Obtaining An Artist Visa: Bahrain's Essential Requirements

If you are an artist seeking a visa to enter Bahrain, there are a few options available to you. The type of visa you need depends on your nationality, how long you intend to stay in Bahrain, and the purpose of your visit. Bahrain offers eVisas, visas on arrival, and embassy visas. eVisas are available for visitors from over 200 countries and can be applied for online. This type of visa is valid for 14 days or one month and can be extended. Visas on arrival are available for visitors from 69 countries and can be obtained at Bahrain International Airport. Embassy visas are required for those who want to stay in Bahrain for longer than a visa on arrival or eVisa allows. In addition, Bahrain launched its Golden Residency Visa program in 2022 to attract foreign investors and talented individuals. This visa is valid for 10 years, provided the holder remains in the country for 90 days within a 12-month period.

Golden Visa requirements

The Golden Visa Residency programme in Bahrain is designed to attract foreign investors, skilled employees, and talented individuals to the country. It offers a 10-year renewable residence permit, with the possibility of indefinite renewals, as long as the eligibility criteria continue to be met. The visa also allows holders multiple entries and exits from the kingdom and the right to work in Bahrain.

There are four categories of eligibility for the Golden Visa:

Property Investment

To qualify, applicants must own one or more properties in Bahrain, with a total purchase value of at least BHD200,000 (approximately USD530,000). They must also provide a copy of the title deed and a medical report indicating they are free from contagious diseases.

Professionals/Skilled Employees

This category is for applicants who have resided in Bahrain for at least five years and have earned an average monthly basic salary of at least BHD2,000 throughout that five-year period. They must provide proof of their salary and address of previous residence.

Retirement

This category is for retired applicants who have resided in Bahrain for at least five years and receive a monthly income of at least BHD4,000. They must provide proof of retirement and address of previous residence.

Specialised Talent

This category is for highly talented individuals who have been recognised by the relevant government authority in Bahrain as having exceptional skills or talents in fields such as academia, entrepreneurship, science, sports, art, literature, or business. Applicants in this category must provide a certificate proving their talent and, if they are entrepreneurs, documented approval from an accredited business incubator in Bahrain.

In addition to the above, there are some general conditions that all applicants must meet. These include providing a copy of the relevant pages of a passport valid for more than six months, a copy of the Central Population Registry (CPR) card if resident in Bahrain or another ID card if based elsewhere, a copy of recent bank statements, a certificate of good conduct (if available), and a copy of a valid health insurance certificate in Bahrain.

eVisa application process

The eVisa is an online visa for short-term visits available to eligible international travellers. Applicants need a valid passport and sufficient funds, and must provide personal and travel details, and pay online fees. Processing usually takes a few days, with expedited options available for an extra charge.

The eVisa is available to citizens of specific countries; others must obtain a paper visa through a Bahraini embassy or consulate for entry. There are over 209 eligible nationalities.

The eVisa application process is as follows:

Submit Your Application Online

Complete the online application form, providing personal and passport details, as well as your travel itinerary.

Document Upload

Attach the necessary documents in JPG or PDF format. This includes a scan of your passport, a copy of your return flight ticket, and proof of accommodation.

Application Review and Processing

Visa experts will review your application and documents to ensure everything is in order. If any additional information is required, they will contact you. Once your application is complete and accurate, it will be submitted on your behalf.

Approval Notification

You will be notified once your visa application is approved.

Visa Delivery

Depending on your preference and the specific embassy's process, your visa will be sent to you electronically or as a physical document. Approved eVisas are emailed and must be printed for presentation upon arrival in Bahrain.

Visa fees

The cost of a Bahrain visa depends on the type of visa, the applicant's nationality, and the urgency of the visa request. The fees for a Bahrain eVisa vary according to the visa type and nationality of the applicant. Processing time is another factor that influences cost, with applicants able to choose between standard and expedited processing times, the latter of which incurs higher fees.

The Bahrain eVisa cost is 29 Bahrain Dinar overall: 4 BD (approximately USD 10) for processing the visa application and 25 BD (approximately USD 66) for the actual visa. The Bahrain visa on arrival costs 25 BD for a two-week visa and 30 BD for a 30-day visa.

The single-entry Bahrain eVisa is valid for one month and must be used within 30 days of approval. The multiple-entry Bahrain eVisa is valid for three months, but visitors cannot stay in Bahrain for more than 30 days in total. The single-entry Bahrain visa on arrival is valid for one month and must be used within 30 days of approval. There is also a multiple-entry option for the visa on arrival, which is valid for three months, but visitors cannot stay for longer than 30 days. Multiple-entry Bahrain visas can also be issued for one year, but visitors cannot stay in Bahrain for longer than three months on each visit.

The Bahrain Golden Residency Visa has a non-refundable application fee of 4 Bahraini dinars (approximately USD 10.60) per person. Successful applicants then pay an issuance fee of 300 Bahraini dinars (approximately USD 795). Payment of the application fee does not guarantee the approval of a Visa, and in the event of an application being rejected, the processing fee will not be refunded.

Visa extensions

Who Can Apply for a Visa Extension?

Eligible applicants include tourists, business visitors, and guarantors. Guarantors can be government organisations, companies operating in Bahrain, or Bahraini citizens.

Required Documents

Before applying for an extension, the following documents are required:

• Completed Service Request Form (obtained online or from the NPRA service centre)
• Valid Passport Copy (valid for at least six months after the extension)
• Guarantor Documents (company commercial registration or national ID card of a Bahraini citizen)
• Applicant/Authorised Representative ID

How to Apply

There are two ways to apply for a visa extension: online or in-person at the NPRA service centre.

Online Application Process:

• Visit the Kingdom of Bahrain National Portal.
• Choose your applicant type.
• Provide the required details, including passport information, date of birth, and nationality.
• Pay any applicable fees online.

In-Person Application Process:

• Download and install the "Mawaeid" app on your smartphone to schedule an appointment at the NPRA office.
• Visit the NPRA service centre on your appointment date with all the necessary documents.
• Follow the submission procedures outlined by the NPRA staff.
• Pay the extension fees and receive a receipt with your application number for tracking.

Visa Extension Fees

The cost of a visa extension varies depending on the type of visa and the length of the extension. Here is a breakdown of the fees:

• One-week extension: BD 40 (a BD 50 fee applies for extensions of less than six days)
• One Month Extension: BD 30
• Two Week Extension: BD 25
• Three Month Extension: BD 20
• Business Visa Extension (Two Weeks): BD 40

Important Considerations

It is important to apply for the extension before your current visa expires, as overstaying can lead to penalties. Incomplete applications will likely be rejected, so ensure you have all the required documents. Processing times can vary, so factor this into your trip planning.

Work visa requirements

To apply for a Bahrain work visa, you must have an employer in the country, as they will handle most of the application. Your prospective employer must request a work permit for you at the Bahrain Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) before you travel to Bahrain. The work permit, along with the residence permit, make up the Bahrain work visa.

Both you and your employer must submit several documents for the work permit application. These include:

• A valid passport with at least six months of validity from the date of entry.
• A passport-sized photo.
• Proof of financial support, such as bank statements from the last three months.
• Proof of accommodation in Bahrain.
• Any other documents required by the Bahrain Embassy or Immigration.

If the Labour Market Regulatory Authority approves your work permit application, you will be granted the right to work and live in Bahrain for up to two years. You will also be allowed to bring your dependent family members with you, but they will not be permitted to work.

If you are travelling to Bahrain for a new job, you must visit the LMRA's offices at Bahrain International Airport for fingerprint scanning and visa issuance.

Frequently asked questions