Whether you need a visa to enter Bahrain depends largely on your nationality. Bahrain operates one of the most open visa systems in the Gulf, with most visitors eligible to obtain a visa on arrival or an e-Visa before traveling. This comprehensive guide covers Bahrain’s entry requirements for every category of traveler.

Regardless of nationality, all visitors must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival, and must possess a confirmed return or onward ticket.

1. GCC Citizens — No Visa Required (Freedom of Movement)

Citizens of the following Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries enjoy full freedom of movement in Bahrain and may enter without any visa. They do not even need a passport — a valid national ID card is sufficient for entry:

• Kuwait
• Qatar
• Oman
• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates

Note: There was a period during which Qatari citizens were banned from entering Bahrain (and Saudi Arabia and the UAE) unless married to a local resident, due to a diplomatic dispute. This restriction has since been resolved.

2. Holders of Diplomatic or Official/Service Passports — Visa-Free Entry

In addition to ordinary GCC citizens, holders of diplomatic or official/service passports from certain countries may enter Bahrain visa-free for varying periods:

90-Day Visa-Free Stay (Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders)

• China
• France
• Greece
• Israel
• Japan
• Jordan

30-Day Visa-Free Stay (Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders)

• Botswana
• Hungary
• India
• Indonesia
• Italy
• Kazakhstan
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• Sri Lanka
• Tajikistan

This exemption applies only to holders of non-ordinary (diplomatic, official, or service) passports. Citizens of these countries traveling on regular passports must obtain a visa on arrival or e-Visa.

3. Most Countries — Visa on Arrival or e-Visa

Citizens of the vast majority of countries around the world are eligible to obtain either a Visa on Arrival (upon reaching Bahrain’s ports of entry) or an e-Visa online before departure. This is the standard entry pathway for most international visitors.

Three countries are exceptions to this general rule and require a guarantor to obtain a visa (see Section 4):

Available Visa Types & Costs

The table below summarizes the visa options and their associated fees:

Visa Type	Validity	Entries	Stay Duration	Price (BHD)
eVisa	2 weeks	Single	2 weeks	9 BHD
eVisa	3 months	Multiple	1 month	16 BHD
eVisa	1 year	Multiple	90 days	44 BHD
eVisa	5 years*	Multiple	90 days	64 BHD
Visa on Arrival	2 weeks	Single	2 weeks	5 BHD
Visa on Arrival	3 months	Multiple	1 month	12 BHD

* Citizens of some countries are not eligible for the 5-year e-Visa.

All visas — whether single or multiple entry — must be used within 3 months from the date of approval. In the event of a visa rejection, the processing fee is non-refundable, while the visa fee may be refunded in certain circumstances, provided the refund request is initiated by the applicant.

e-Visa Application Requirements

Applicants for an e-Visa must submit scanned copies of the following documents:

• A valid passport
• Confirmed return air ticket
• Hotel booking confirmation in Bahrain, or the ID card of a relative/friend if staying with them
• Bank statement covering the past 3 months, with an ending balance of at least the equivalent of USD 1,000

Applications are typically processed in approximately 3 to 5 working days. Since April 2015, applicants also receive application status updates via SMS text message.

4. Countries Requiring a Guarantor

Citizens of the following three countries cannot obtain a visa on arrival or an e-Visa independently. They must have a guarantor — either a Bahraini commercial entity or a Bahraini individual — to obtain entry clearance:

• Iran
• Kosovo
• North Korea

This requirement applies to all ordinary passport holders from these nations, regardless of the purpose of travel.

5. Special Arrangement: United States Citizens

In October 2020, the United States and Bahrain introduced a reciprocal agreement establishing a 10-year multiple-entry visa for citizens of both countries. Key details:

• Validity: 10 years
• Entry type: Multiple entry
• Stay per visit: Up to 90 days
• Cost: USD 160 (equivalent to 60 Bahraini Dinars)

This unified arrangement standardizes both the processing fees and visa validity for American citizens and Bahraini citizens traveling in either direction.

6. United Kingdom, Canada, and Ireland — 5-Year Multiple Entry Visa

Citizens of the United Kingdom, Canada, and Ireland are eligible for a special 5-year multiple entry e-Visa, which allows a stay of up to 90 days on each visit. This was introduced as part of Bahrain’s November 2016 visa policy reforms.

7. Residents of GCC Countries (Any Nationality)

Legal residents of GCC countries may obtain a Bahrain visa online or on arrival, regardless of their own nationality — with the exception of Iranian nationals living in GCC countries. To qualify, the following conditions must be met:

• The applicant must have held a valid residence permit issued by their GCC country of residence for more than 3 months.
• The residence permit must remain valid for at least another 3 months at the time of the visa application.
• The occupation listed on the residence permit must not be classified as “labourer”.

8. Quick Summary by Traveler Category

The table below provides a quick-reference summary of visa requirements across all traveler categories:

Traveler Category	Visa Requirement	Notes
GCC Citizens (Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE)	No visa required	National ID card accepted
Diplomatic/Official passport holders (select countries)	No visa required	Up to 90 or 30 days depending on country
US Citizens	Visa on arrival / eVisa	10-year multi-entry available; 90 days/visit; USD 160
UK, Canada, Ireland Citizens	eVisa	5-year multi-entry available; 90 days/visit
Most nationalities	Visa on arrival or eVisa	Various durations and costs available
Iran, Kosovo, North Korea Citizens	Visa with guarantor required	Must have Bahraini sponsor
GCC Residents (non-Iranian)	Visa on arrival / eVisa	Residence permit must be 3+ months old and valid

Important Notice

Visa policies are subject to change. Always verify current requirements with the official Bahrain e-Visa portal (evisa.gov.bh) or your nearest Bahraini embassy before traveling. All passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in Bahrain, and visitors must hold a confirmed return or onward ticket.