Exploring Saudi Arabia: Entry Via Bahrain, Possible?

If you're planning to enter Saudi Arabia from Bahrain, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Firstly, you should know that Saudi Arabia has specific entry requirements, and until recently, the country only offered business or Hajj visas for religious pilgrims. Now, they have introduced an electronic visa (eVisa) system, making it easier for tourists to obtain a visa before their arrival. When entering Saudi Arabia from Bahrain, the King Fahd Bridge border checkpoint is the designated entry point, connecting Bahrain to the city of Khobar in Saudi Arabia. It's important to have the necessary documents, including your passport, eVisa, and other identification, ready to present to border guards on Passport Island, located halfway across the bridge. Additionally, be sure to check the latest updates on COVID-19-related requirements, as rules may change over time.

Can I enter Saudi Arabia from Bahrain?

You will need a passport and a visa to enter Saudi Arabia

To enter Saudi Arabia from Bahrain, you will need a passport and a visa. Unless you are a citizen of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, or the UAE, you will need to present a passport to enter Saudi Arabia. Your passport must have at least six months of validity from the date of your entry into Saudi Arabia. If your passport expires within six months of your arrival, you may be barred from entering the country.

In addition to a valid passport, most visitors to Saudi Arabia need a visa to enter the country. You can apply for an e-visa online or on arrival at any of Saudi Arabia's international airports. The type of e-visa or electronic visa waiver (EVW) you need depends on your reason for travelling and how long you want to stay. For example, if you are a tourist or performing Umrah, you can apply for an e-visa. An e-visa is valid for 365 days from the date of issue, for visits of up to 90 days, and for multiple entries. On the other hand, if you are travelling for Umrah outside of Hajj Season, you can apply for an EVW, which allows you to enter Saudi Arabia once and stay for up to six months.

If you are entering Saudi Arabia from Bahrain by road, you will need to cross the King Fahd Bridge border checkpoint. This 25km causeway allows travellers from Bahrain to enter Saudi Arabia via the city of Khobar, less than 50km from Dammam. At the border checkpoint, you will need to present your passport, e-visa, and other identifying documents to the border guards on Passport Island, located approximately halfway across the bridge.

It is important to note that not all airports in Saudi Arabia permit entry to the country for e-visa holders. Currently, the following airports are equipped to handle foreign tourists with e-visas:

• King Khalid International Airport (RUH) – Riyadh
• King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) – Jeddah
• King Fahd International (DMM) – Dammam
• Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International (MED) – Madinah

Travellers from Bahrain can enter Saudi Arabia via the King Fahd Bridge border checkpoint

Travelling from Bahrain to Saudi Arabia

As of July 2024, travellers from Bahrain can enter Saudi Arabia via the King Fahd Bridge border checkpoint. This 25km causeway allows travellers from Bahrain to enter Saudi Arabia via the city of Khobar, which is less than 50km from Dammam.

Entry Requirements

To enter Saudi Arabia, travellers must present their passport, eVisa, and other identifying documents to border guards on Passport Island, located approximately halfway across the bridge. The passport must have at least six months' validity from the date of entry into Saudi Arabia.

COVID-19 Testing

As of January 2021, travellers arriving in Bahrain from Saudi Arabia via the King Fahd Causeway were no longer required to undergo mandatory PCR testing for COVID-19. However, travellers must provide evidence of a negative PCR test result obtained within 72 hours of arrival, either through an original PCR certificate or a mobile app.

Other Considerations

It is important to note that eVisa holders can only enter Saudi Arabia through specific national checkpoint locations, and travellers should ensure they are arriving at the correct entry sites. Additionally, there may be specific requirements or restrictions for travellers who have previously visited Israel.

A PCR test is required within 72 hours of arrival

To enter Saudi Arabia, a PCR test is required within 72 hours of arrival. This rule applies to all travellers, including Saudi citizens, except for children under the age of 8. The PCR test must be conducted at an approved testing centre, and the certificate must be presented at check-in.

Travellers who have been vaccinated are exempt from quarantine but must still present a negative PCR test. The test must be taken no more than 72 hours before boarding the flight to Saudi Arabia.

