Bahrain Entry and Travel Requirements
Bahrain entry requirements are a set of rules that any foreign visitor must follow to enter Bahrain.
Currently, to enter Bahrain you only need a valid passport and visa. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months. Depending on your nationality, you may be eligible for an e-visa or an embassy visa. Additionally, citizens of GCC countries, including citizens of Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE and Saudi Arabia, are allowed to enter Bahrain without a visa upon presentation of a valid national identification visa card. Visa exemption also applies to holders of diplomatic and special passports of India and China.
In February 2022, Bahrain's Ministry of Health decided to lift all restrictions allowing all travelers, regardless of vaccination status, nationality or age, to enter Bahrain. International tourists are now welcomed under the same rules as before the pandemic.
Please note that Bahrain's entry requirements as well as international travel rules may change at short notice due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. Some additional travel requirements may apply at any time during your visit abroad. Also, remember to follow travel advice from local authorities throughout your time in Bahrain.
Read on for more information about recent entry regulations, visa requirements and other travel documents, and best prepare for your next trip to Bahrain.
Who can enter Bahrain?
Bahrain remains fully open to all international visitors. All travelers, whether vaccinated or not, no longer need to meet Covid-related requirements, including testing, vaccination and quarantine requirements.
Document checklist for entry into Bahrain
- valid passport
- Valid visa for Bahrain
- Travel insurance (optional)
Testing, Vaccination, and Quarantine Requirements
Request an inspection
From 20 February 2022, all arrivals, whether vaccinated or not, will no longer need to provide a PCR test to enter Bahrain.
Important! As some airlines may have imposed their own boarding regulations, you may be required to submit a negative coronavirus test result to be allowed on board. Make sure you are familiar with the airline's regulations.
Vaccination required
Bahraini authorities no longer check the vaccination status of incoming visitors. All vaccinated and unvaccinated international travelers can now enter Bahrain. Previously, travelers had to show proof of vaccination when arriving in Bahrain. The list of approved Covid-19 vaccines in Bahrain includes the following manufacturers:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
Quarantine required
There is no quarantine requirement upon arrival in Bahrain. However, travelers who test positive for coronavirus during their stay in Bahrain will be required to self-quarantine at home or hotel as a precautionary measure for 7 days (if fully vaccinated) or 10 days (if 'they are not vaccinated). The quarantine period may end earlier in case the PCR test result performed by a private hospital is negative.
According to Bahrain's regulations, anyone quarantined or self-quarantined who fails to comply with the regulations can be fined up to BHD 10,000 or even jailed for up to 3 months.
Traveling from Bahrain
Bahrain has introduced a number of exit conditions that travelers must meet in order to leave Bahrain. First, you cannot be involved in a legal proceeding or business dispute, have outstanding debts, or be a child in a custody dispute. Additionally, you should not extend your visa period. Otherwise, you could be fined or banned from traveling to Bahrain in the future.
Before leaving Bahrain, be sure to check any recent travel restrictions in place in your next destination country.
Traveling to Bahrain
Bahrain's Ministry of Health introduced a green alert level in February 2022. Since then, international travelers no longer need to submit a PCR test, vaccination certificate or undergo quarantine. With the introduction of Green Alert Level, individuals no longer need to provide a Green Shield vaccination card to access various sites. Additionally, all indoor facilities have returned to 100°.
Most foreign visitors still need to apply for a visa to visit Bahrain. Each traveler must also have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of arrival in Bahrain.
All passengers should check their airline's boarding conditions. Depending on the coronavirus situation, some airlines may reduce services or require passengers to meet additional requirements, including providing a negative Covid-19 test.
Entry Rules for Children
Children are subject to the same entry conditions as adult travellers. Currently, they only need a valid passport and visa. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for preparing all such travel documents for the accompanying minor.
Important:
If a minor is traveling with a third party, the parent or legal guardian must prepare written consent in consultation with airport authorities and airline representatives. Documents must be issued in Arabic or English.
Transit through Bahrain
Transit passengers are allowed to stop in transit at Bahrain International Airport without needing to be tested for coronavirus.
Bahrain has not introduced additional travel restrictions for transit passengers. However, they must remember to meet the entry conditions of the country of their final destination.
Bahrain Visa Requirements
Bahrain e-visa
Bahrain introduced an electronic visa system in 2014, facilitating the visa application process for citizens of dozens of countries. The system allows you to get your visa within minutes, while the entire application must be completed entirely online.
Electronic visas to Bahrain are issued for tourism or business purposes. Depending on the applicant's nationality, the visa may be issued for one or more entries. Depending on the type of visa involved, the permitted stay in Bahrain varies from 14 to 90 days. Travelers who need to visit Bahrain for a longer period of time or for purposes other than business or tourism should apply for a regular embassy visa.
Embassy or consulate visa
Foreign nationals who require a visa to travel to Bahrain but are not among the nationalities eligible for an e-visa will need to apply for a traditional Bahrain visa from the nearest embassy or diplomatic mission.
Currently, visitors from more than 120 different countries must apply for an embassy visa before arriving in Bahrain, regardless of the purpose of their trip or the length of their intended stay in the Kingdom. .
Applying for a visa at a Bahrain embassy or consulate requires a personal visit to the embassy. For this reason, applicants must make an appointment in advance and prepare the necessary supporting documents. The necessary documents may differ depending on the requested visa, e.g., study visa or work visa.
Travel Insurance
Before traveling to the Kingdom of Bahrain, every traveler should take out comprehensive travel insurance that covers all medical expenses abroad, including possible Covid-19 treatment costs. Make sure your insurance policy covers all the activities you want to do during your stay in Bahrain.
