Visa information
Visas are required by all visitors to Bahrain except passport holders of the GCC States. All other visitors require one of the following visas:
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 BD 5 ($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.
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. Requirements:
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
BD 200 fee (for 2 years) and BD 10 payable monthly per registered employee
Residency Permit (Family Visa), Submitted to Labour Market Regulatory Authority and issued by General Department for Nationality & Passport Residence. Requirements:
Employee & family’s passport copies
Employee’s sponsorship letter
Employee’s contract
Family health record from an authorised clinic
BD 90 fee per applicant
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)
Free of charge