Entry Procedures
Visa and entry requirements depend on the country that issued your passport. The information here is general guidance. Always confirm the requirements for your own nationality with the official source.
This information is for general guidance only. Please verify with the embassy or official government sources before traveling.
Visa Requirements
Types of visas required and their conditions
Bahrain is a Gulf state and is not part of the EU or Schengen. Many nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival or apply online through the official eVisa portal (evisa.gov.bh), typically for stays of 14 or 30 days, often extendable. GCC nationals and residents travel under separate arrangements. Requirements depend on your nationality and can change, so check the official Bahraini sources (NPRA / eVisa) and your embassy before you travel.
- Region
- Gulf (non-Schengen)
- Visa
- eVisa / on arrival
- Check
- Official sources
- Visa on arrival or eVisa available for many nationalities
- Apply via evisa.gov.bh; requirements can change
Passport Conditions
Required validity period and blank pages
Your passport should generally be valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry into Bahrain and have blank pages for stamps. When applying for an eVisa or a visa on arrival, the passport details must match your application. Check your specific requirements before you travel, as rules can differ by nationality.
- Validity
- 6 months beyond entry
- Pages
- Blank pages needed
- Match
- Details to visa
- Six months validity is generally expected
- Passport details must match your eVisa application
Required Documents & Pre-registration
Arrival cards, health declarations, and other preparations
At immigration you may be asked to show supporting documents in addition to your passport and visa. These can include a confirmed return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation (a hotel booking or host details), and evidence of sufficient funds for your stay. Have these ready to speed up entry at Bahrain International Airport (BAH).
- Ticket
- Return/onward
- Stay
- Accommodation proof
- Funds
- Sufficient means
- Carry proof of accommodation and onward travel
- Evidence of funds may be requested on arrival
Pre-arrival procedure — Bahrain eVisa: eligible nationalities apply online on the official NPRA portal evisa.gov.bh, upload documents, pay the fee (from around BHD 5-10 depending on type) and receive the approved eVisa by email, typically within a few working days. GCC citizens are exempt. Beware paid look-alike sites.
Official Bahrain eVisa (evisa.gov.bh)- Surname
- SMITH
- Given name
- MICHAEL
- Nationality
- Your nationality (e.g. a representative country)
- Passport number
- A1234567
- Arrival date
- 2026-04-10
- Entry city
- Manama
Steps
- 1 On evisa.gov.bh check whether your nationality needs e-Visa or is visa-free/exempt
- 2 Complete the application and upload the passport page/photo as required
- 3 Pay the official fee and save the approved e-Visa (print or keep on your phone)
- 4 Present it at check-in and immigration together with your passport
Eligibility, fees, processing time and validity can change; for accurate details we recommend checking with the official government portal before you travel.
Last updated: 2026-08-30
Cash Import Limits
Declaration-free limits and procedures for excess amounts
If you enter or leave Bahrain carrying a large amount of cash (broadly around BHD 6,000 or the equivalent, roughly USD 10,000, or more in other currencies or bearer instruments), you must declare it to customs. Thresholds and rules can change, so confirm the current limit with Bahrain Customs. Failure to declare can lead to penalties, so complete a cash declaration when required.
- Threshold
- Approx BHD 6,000 / USD 10,000
- When
- Entering/leaving
- Action
- Declare to customs
- Applies to cash and equivalent bearer instruments
- Confirm the exact threshold with Bahrain Customs
Duty-Free Allowances & Restricted Items
Limits on tobacco, alcohol, food, and other goods
Arriving travellers have duty-free allowances for personal goods such as a limited quantity of tobacco and, for non-Muslim adults, a limited amount of alcohol for personal use. Bahrain applies strict rules on alcohol imports, and pork products and certain items are restricted on religious grounds. Check current allowances with Bahrain Customs before you travel.
- Tobacco
- Limited allowance
- Alcohol
- Adults, limited
- Pork
- Restricted
- Alcohol is allowed only in limited personal quantities for adults
- Pork products and some items are restricted
Prohibited Items
Items that are strictly forbidden from import
Illegal drugs are strictly prohibited and penalties are extremely severe, including long prison terms and, in the most serious cases, the death penalty. Weapons and ammunition are restricted, and there are controls on pork products, materials deemed offensive to public morals or religion, and products from protected species under CITES. Check Bahrain Customs rules and obtain any required permits before you travel.
- Drugs
- Prohibited (severe penalties)
- Weapons
- Restricted
- CITES
- Protected species
- Drug offences carry extremely severe penalties
- Pork, offensive materials and protected species are controlled
Medication Import Rules
Rules for bringing prescription and over-the-counter drugs
Bring enough of your prescription medicines for your trip, ideally in their original packaging with the prescription or a doctor’s letter. Some medicines that are common elsewhere may be controlled or restricted in Bahrain, so certain drugs may need prior approval from the health authorities. Check the rules with Bahrain’s National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA) before you travel.
- Prescription
- Carry a copy
- Controlled
- May need approval
- Check
- NHRA rules
- Keep medicines in original packaging with documentation
- Some medicines need prior approval from health authorities
Vaccinations & Health Requirements
Required and recommended vaccines for entry
No special vaccinations are required to enter Bahrain for most travellers. If you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever, proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required. It is recommended that your routine vaccinations are up to date. Check with your doctor or a travel clinic well before departure for personalised advice.
- Required
- None special
- Yellow fever
- If from risk area
- Routine
- Keep up to date
- Yellow fever certificate may be required from risk countries
- Consult a travel clinic for personalised recommendations
Immigration Process
Step-by-step guide from arrival to clearing immigration
Most travellers arrive at Bahrain International Airport (BAH) in Muharraq, near the capital Manama. If you need a visa on arrival, you complete it at the counters before immigration, or present your eVisa if obtained in advance. Automated e-gates are available for eligible passports and residents to speed up passport control. Have your travel documents ready and follow the signage on arrival.
- Airport
- BAH (Manama)
- Visa
- On arrival / eVisa
- E-gates
- Eligible passports
- Visa on arrival is processed before immigration
- E-gates speed up entry for eligible travellers
Tips for Smooth Entry
Practical advice for a hassle-free arrival
Summers are extremely hot and humid, so light clothing and sun protection are essential, while dressing modestly is respected in public. Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken and used in business and signage. The King Fahd Causeway links Bahrain by road to Saudi Arabia, and traffic drives on the right. The emergency number is 999 and the country code is +973.
- Climate
- Hot / humid summers
- Language
- Arabic; English widely used
- Emergency
- 999 (+973)
- Dress modestly in public and pack sun protection
- The King Fahd Causeway connects Bahrain and Saudi Arabia by road