This is a step by step description of the online application process for a Bahrain tourist visa or visit e-visa
Planning a trip to the Kingdom Of Bahrain?
This small archipelago of 33 islands, is located in the Arabian Gulf, right between Saudi Arabia in the west and Qatar in the south east. Bahrain (the word means “two seas”), with its limited territory, has sufficient reasons for it to be referred to as modern, relaxed and sophisticated.
No wonder it was rated as the best expat country in the world to live in by InterNations in 2018!
So when my parents showed an interest to visit us, last year and experience this beautiful tiny nation, we decided to get an e-visa for them.
We could apply for a visa through sponsored ways (which means arranging a visa through a Bahrain company or a hotel or airlines or through registered travel agents) or via the Embassy of Bahrain located in India, but we decided to take the internet way.
Why we loved the online e-visa application process?
- Its really inexpensive to apply on the internet. Going through other means means paying extra fees for the sponsored services and still not receiving a guaranteed visa.
- The application process is simple and we were able to track the status anytime every time!
- When applying for e-visa we were able to follow up with NPRA (Nationality, Passport and Residence Affairs) directly. The other means wouldn’t have necessarily given us that accessibility and flexibility.
The Bahrain Electronic Visa Service website has all the information on e-visas but the process and the experience we had, is why I thought of putting down a step by step guide for anyone trying to get a visit e-visa here.
STEP 1: CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY FOR A VISIT VISA
Go to www.evisa.gov.bh and click on eligibility to understand which visas you are eligible for. This will open to another window/screen like this:
We were applying on behalf of my dad so we filled in the details accordingly.
- Do you have residence permit for GCC countries? No
- Our purpose of visit- tourism
- Detailed purpose- other. We had to be specific so we put visiting family.
- Nationality- India
Once finished we clicked on Next.
STEP 2. CONDITIONS FOR EVISA
Now the window will change to this:
This is a very important step as it tells us what exactly we need to know about the visa we are applying for. Since we were looking for single entry visit visa,we clicked on the “See Conditions” corresponding to single entry. This opened to another window which gave us information on all the conditions related to this particular visit evisa.
We carefully noted down what we needed as qualifying documents for the evisa which are:
- Scanned photocopy of photo page of applicant’s current valid passport.
- Scanned copy of return air ticket.
- Scanned copy of hotel booking in Bahrain. Alternately, in case you are staying with a relative, please provide a copy of their CPR Reader’s printout.
- Scanned copy of a STAMPED bank statement under the visitor’s name covering the last three months with an ending balance of not less than the equivalent of BD300 (Around Rs 55,000 in 2019).
Now coming back to the main window, if you want to proceed with the application just fill in the captcha word and click on “Apply Now”. We clicked on the link corresponding to Visit evisa single entry via internet.
STEP 3: DISCLAIMER
Once we click on “Apply Now” we get directed to a Terms and Conditions window telling us what information will be used by this particular website. No big deal – we scrolled down and clicked on “I Accept”.
STEP 4: BEGIN THE APPLICATION PROCESS
We were then directed to a new window and this is when the actual application starts.
Fill in the required details. Once you click “Next” another window opens requiring the same details will appear. Just for verification, fill in the same details.
Here, at this step if you do commit a mistake, the website immediately prompts you to make the correction and redirects to the previous window. Once you fill in details click on “Next”.
A new window requiring personal information opens up, Fill in and click “Next”.
STEP 5: CHECK THE DATA YOU PROVIDED
A new window opens asking you to check the data provided. Please check carefully, as any small mistake can lead to a rejection of the visa.
If in case you need to change some detail, click on “Change” else click on “Next”
STEP 5: ATTACH RELEVANT DOCUMENTS
In the next window we were shown a list of documents to attach for submission, relevant to the e-visa you’re applying for. Carefully attach the documents corresponding to the title given.
Although the website doesn’t mention attaching the Back Page (which has family details) of the Passport for evisa applications, it is suggested that you do. In our case my dad’s evisa application was approved without the back page, but for mom, the evisa was rejected because we didn’t attach the back page. We had to then reapply and attach that along with the other documents and eventually got an approval.
STEP 6: PAYMENT
Once the documents are all attached, there were two options to choose from. Submit another application, which we did (2 applications for both parents) or continue to the payment mode.
Once we entered our card details a fee of 18 BD was charged (9 BD per application). We took a print out of the submitted application which looks like this:
Make sure you note down the reference number as this is what helps you to track your status.
That’s it- you have successfully applied for a tourist visa in Bahrain!
What next?
STEP 7: TRACK YOUR APPLICATION STATUS
Go to www.evisa.bh and click on Check your e-visa. It will create a pop-up window asking you to fill in the personal details and reference number. Typically, if all the documents are submitted, the e-visa gets approved within 3-5 days.
In our case, my dad’s visa got approved the very next day. My mother’s visa status, however, changed to “could not be completed on time” and we were asked to contact NPRA on the office numbers or the email id: evisa@gdnpr.gov.bh
We could not reach them on call, but we did send an email. A day later, we directly approached their office and requested to act on our case, That’s when we were told to attach the back page of my mother’s passport.
The same day, we received an email requesting to reapply for the evisa with the right documents. So we applied the second time, and in 3 days our visa got approved.
The final visa looks something like this:
In the case of an e-visa, you don’t need a stamp on your passport before arrival in Bahrain. The website says that we need not carry the e-visa as the immigration officers will have it in their system even before we arrive. But we anyway told our parents to carry it.
Hope you enjoy this cute little country soon!
Featured photo of Bahrain by Vipin Mohan
Curious to know more about Bahrain? Check out these posts
My first thoughts on moving to Bahrain
A visit to Al-Areen wildlife park and reserve
Allured by an incense and how!
A tale of two birds in Bahrain
A visit to Al Fatih Grand mosque in Bahrain
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Hi! My name is Rubitah. I’m a Content Writer certified Life Coach, Counselor, Social Work professional and the Founder of Being Rubitah. Over the years through my professional and personal life, I have realized that prayers and love can do wonders to family life once you come to terms with yourself and surrender to God. Do you relate to me? Then you may like what I post here! Read more about me
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