Applying For A Us Visa: Bahrain To Usa

Applying for a US visa from Bahrain involves several steps. First, you must determine your visa type, which could be a business, tourist, exchange visitor, transit, religious worker, domestic employee, or journalist visa, among others. Then, you need to complete the Non-immigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form and pay the visa application fee. After that, you schedule an interview appointment at the US Embassy in Manama, bringing various documents with you, including your passport, photo, and proof of income. The process also involves submitting supporting documents and undergoing security regulations, such as providing photos and fingerprints. It's important to note that there is no guarantee that your visa will be issued, and if refused, the application fee is non-refundable. Additionally, US citizens travelling to Bahrain also need to obtain a visa and ensure their passport has at least six months' validity.

What type of visa do you need?

The type of visa you need will depend on the purpose of your trip to the United States.

Tourist Visa

If you are travelling to the US for tourism, you will need to apply for a B-2 visa. This visa is for travel that is recreational in nature, including tourism, visits with friends or relatives, and activities of a fraternal, social or service nature.

Business Visa

If you are travelling to the US for business, you will need to apply for a B-1 visa. This visa is for travellers consulting with business associates, attending scientific, educational, professional or business conventions/conferences, settling an estate or negotiating contracts.

Medical Visa

If you are travelling to the US for medical treatment, you will need to apply for a B-2 visa. You will need to present a medical diagnosis from a local physician explaining the nature of your ailment and the reason you require treatment in the US. You will also need a letter from a US physician or medical facility expressing a willingness to treat your ailment, as well as the projected length and cost of treatment.

Student Visa

If you are travelling to the US to study, you will need to apply for a student visa. You will need to bring your latest school results, transcripts, degrees and/or diplomas, as well as evidence of financial support such as monthly bank statements or fixed deposit slips.

Work Visa

If you are travelling to the US for work, you will need to apply for a work visa. You will need to bring an employment letter from your employer and pay slips from the last three months.

Domestic Employee Visa

Personal or domestic employees may qualify for a B-1 visa under certain circumstances.

Exchange Visitor Visa

If you are travelling to the US as an exchange visitor, you will need to apply for an exchange visitor visa.

Transit/Ship Crew Visa

If you are travelling to the US as a ship crew member, you will need to apply for a transit/ship crew visa.

Religious Worker Visa

If you are travelling to the US as a religious worker, you will need to apply for a religious worker visa.

Journalist and Media Visa

If you are travelling to the US as a journalist or media worker, you will need to apply for a journalist and media visa.

Other Visa Types

Other types of visas available to US citizens include the 72-hour visa, seven-day visa, visitor visa, and family visa.

What are the application requirements?

The application requirements for a US visa from Bahrain depend on the type of visa you are applying for. For short-term visits to the US (tourism, business, education, etc.), you can fill out the online application form DS-160. For immigrant visas, which are issued to foreign nationals intending to live and work permanently in the US, you can visit the US Citizenship and Immigration Services site for the relevant forms.

If you are unsure what type of visa you need, you can use the Visa Wizard on the US Embassy in Bahrain website.

Nonimmigrant Visa Application

If you are applying for a nonimmigrant visa, you can follow these steps:

• Determine your visa type by reading Common Nonimmigrant Visas. Each visa type explains the qualifications and application items. Choose the visa type that applies to your situation.
• Review the Visa Waiver Program. If your country of citizenship participates in the Visa Waiver Program, you do not need to apply for a visa if your travel is for business or pleasure and you will be staying in the US for 90 days or less.
• Complete the Non-immigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form.
• Log in to the online applicant system to create a profile and select courier service options (if available). Ensure that all your personal and contact information is correct, otherwise, there will be delays in your visa application processing.
• Pay the visa application (MRV) fee using the payment options available in your country of application.
• Schedule an appointment. After entering your MRV fee payment receipt on your profile, you will have access to the appointment calendar. Select a convenient appointment date and time. Please note that the number of appointments that can be made per MRV fee payment is limited.
• Attend your interview. Bring your appointment confirmation letter, DS-160 confirmation page, MRV fee receipt, current and previous passports, a photo, and a letter explaining your travel purpose and itinerary. Depending on the visa category, you may require additional documentation and a reciprocity fee.
• Retrieve your passport. If your visa is issued, the US Embassy will return your documents and your passport to the chosen document delivery address in your profile. You will receive an email and SMS once your documents are ready for pickup at the courier location you selected.

Immigrant Visa Application

If you are applying for an immigrant visa, you must follow these steps before your interview at the US Embassy in Manama, Bahrain:

• Get a medical exam in Bahrain. As soon as you receive your appointment date, schedule a medical exam with one of the designated doctors in Bahrain.
• Complete your pre-interview checklist. Bring all required original documents to your interview.
• Review interview guidelines to learn about any special actions that need to be taken before your visa interview.

