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Bahrain Visa for United Kingdom Citizens 2026

Visa on Arrival

British citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at Bahrain's ports of entry, valid for a 14-day single-entry stay, for a fee of BHD 9 (about USD 24); an eVisa can also be arranged in advance at evisa.gov.bh.

Guide last updated October 5, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry
  • A return or onward travel ticket
  • Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or sponsor's address)
  • A completed arrival form (paper on arrival, or via the eVisa portal if applying in advance)
  • Passport-style photo (only needed for the advance eVisa, not for the on-arrival stamp)
  • Sufficient funds for the stay
  • Biometrics: fingerprints and photo are taken on arrival at Bahrain International Airport
  • Travel health insurance: not mandatory but recommended

Visa types

  • Visa on arrival (tourist): single entry, 14-day validity, fee BHD 9, extendable once for a further 14 days for BHD 9
  • eVisa (14 or 90 days): applied for online in advance at evisa.gov.bh, single or multiple entry depending on category, fee from BHD 9 to BHD 29
  • GCC-resident visa: available for holders of valid US, UK, EU or Schengen visas/residency, often processed faster
  • For work or long-term stay, a sponsor-backed residence visa must be arranged by a Bahraini employer before arrival

Visa on arrival

  • Available at Bahrain International Airport and King Fahad Causeway (land border with Saudi Arabia)
  • Join the Visa on Arrival counter before the regular immigration line; present your passport, return ticket and accommodation details
  • Pay the fee in Bahraini dinars, US dollars or by card (BHD 9 for the standard 14-day single-entry visa)
  • Processing at the counter typically takes 10-20 minutes depending on queue length
  • Fingerprint and photo biometrics are taken at the same counter before the stamp is issued

Fees & processing time

  • Visa on arrival: BHD 9 (approx USD 24) for 14 days single entry
  • eVisa in advance: BHD 9-29 (approx USD 24-77) depending on duration and entries
  • No VFS/BLS fee - both options are handled directly by Bahrain's immigration authority
  • Processing time: 10-20 minutes at the airport counter for arrival visas; 3-5 business days for the eVisa
  • No separate express eVisa tier is generally offered

Tips for United Kingdom travelers

  • Applying for the eVisa online before travel avoids queueing at the airport and is worth doing at busy times
  • Carry small denominations of USD or BHD cash in case card payment machines at the visa-on-arrival counter are down
  • Common issues: passport validity just under 6 months, or no proof of onward travel
  • Extensions are handled at the General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence in Manama - apply a few days before your visa expires
  • If transiting through Bahrain, check whether your layover qualifies for the transit exemption to skip the visa fee entirely

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

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This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.