Despite being the smallest gulf state, Bahrain has long been known for being one of the most enticing, exhilarating and forward-thinking, long attracting travellers and ex-pats thanks to its beautiful coastline, warm and welcoming community and vibrant retail, dining and nightlife. Visitors to the Kingdom will find a luxurious hotel scene – with a palatial new opening and a rise in boutique offerings – and a growing restaurant industry, which includes some of the world’s most famous celebrity chefs, MENA’s 50 Best establishments and a burgeoning homegrown foodie scene. Home to the bustling travel hub Bahrain International Airport and the home of Gulf Air, getting to Bahrain is easy, and luckily for UAE travellers, so is getting a visa. Here’s all you need to know about the Bahrain visa for UAE residents.
Do you need a Bahrain visa for UAE residents?
The excellent news is UAE nationals (and all GCC nationals) do not need a visa to enter the Kingdom of Bahrain, but residents of other nationalities are required to obtain a visa. Bahrain offers both e-visas and visa on arrival to travellers, and the visa type you need depends on your nationality. According to Bahrain’s e-visa website, 209 countries are eligible for visa-on-arrival, and GCC residents are able to acquire a two-week single entry or three-month multiple visa on arrival.
Countries open for visa-on-arrival include :
Europe: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Falkland Islands, Finland, France, French Guyana, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Asia: Brunei, China, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Japan, Kazakhstan, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand.
America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Oceania: Australia and New Zealand.
Travellers looking to apply for a visa on arrival will need a passport valid for at least six months from arrival into Bahrain, return airline tickets, proof of accommodation and in some cases, three months of bank statements with a balance of no less than USD 800 (BHD300).
Those looking for other forms of visas will need to use the country’s e-visa platform, which offers two-week single entry, one-month multiple entry, three-month multiple entry and one-year multiple entry visas. All visas have their own requirements, so checking the official Bahrain visa portal is imperative.
Bahrain e-visas
Citizens from 114 countries can obtain an e-visa before entering the Kingdom of Bahrain, which can be applied for on the official website. Both general visit visas (for tourism, business meetings and family visits) and investment visas are available. Requirements differ per visa, but a flight return ticket, photocopy or photo of your passport, photo page and copy of hotel booking or proof of accommodation are generally needed for e-visas. Many e-visa applicants must also have a copy of three months of bank statements under their name showing available funds of at least USD 1,000.
Citizens of Iran, Kosovo and North Korea are not eligible for e-visa or visa-on-arrival and must have a guarantor (Bahraini commercial entity or a Bahraini individual) to obtain a visa.
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