Passport and visa regulations
Nationalities
| Passport required | visa required | Return ticket required | |
| Turkey | Yes | Yes/1/2 | Yes |
| Other EU countries | Yes | Yes/1/2 | Yes |
| Switzerland | Yes | Yes/1/2 | Yes |
| Austria | Yes | Yes/1/2 | Yes |
| Germany | Yes | Yes/1/2 | Yes |
Passport information
Generally required, must be valid for at least 6 months when you leave the country.
Visa information
Visa is generally required except for citizens of: Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. [1] Visa on arrival Short break and business visas are available at Manama Airport for stays of up to 14 days (single entry) or up to 30 or 90 days respectively for citizens of the following countries listed in the table above : (A one-time extension of 14 days is possible at the General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence, Diplomatic Area, PO Box 331, Manama (Tel: (017) 39 97 07). This requires the signature of a local sponsor, eg a Bahraini national or hotels, required (a) EU countries and Switzerland (b) Turkey. Important Notes: Visa on arrival is generally only available for nationals traveling to Bahrain from their own country. Non-German nationals residing in Germany are therefore recommended to inquire about entry formalities at the relevant diplomatic mission before travelling. Germans who are not resident in Germany must also apply for a visa for Bahrain before entering the country. Note: A pre-arranged traditional visa or e-Visa is recommended because visa issuance is at the discretion of the immigration officer and it expedites entry at the airport. [2] Pre-entry e-Visa Citizens of the following, Countries mentioned in the table above can apply for a visa online as a tourist or as a business traveler on the website www.evisa.gov.bh (The so-called eVisa is valid for 30 days from the date of issue and entitles you to a stay of 14 days, unless otherwise stated A fee-based extension of 14 days is possible.): (a) Germany, Austria, Switzerland and all other EU countries. (b) Turkey.
Note on the visa
Due to delays in immigration and also inexplicable refusals at Bahrain airport, travelers are advised to obtain a traditional visa or e-Visa in advance of travel and not to resort to the visa on arrival option leaving.
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Costs
E-Visa: BD 25 (visa fee) plus BD 4 (processing fee) = BD 29 or approx. €68 (depending on the exchange rate). Visa on arrival: – Single entry for a stay of up to 14 days: 5 BD or 13-15 € (depending on the exchange rate). – For a stay of up to 30 days: 25 BD or 54-56 € (depending on the exchange rate). – For a stay of up to 90 days, valid for 1 year: 80 BD or approx. 190 €.
Visa types and costs
Visit, Business, Tourist and Transit Visa.
Validity
Single entry: 1 month for a stay of up to 14 days (extendable). E-Visa: 1 month for a stay of up to 14 days (extendable). Visa on arrival: 14 days stay (extendable); 30 days stay (valid for 3 months, multiple entries). 90 days stay (valid for 1 year, multiple entries).
Transit
Transit passengers who fly on within 8 hours or with the next connection, have valid documents and tickets for the onward journey and do not leave the transit area do not need a transit visa. In Germany: Online (www.evisa.gov.bh) or upon arrival at the airport. In Austria and Switzerland: At the responsible consular representation, online or when immigrating at the airport. A prior electronic visa application speeds up the processing at the airport.
Application required
(a) 1 application form. (b) 1 recent passport photo. (c) Passport valid for at least 6 months upon departure. (d) If the application is submitted by post, a stamped registered mail return envelope for the delivery of the visaed passport. (e) Fee (cash upon application or company check). Tourist visa: (a)-(e), (f) Return ticket or booking confirmation. Business visa: (h) Letter of assignment from own company stating the duration and purpose of the trip with a guarantee for the entire cost of the trip. Documents for a visa upon entry Passport, return or onward flight ticket, fee in cash (see visa), sufficient funds, possibly valid documents for onward travel. Documents for an e-Visa (a) Passport, which is still valid for at least 6 months upon entry; (b) proof of accommodation (e.g. hotel booking); (c) Return or Onward Ticket.
Temporary Residence
A long-term visa, valid for one to two years, is issued if the employer in Bahrain applies for a permit (usually “Sponsored Visa”) for the employee.
Processing time
E-Visa: up to 72 hours
Proof of sufficient funds
Foreigners must have sufficient funds during their stay.
Legally Required Registration
Bahrain work permit and visa holders must register within 30 days of arrival.
Documents required upon entry
(a) Return/onward travel tickets, visa if applicable. (b) Sufficient Funds. (c) Proof of accommodation (e.g. hotel booking).
Entry with children
German: Machine-readable children’s passport with photograph or your own passport. Austrians: Own passport. Swiss: Own passport. Turks: Own passport. Note: The same visa regulations apply to children as to their parents. Since June 27, 2012, children need their own travel document (passport / children’s passport) to travel abroad (also within the EU). Entries of children in the parental passport are no longer possible.
Entry with pets
Dogs and cats from continental Europe are not allowed to enter Bahrain.
