How to Get a Bahrain Visa

A visa is a legal pass to enter and live in a country for tenure. A visa is a permit allowing a visitor or traveller to enter a foreign country. You must hold a visa before entering a country. Think of it as an authorization to enter Bahrain. By availing of visa services in Bahrain, you will obtain a visa, which will be a sticker glued to a passport page or in the form of an official stamp on a passport page. Every country has unique policies, but the application process is more or less akin to other countries. The type of visa depends upon the nature of the visit.

Types of Visas in Bahrain

There are different types of visas in Bahrain. They are:

1. Bahrain Entrepreneur Visa

If you wish to set up your company in Bahrain or attend a business conference, for example, you will need an Entrepreneur Visa. Entrepreneur Visas see applications from foreign investors seeking to travel to Bahrain to manage their established businesses and require a work permit. It is a two-year visa suitable for partners holding a minimum share capital of a limited liability company (WLL). However, investors and entrepreneurs who hold shares worth more than BHD 96,500 in a company incorporated in Bahrain do not necessitate a work visa but a residency visa. After acquiring a work permit, the applicant can apply for a residency visa from the Nationality, Passport and Residence Affairs (NPRA) and obtain a No Objection Certification (NOC). Also, quite notably, applicants can simultaneously apply for residency visas for their spouses and children.

2. Bahrain Employment Visa

An Employment Visa is also called a Work Visa. An Employment Visa authorizes a non-national to work for an employer in Bahrain. To obtain this two-year visa, expats or foreign employees must be sponsored by Bahraini nationals or their respective companies. Employment Vapplicant'ssuedd preceding theapplicant'ss entry into Bahrain as per the Bahrain Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA). A labour card will be issued on arrival and used as an identification card. It is to be carried at all times. The sponsoring company or Bahraini individual must prove that the company vacancy requires foreign expertise.

The applicant is eligible for a visa on the submission of:

1. A complete medical examination report.
2. Legal copies of a valid employment contract.
3. Proof of professional and educational qualifications as per the job requirements.
4. A copy of the employer sponsorship letter.

3. Bahrain Visitor Visa

A visitor visa in Bahrain is issued to an individual who wishes to enter the country temporarily and for a very short tenure for any reason, such as to visit a friend or family, for tourism, or medical treatment or examination. Visitor visas are also opted by individuals who wish to travel to Bahrain for business meets and trips; for tourists, online application of visitor visas through the Bahraini Embassy or a consulate within their country is possible. Individuals holding passports from GCC countries do not require a visa to enter Bahrain. About 44 foreign countries are allowed easily obtainable online visa applications. However, individuals who hold a passport native to a country not listed in 44 countries ought to apply for a visa at a local Bahrain Embassy or consulate or obtain sponsorship by a Bahraini company or a tourism agency.

Bahrain eVisa

Bahrain eVisas is an online portal for visa applications launched by the Government of Bahrain. If you wish to use the portal for visa applications, you must first check three things.

1. Please complete the online application available on the website. You will be asked about the nature of your visit and several passport details. Make sure you note down the supplied Application Reference Number.
2. You can make the payment using a credit or debit card. The transaction will occur through a secure session with a payment gateway.
3. Check your application using the application reference number to see whether the application has been approved.

Applications generally take about 72 hours to process. A copy of the approval can also be printed if you wish to. However, if your application is not approved, you must contact the NPRA or a Bahrain Embassy or consulate nearest you.

Depending on the nature of your visit to Bahrain, you ought to apply for the kind of visa required for your trip to Bahrain, along with all the requirements listed above. The procedure should be followed systematically for easy visa attainment without any delays.

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