General Application Requirements

Some general requirements for US visa applications include:

• A valid passport with a validity of at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the US.
• A passport-sized photograph taken within the last six months.
• A receipt showing payment of the non-refundable nonimmigrant visa application processing fee, paid in local currency.
• An interview appointment letter confirming that you booked an appointment.
• Supporting documents, such as proof of income, tax payments, property or business ownership, or assets.
• Travel itinerary and/or other explanations about your planned trip.
• Criminal/court records pertaining to any arrests or convictions.
• Educational qualifications, such as school results, transcripts, and degrees/diplomas.
• Employment-related documents, such as an employment letter and recent pay slips.
• If you are applying for a visa for medical treatment in the US, you will need to present a medical diagnosis from a local physician and a letter from a US physician or medical facility expressing a willingness to treat your ailment.

How much does it cost?

The cost of a US visa for citizens of Bahrain varies depending on the type of visa and the length of stay.

Nonimmigrant Visa Application Fee

First, there is the nonimmigrant visa application fee, also known as the MRV fee, which must be paid before applying for a nonimmigrant visa. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable, and it applies whether or not a visa is issued. The fee amount depends on the type of visa being applied for.

Visa Issuance Fee

In addition to the application fee, applicants from certain countries may be required to pay a visa issuance fee, also known as a "reciprocity" fee, after their application is approved. This fee is based on the principle of reciprocity, meaning that it is equivalent to what another country charges a US citizen for a similar type of visa.

SEVIS Fee

F, M, and J visa principal applicants are also required to pay a SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee in addition to the visa application fee. For nonimmigrant students with Form I-20, the SEVIS fee is $350. For J exchange visitors in the au pair, camp counselor, and summer work travel program participant categories, the SEVIS fee is $35, while for other J exchange visitors, the fee is $220.

Blanket L Fee

First-time principal applicants who are covered under a blanket petition for L status must pay a Blanket L Fee (Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee) of $500.

Service and Processing Fees

It is important to note that the visa fees mentioned above do not typically include service and processing fees, postage, or other related charges. These additional fees can vary depending on the method chosen for applying for the visa.

E-Visa Fee

For example, the Bahrain e-visa, which is available to US citizens, costs BHD 9 (approximately $24). However, when applying through a service like Atlys, the visa fee can be higher, around $45, due to exchange rate fluctuations and additional service charges.

Embassy Visa Fee

The cost of a visa applied for through a Bahrain Embassy will depend on the specific embassy and the type of visa being applied for.

Visa on Arrival Fee

For those eligible for a visa on arrival at the Bahrain International Airport, the fee is BD 25 for a two-week visa and BD 30 for a 30-day visa.

Other Costs

In addition to the visa fees, there may be other costs associated with the visa application process, such as the cost of obtaining supporting documents (e.g., passport photos, flight tickets, hotel reservations, etc.) and travel to and from the embassy or consulate for interviews.

What documents do you need?

To apply for a US visa from Bahrain, you will need to submit the following documents:

• A valid passport: Your passport must meet several parameters. It must have at least two blank pages, be a soft copy, be valid for at least six months ahead of your date of travel, and must not be torn, ripped, split, or damaged in any way.
• Photographs: You must provide one photograph that meets the following specifications: it must have a matte finish, have dimensions of 35x45 mm (length - 45mm, breadth - 35mm), be a soft copy, be taken against an all-white background, cover 80% of the frame with your face, be recent, show a neutral expression with no smiling or frowning, show no glasses, show hair that is tied back so that the face is clearly visible, show ears that are clearly visible, and show no headgear unless for religious reasons. Teeth must not be visible in the photograph.
• Air ticket: You must provide a confirmed ticket for a round trip.
• Proof of accommodation: This can be in the form of a hotel voucher or, if you are staying with a relative, a copy of their CPR Reader's printout.
• Covering letter: This should include the traveller's information, itinerary, detailed travel information, trip expense details, return guarantee to the home country, accommodation details, the person bearing the expenses during the trip, the traveller's relationship with any fellow travellers, the purpose of the visit, travel dates, and all details as per the passport.
• Bank statements: You must provide original bank statements with the bank's stamp and signature on every page from the last six months as proof of sufficient funds.
• DS-160 Non-immigrant Visa Electronic Application form: This must be completed and submitted online.
• Visa application fee receipt: You will be prompted to pay the visa application (MRV) fee using the payment options available in your country of application.
• Appointment confirmation letter: You will need to bring this to your interview, along with your DS-160 confirmation page, MRV fee receipt, current and previous passports, and photo.
• Supporting documents: These include current proof of income, tax payments, property or business ownership, or assets; your travel itinerary and/or other explanation about your planned trip; a letter from your employer detailing your position, salary, length of employment, any authorized vacation, and the business purpose of your US trip (if applicable); criminal/court records pertaining to any arrests or convictions; school results, transcripts, and degrees/diplomas; and evidence of financial support such as monthly bank statements or fixed deposit slips.

Please note that this list may not be exhaustive, and it is recommended that you seek professional visa consultation to ensure you have all the required documents for your specific visa application.

What happens after the interview?

After the interview, your application will either be issued or refused. If you do not establish eligibility for a visa, the consular officer may determine that further administrative processing is required to establish your eligibility. There is no guarantee of the length of time it will take to complete this processing and return your passport.

If your visa is issued, the U.S. Embassy will return your documents and your passport to you at the chosen document delivery address in your profile. You will receive an email and SMS once your documents are ready for pickup at the courier location you selected.

If your visa is refused, there is no refund of the application fee.

Frequently asked questions