Bahrain eVisa FAQ

A Bahrain eVisa is an electronic travel authorization that allows eligible foreign nationals to apply for and receive a visa to enter Bahrain entirely online. Unlike traditional visas that require visiting an embassy or consulate, the eVisa can be obtained through the official portal at evisa.gov.bh from anywhere in the world. Once approved, the visa is linked electronically to your passport number – no physical sticker or stamp is needed. The eVisa serves as your official entry permit to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Most foreign nationals need a visa to enter Bahrain. Citizens of over 200 countries are eligible to apply for an eVisa. The main exceptions are:

• GCC nationals (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar) who can enter visa-free with a national ID
• Visa-free nationalities with bilateral agreements allowing short-term entry without a visa

All other nationalities must obtain either an eVisa before travel or a visa on arrival at the border. The eVisa is recommended because it guarantees approval before you travel, eliminating the risk of being denied entry at the border.

Check your specific eligibility on the official evisa.gov.bh portal by selecting your nationality.

The key differences are:

eVisa:

• Applied for and approved before traveling
• Guarantees entry approval in advance
• No queue at immigration for visa processing
• Applied for online at evisa.gov.bh
• Payment made online by credit/debit card

Visa on arrival:

• Obtained at the airport or border crossing upon arrival
• Approval not guaranteed until you arrive
• Requires queuing at immigration (15-45 minutes)
• Processed in person at the border
• Payment at the counter (card or cash)

Both options have the same fees and visa conditions. The eVisa is recommended because it removes uncertainty and saves time at the airport.

Validity depends on the visa type:

• Tourist visa (single entry): Valid for 14 days from the date of issue
• Tourist visa (multiple entry): Valid for 90 days (3 months)
• Business visa (single entry): Valid for 3 months
• Business visa (multiple entry): Valid for 1 year
• Transit visa: Valid for 48 hours from entry
• Family visit visa: Valid for 1-3 months

Important: Validity refers to the window in which you must enter Bahrain. Your maximum allowed stay may be shorter. For example, a 90-day valid visa might only allow 30-day stays. Check the specific terms on your eVisa approval document.

The application process involves 5 steps:

• Create an account at evisa.gov.bh with your email address
• Complete the application form with personal details, passport information, and travel plans
• Upload documents including passport scan and passport photo
• Pay the fee using a credit or debit card
• Submit and wait for approval (3-5 business days standard, 24-48 hours express)

The entire process takes about 15-20 minutes if you have all documents ready. For a detailed walkthrough, see our how to apply for Bahrain eVisa guide.

Required documents for all applicants:

• Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity
• Passport scan – clear color scan of the bio-data page (JPEG or PDF, under 2MB)
• Passport photo – recent, white background, 35mm x 45mm (JPEG or PNG, under 2MB)

Additional documents by visa type:

• Tourist: Hotel booking, return flight ticket
• Business: Invitation letter from Bahrain company, employer letter
• Family visit: Invitation letter, proof of relationship, host’s residency copy
• Transit: Onward flight ticket to a third country

Financial proof (bank statement) may be requested but is not always required upfront.

Standard processing takes 3-5 business days. Express processing (for an additional fee of BHD 5-10) takes 24-48 hours.

Business days in Bahrain are Sunday through Thursday. Friday and Saturday are weekends and do not count toward processing time. Public holidays in Bahrain also pause processing.

Most straightforward applications are approved within 3 business days. Applications requiring additional security screening or with incomplete documentation may take longer.

Fees by visa type:

Fees are charged in Bahraini Dinar (BHD). Your bank may apply currency conversion fees. All fees are non-refundable once paid, even if the application is rejected.

The eVisa portal accepts:

• Visa credit and debit cards
• Mastercard credit and debit cards
• Some regional payment options (varies by country)

Not accepted: cash, bank transfers, PayPal, cryptocurrency.

Ensure your card is enabled for international transactions before starting the application. Using a card with no foreign transaction fees can save you money on currency conversion.

No, visa fees are non-refundable once payment is processed. This applies even if:

• Your application is rejected
• You decide not to travel
• Your travel plans change
• You applied for the wrong visa type

The only exception is if you were charged in error (e.g., duplicate payment). In that case, contact the NPRA through the portal’s support system with your payment receipt and application reference number.

If your charged amount is slightly higher than the listed fee, the difference is likely due to:

• Currency conversion fee: Your bank charges 1-3% for converting BHD to your local currency
• Foreign transaction fee: Some banks add a fee for international card payments
• Dynamic currency conversion: If you chose to pay in your home currency instead of BHD

To minimize extra charges, pay in BHD (not your home currency) and use a card with no foreign transaction fees.

Log in to your account at evisa.gov.bh and navigate to “My Applications” or “Application Status.” Your application will show one of these statuses:

• Submitted: Received and queued for review
• Under Review: Being processed by an officer
• Additional Info Required: You need to provide more documents
• Approved: Visa granted – download your eVisa
• Rejected: Application denied – reason provided

You will also receive email notifications when your status changes. Check your spam folder if you are not receiving emails.

If standard processing exceeds 5 business days:

• Check your email (including spam) for any requests for additional information
• Log in to the portal to verify the current status
• If status shows “Additional Information Required,” respond promptly
• If status is still “Under Review” with no additional requests, wait 2 more business days
• After 7 business days total, contact NPRA support through the portal

Include your application reference number and passport number in any support inquiries. Do not submit multiple support requests for the same issue.

Yes, express processing is available for an additional fee of BHD 5-10, reducing processing time to 24-48 hours. You can select express processing during the application process before payment.

However, you cannot expedite an application that has already been submitted under standard processing. If you need faster processing for an existing application, you would need to contact NPRA support – but expedited processing is not guaranteed for existing applications.