For those who have not been vaccinated, the rules are stricter. Unvaccinated travellers must complete institutional quarantine at their own expense, starting from the time of arrival. The duration of the institutional quarantine is 7 days and includes 2 PCR tests.

There are some exemptions to the institutional quarantine rule. These include:

• Saudi citizens, their spouses, children and domestic workers
• Non-vaccinated domestic workers accompanying a vaccinated resident
• Vaccinated travellers, and passengers under the age of 18 travelling with them
• Diplomats and their families
• Health practitioners and their families

Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry

Entering Saudi Arabia from Bahrain

Passport Validity Requirements

Your passport is a valuable document and it is important to keep it in a safe place. If you lose your passport before travelling to Saudi Arabia, you may not be able to enter the country, and you may have to return to your home country.

When entering Saudi Arabia, your passport must have an 'expiry date' of at least six months after the date you arrive. This means that your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of your entry into Saudi Arabia. It is important to check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet all the necessary requirements. If your passport does not meet the requirements, you should renew it before you travel.

You will be denied entry to Saudi Arabia if you do not have a valid travel document or if you try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Other Entry Requirements

In addition to ensuring your passport is valid, there are several other requirements to keep in mind when entering Saudi Arabia from Bahrain. Firstly, you must obtain an electronic visa (eVisa) or an electronic visa waiver (EVW) before you travel or on arrival at any of Saudi Arabia's international airports. The type of e-visa or EVW you need depends on your reason for travelling and how long you want to stay. If you are a tourist, you can apply for an e-visa, which is valid for visits of up to 90 days and allows multiple entries.

Secondly, if you plan to travel to Saudi Arabia by the King Fahd Causeway from Bahrain, it is important to check your visa before travelling. This 25km causeway allows travellers from Bahrain to enter Saudi Arabia via the city of Khobar, less than 50km from Dammam. At the border checkpoint, you will need to present your passport, eVisa, and other identifying documents to the border guards on Passport Island, located halfway across the bridge.

Finally, it is worth noting that some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for six months after you plan to leave that country. This requirement can apply even if you are just transiting or stopping over. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check your passport's expiry date before travelling internationally.

A separate Hajj visa is required to board flights to Jeddah, Madinah and Taif during the Hajj

If you are planning to enter Saudi Arabia from Bahrain, there are a few things you need to keep in mind, especially if you are travelling during the Hajj pilgrimage season. Here is some detailed information about the requirements for a Hajj visa and entry points into Saudi Arabia.

Firstly, it is important to note that Saudi Arabia has specific entry requirements for visitors, and until recently, the country only offered business or Hajj visas for religious pilgrims. Now, the country also offers tourist visas, but the type of visa you need depends on your reason for travelling and how long you intend to stay. If you are planning to perform the Hajj pilgrimage, you must apply for a dedicated Hajj visa through the Ministry of Hajj. This visa is different from the tourist visa and is required specifically for religious purposes.

When applying for a Hajj visa, there are certain conditions that must be met. Applications are accepted between the 15th day of Shawwal and the 25th day of Dhu'l-Qaeda, according to the Hejirah calendar. It is important to note that Hajj visas are not issued to individuals who have completed the pilgrimage within the last 5 years. Additionally, female pilgrims must be accompanied by an immediate family member who is 18 or older, unless they are over 45.

In terms of entry points, if you are entering Saudi Arabia from Bahrain, the King Fahd Bridge border checkpoint is the designated entry point. This 25km causeway allows travellers from Bahrain to enter Saudi Arabia through the city of Khobar, which is located less than 50km from Dammam. At this checkpoint, you will need to present your passport, eVisa, and other identifying documents to the border guards on Passport Island, which is halfway across the bridge.

It is worth noting that not all airports in Saudi Arabia permit entry for eVisa holders. Currently, the following airports are equipped to handle foreign tourists with eVisas:

• King Khalid International Airport (RUH) – Riyadh
• King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) – Jeddah
• King Fahd International (DMM) – Dammam
• Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International (MED) – Madinah

During the Hajj season, the Saudi authorities have implemented flight restrictions for non-Hajj visitors travelling to Jeddah, Madinah, and Taif. You may need a Hajj visa to board flights to these destinations during this period. However, you can still enter Saudi Arabia through other airports without a Hajj visa.

Frequently asked questions