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Note that foreigners working in Bahrain must have a certificate to show that they’re in good general health and free from HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, although tests are usually also carried out locally. Your sponsor will advise you what’s required.
Note also that any visible connection with Israel, e.g. an Israeli passport or an Israeli entry stamp, will disqualify you from entry.
While you’re in Bahrain, you’re required to carry identification documents, e.g. passport or national identity card and appropriate entry and residence visas. Note that it’s common for labour officials to carry out spot checks on businesses in search of workers employed illegally and to inspect passports in the possession of the employer.
This isn’t to suggest that Bahrain is a repressive regime: expatriates have little to worry about if they conduct themselves in a reasonable way, obey the laws and observe the rules of the culture. Indeed, you will usually be treated with kindness and generosity.
Obtaining a Visa
Visas are required by most visitors to Bahrain, whether on holiday or business trips or intending to live and work there.
In order to obtain a visa, you require a sponsor, which is normally your employer if you’re working. If you’re visiting for a holiday or business, the hotel where you’re staying can act as your sponsor. To request this service, you must send your travel itinerary and passport details by fax a few weeks in advance of your stay. Ensure that confirmation has been given and that your visa will be left at your point of entry before you depart. A small fee will be added to your hotel bill for this service. Additionally, your hotel might be able to obtain short extensions to your stay, provided they’re sure of your itinerary during the stay. The hotel is responsible for you during your time in the country. If you’re taking up work in Bahrain, your sponsor will normally arrange the necessary visas and permits for you.
Most visas and permits consist of passport stamps, so that immigration authorities can easily check that you have the necessary authorisation when you enter or leave the country. There are costs associated with the various visas and permits, but in the case of foreign workers these are normally met by your employer. Note that the prices quoted below should be taken as a guide only, as they’re subject to change, as are the conditions and requirements; the relevant state’s embassy or consulate can provide you with the current information.
Types of Visa
All nationals of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states (i.e. the six Gulf states) and British citizens (by birth) may enter Bahrain without a visa and receive an entry stamp in their passport.
British citizens can stay for a month and gain a short extension by applying to the Directorate of Immigration and Passports, Bahrain International Airport, P.O. Box 331, Manama (Tel 973 528883).
All other visitors require one of the following visas. Note that, although certain visas are theoretically obtainable on arrival in Bahrain, young single women should be sure to arrange them in advance, as they will come under scrutiny at the point of entry owing to the recent increase in the number of prostitutes attempting to enter Bahrain.
Note also that the immigration authorities are very strict with those whose passport states their occupation as journalist, writer or editor, unless their visit has prior permission from the Ministry of Information (P.O. Box 253, Bahrain, Tel 973 781888). Even if your visit to Bahrain is unconnected with your work as a writer, you’re likely to be refused entry or at best will be allowed to approach the Ministry of Information, under supervision, for permission to enter the country. Journalists on official visits are sponsored by the Ministry and are accompanied by an official during their visit, with transport supplied.
Tourist Visa
Bahrain has a burgeoning tourist industry and is keen to promote this further, as it’s a valuable source of income. Tourist visas are issued for stays of two weeks to citizens of the European Union (EU), Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and the USA. Applicants must possess valid, up-to-date passports and a return or onward ticket. A small charge is made – around BD5 – and hotels can arrange visas if given advance notice. Tourist visas don’t allow you to engage in any employment.
Visitor Visa
These visas are for other foreign nationals and require the sponsorship of a Bahraini, who has to apply to the Directorate of Immigration and Passports on the visitor’s behalf. They’re valid for a month and cost BD22. They don’t allow employment.
72-hour & Seven-day Visa
These are obtainable at the point of entry for short stay business visitors and cost around BD10 and BD15 respectively. You need a return or onward ticket and a valid passport.
Business Visa
Those intending to stay longer than a week on business must obtain a business visa through the Bahrain embassy in their own country. Business visas are valid for up to four weeks. You must complete an application form and present your passport, photographs, an employer’s letter indicating the purpose of the trip and a ‘letter of no objection’ or a ‘no objection certificate’ (NOC) from your Bahraini sponsor, although this last is rarely asked for. There’s a fee (e.g. £20 in the UK). The duration of the visa varies according to the nature of the trip.
Employment Visa
If you’re taking up employment in Bahrain, you require a work visa, which is normally valid for one or two years. This also entitles you to reside in the country. A medical examination is required and fees are applicable. Your sponsor normally arranges most of the necessary paperwork.
Family Visa
The immediate family of those working in Bahrain can obtain a family visa (sometimes also called a residence permit) for around BD22, which entitles them to residence status for the period of employment. Members of the family aren’t allowed to work, unless separate arrangements are made and the appropriate work visas obtained.
Dependent Visa
Granted to dependants of a Bahrain resident. The visa holder cannot take up gainful employement in Bahrain but can stay as long as the head of the household stays.
Citizenship
As a foreigner, you won’t be granted rights of citizenship in Bahrain.
Bahrain’s government is keen to protect the status quo and doesn’t want to compromise its cultural values or standard of living by allowing foreigners to become a permanent part of society. Your only route to becoming a naturalised citizen is by marriage to a national; even this, however, doesn’t guarantee citizenship, particularly for non-Muslims.
In exceptional circumstances only, a Bahrain’s ruler might grant citizenship to a foreigner who has provided outstanding service to the state over a number of years. A generous employer might reward a loyal worker who has made a major contribution to the company over many years by providing him with a work and residence permit of indefinite duration. After your retirement, however, the employer would have to be a figure of considerable influence to maintain this gift and satisfy the labour authorities. In this case, you wouldn’t be a citizen, but merely be allowed to remain in the country indefinitely.
Children of foreigners born in Bahrain don’t have rights of local citizenship and automatically assume the nationality of the parents. If one of the parents is a national of Bahrain, the child will usually be granted local nationality and may later become a national of Bahrain and obtain a local passport.
It’s recommended that you fully acquaint yourself with the implications of giving birth in Bahrain.
In many cases, the child isn’t affected, but any children that he has might not enjoy the same rights of nationality, citizenship, abode, etc. as his parents and grandparents.
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