain authorities may be required.

Types of Visa and Cost

E-visa: £20 (two-week, single-entry), renewable for two further weeks once in Bahrain available to nationals of EU countries (except nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic and Slovenia), Australia, Canada and USA. Tourist: £10(two week single-entry), renewable for two further weeks once in Bahrain, at the General Directorate of Immigration and Passports, Manama. Tourist multilple-entry is £40. Business: £40 (four-week, multiple-entry), only available to British, Canadian and US nationals. GCC e-visas for residents of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE. are now available for either three or seven days.

Validity

Three months from date of issue (Tourist); five years (Business). A three day GCC e-visa cost BH$12 and a seven day costs $17.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy).

Note: (a) No Objection Certificates are obtainable through various hotels, travel agencies and other companies licensed to carry out tourist activities in Bahrain. Organized groups are charged a fee of BHD5 per person (approximately US$13). Non-British students must obtain and validate an NOC from a Bahraini resident (relative, friend or hotel spokesperson) and also submit a letter from university detailing the student status to accompany it. Long-term business visas should be arranged by the employing company in Bahrain. (b) Some visitors can now apply for an electronic visa in Bahrain, through the website www.evisa.gov.bh. This has the added benefit of being 24-hour and enabling secure online credit payment and multiple applications, if necessary.

Working Days Required

Two to three.

Travel Warnings

As of 16 March 2011, The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised against all travel to Bahrain until further notice due to the intensification of protests and the volatile political situation. Those without a pressing reason to remain should leave by commercial means as soon as it is safe to do so. British nationals in Bahrain should remain home until further notice.

Most visits to Bahrain are trouble-free but travelers should be aware of the threat from terrorism. Terrorists continue to issue statements threatening to carry out attacks in the Gulf region. These include references to attacks on Western interests, including residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests.

Travelers should review their security arrangements carefully and remain vigilant, particularly in public places. Travelers should also avoid all public demonstrations and gatherings in Bahrain, some of which have turned violent. Keep in mind that Bahrain operates a zero-tolerance policy to drinking/driving and views all alcohol related incidents dimly. Travelers charged with this offense can be denied boarding, and may be detained and fined by Bahraini Public Security.

Please be aware that from 1 September 2006, the local weekend in Bahrain has changed from Thursday and Friday to Friday and Saturday. Schools and local businesses will change over to the new weekend.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health Care

There is a comprehensive medical service, with general and specialized hospitals in the main towns. An emergency health service is provided free of charge or at a nominal fee. Pharmacies are well-equipped with supplies.