The most common reasons for rejection are:

• Passport validity less than 6 months from entry date
• Name mismatch between application and passport
• Incomplete documentation or unclear document scans
• Wrong visa type selected for the purpose of visit
• Insufficient financial proof to support the stay
• Previous immigration violations (overstay, deportation history)
• Poor quality photo – blurry, wrong background, or outdated
• Incorrect application details – wrong passport number, dates, etc.

The rejection notification will specify the reason so you can address it in a new application.

Yes, you can reapply immediately after rejection. There is no mandatory waiting period. However:

• Address the specific reason for rejection before reapplying
• You must pay the full visa fee again (fees are non-refundable)
• Submitting the same application without changes will result in another rejection
• If the rejection was due to eligibility issues, reapplying will not help – you may need to explore alternative visa options

Review the rejection notice carefully, correct the identified issues, and submit a new, improved application.

A previous rejection does not automatically disqualify you from future applications. Each application is evaluated independently. However:

• Your rejection history is on record with NPRA
• If you reapply with the same issues, it will be rejected again
• Multiple rejections in quick succession may trigger additional scrutiny
• If the original rejection was for serious reasons (fraud, security concerns), future applications may face more review

The best approach is to thoroughly address the rejection reason before reapplying.

Maximum stay depends on your visa type:

• Tourist (single entry): Up to 14 days
• Tourist (multiple entry): Up to 30 days per entry
• Business (single): Up to 30 days
• Business (multiple): Up to 90 days per entry
• Transit: 48 hours maximum
• Family visit: 14-30 days per entry

Your maximum stay is printed on your eVisa approval. Do not overstay – fines of BHD 10 per day apply.

Yes, extensions are possible through the NPRA office in Bahrain. To extend:

• Visit the NPRA office before your current visa expires
• Complete an extension application form
• Provide your passport and current visa details
• State your reason for extension
• Show proof of accommodation for the extended stay
• Pay the extension fee (BHD 5-20 depending on duration)

Extensions are not guaranteed and are evaluated individually. Overstaying and then requesting an extension will result in penalties.

Overstaying results in:

• Daily fine: BHD 10 (approximately $27) per day of overstay
• Detention risk: Extended overstays may lead to detention
• Deportation: Severe overstays can result in deportation
• Future visa ban: Overstaying makes future visa applications more difficult or impossible
• Exit clearance: You must settle all fines before leaving Bahrain

If you realize you have overstayed, visit the NPRA office immediately to regularize your status. The longer you wait, the more severe the consequences.

Yes, but there are important considerations:

• Apply using the passport you will travel with
• The eVisa is linked to a specific passport number
• You must enter and exit Bahrain on the same passport
• If one nationality requires a visa and the other does not, you can choose which passport to use
• Some countries do not recognize dual nationality – check your home country’s rules

If you hold a GCC passport (Saudi, Kuwaiti, Emirati, Omani, Qatari), you can enter visa-free using that passport regardless of your other nationality.

Your passport must have at least 6 months of remaining validity from your planned entry date into Bahrain. If your passport expires within 6 months:

• Renew your passport first, then apply for the eVisa
• Do not apply with a passport that will expire within 6 months – the application will be rejected
• If your passport expires between application and travel, the eVisa becomes invalid

It is recommended to renew your passport well in advance if it is close to expiry.

No, absolutely not. A tourist eVisa does not authorize employment in Bahrain. Working on a tourist visa is a violation of Bahraini immigration law and can result in:

• Immediate deportation
• Heavy fines
• Detention
• Permanent ban from entering Bahrain

If you plan to work in Bahrain, your employer must arrange a proper work visa through the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA). See our guide on Bahrain visa types for more information on work visas.

Yes, every traveler including children and infants needs their own eVisa. Each child requires:

• Their own passport (valid for 6+ months)
• A separate eVisa application
• A separate fee payment
• A passport photo

Children cannot be included on a parent’s eVisa. The application process for children is the same as for adults, though the financial requirements may be assessed based on the parent’s or guardian’s finances.

GCC residents may have special provisions:

• GCC nationals (Saudi, Kuwaiti, Emirati, Omani, Qatari citizens): No visa needed, enter with national ID
• GCC residents (non-GCC nationals with GCC residence permits): May be eligible for visa on arrival or simplified eVisa, depending on profession and salary level

For GCC residents, certain skilled professions (doctors, engineers, managers, etc.) qualify for streamlined processing. Check your eligibility on the evisa.gov.bh portal by selecting your nationality and indicating your GCC residency status.

No, a Bahrain eVisa only authorizes entry into Bahrain. Saudi Arabia has its own separate visa system. To visit Saudi Arabia, you need:

• A Saudi eVisa (available for tourism for certain nationalities)
• A Saudi business visa
• A Saudi transit visa
• Or other appropriate Saudi authorization

The King Fahd Causeway connects Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, but you must have valid authorization for both countries to cross.

Try these troubleshooting steps:

• Clear your browser cache and cookies and try again
• Use a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge)
• Disable browser extensions that might interfere with the site
• Check your internet connection – try a different network if possible
• Try during off-peak hours – the site may be busy during business hours
• Disable VPN if you are using one – some VPNs can cause access issues
• Try a different device if the problem persists

If the issue continues, contact the portal’s technical support through the help section or try again later. Do not submit payment if the page appears to have loaded incorrectly.

• Check your spam or junk folder – automated emails are often filtered
• Add the eVisa portal’s email address to your contacts or safe senders list
• Verify you entered the correct email address during registration
• Try requesting a new verification email from the login page
• Check if your email provider has blocked the sender
• Try using a different email address (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo) for a new account

If you still cannot receive emails, log in directly to the portal to check your application status. Email notifications are a convenience – your application status is always visible in your dashboard.