How to Apply for a Bahrain Visa in Denver

Residents of the Denver area looking for lush island beaches, rich cultural attractions, and a relaxed cosmopolitan lifestyle are increasingly drawn to the Kingdom of Bahrain.  An archipelago of 33 islands in the Persian Gulf, Bahrain is located between the northeastern coast of Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the Middle East.

The Kingdom of Bahrain has been a constitutional monarchy since 2002.  Originally the center of the ancient Dilmun civilization, Bahrain has been ruled by Arabs; became part of the Portuguese Empire; and was a protectorate of Great Britain for almost a century before gaining independence 1971.  The country has been famous since ancient times for its pearl fisheries and seagoing trade routes.  In 1932, Bahrain became the first Persian Gulf country to discover petroleum, transforming the country into one of the wealthiest nations in the world.  Its strategic position in the Persian Gulf accounts for the U.S. Naval Support Activity (NSA) station there.

“Bahrain has a history to reflect on with pride,” travel publication Lonely Planet said recently (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/bahrain). “Boasting its own Formula 1 Grand Prix, a growing art and foodie scene heavily cross-pollinated by Manama's huge expat population, and a wealth of activities enjoyed on the azure waters surrounding this collection of islands, Bahrain will appeal to Denver-based travelers who seek an unpretentious, yet confident country bearing all the hallmarks of a modern, wealthy Gulf nation.  This multilayered and multicultural destination is often overlooked by tourists, so you'll probably have the place all to yourself.”

One of the first areas to be influenced by Islam, Bahrain contains a number of important archaeological and religious sites.  Today, more than 80% of Bahrain’s 1.5 million residents are Muslims.  However, only about half of those residents are citizens of Bahrain; the rest are primarily workers from such countries as India, Nepal, and Pakistan.  Arabic is the official language but English is widely used, as reflected in bilingual signs displaying both languages.

While oil and gas account for more than 60% of the country’s exports and 70% of government revenues, the kingdom is rapidly diversifying its economy. “Targeted areas for manufacturing include plastics, fiberglass, chemicals, petrochemicals, and food processing,” with a major focus on petrochemicals, according to the U.S. Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/bahrain-oil-and-gas).  Another ITA report noted that renewable energy and construction offer the best opportunities for American companies, while the Bahraini government ranks financial services, education, healthcare, logistics, transportation, and tourism as the most productive areas for near-term investment (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/bahrain-overview-best-industry-prospects).  The United States and Bahrain have operated under a free trade agreement since 2006, making the country a favorable investment destination for Denver-based companies. 

For Denver area residents who wish to visit the country as tourists, the Kingdom Bahrain offers unique experiences, ranging from luxury beach resorts to guided desert tours.  Manama, the capital and largest city, has been a crossroads of Persian Gulf commerce for thousands of years.  Located on the island of Bahrain (which comprises more than 80% of the kingdom’s territory), the ancient port city is known for the Bahrain National Museum; Al Fatih Mosque, the country’s grand mosque; Beit Al Quran, home to a huge collection of ancient Qurans; and 200-year-old Jai Shri Khrishna Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in the Gulf region.  The modern city also features an iconic skyscraper skyline, state-of-the-art shopping malls, art galleries, traditional crafts markets (called souks), a diverse restaurant scene, vibrant nightclubs, and events such as Formula One racing at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Bahrain Fort (Qal’at al-Bahrain), one of the country’s three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is located on the harbor in Manama and dates back to 2300 BC.  The other two World Heritage sites are the Dilmun Burial Mounds (2200 to 1750 BC) and Pearling, a pearl industry-oriented site that includes 17 buildings in Muharraq City, three offshore oyster beds, and the Qal’at Bu Mahir fortress on Muharraq Island.  Despite its small size (less than 300 square miles), Bahrain features diverse wildlife, 300+ bird species, and unique butterflies.  The kingdom maintains five wildlife protection areas: Al Areen Wildlife Park, a zoo and breeding center for endangered animals, plus four marine environments.  Its warm sandy beaches also offer spa resorts, seaside hotels, yacht cruises, and watersports such as scuba diving, fishing, waterskiing, and kayaking.

Bahrain Visa Requirements

Citizens of the United States and most other countries (except citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in the Middle East) living in the Denver area are required to obtain an entry visa to visit Bahrain.  U.S. citizens can apply for an electronic visa online or obtain a visa upon arrival--although the e-Visa is recommended to make sure you can gain entry upon arrival.  Nationals from some other countries can obtain a traditional paper visa through the Bahraini embassy in the country where they live.

The main requirement to obtain a visa is holding a passport valid for at least six months and containing a minimum of one blank page for each entry stamp you would receive.  Any person at least nine months of age who arrives from an area where yellow fever is prevalent must present a WHO “yellow card” or similar proof that they have been vaccinated against the disease.  The Centers for Disease Control also recommends travelers to Bahrain should be current with other routine vaccines (https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/bahrain).

Obtaining a Bahrain Visa from Denver

Citizens of the United States and more than 200 other countries (https://www.evisa.gov.bh/list-of-online-visa-country.html) can apply for an electronic visa online or upon arrival in Bahrain (https://www.evisa.gov.bh/list-of-onarrival-visa-country.html).  However, to avoid the risk of being turned back at the border, travel experts recommend getting an online visa before you visit.

Not all Bahraini embassies offer in-person visa service.  To see if traditional visas are available in your country of residence, visit https://www.evisa.gov.bh/VISA/visaInput?nav=A0S&A0S=a. Click on the “Apply for Visa”, and answer the eligibility questions.  If the next page gives you the option to apply “via embassy”, click that link to find which embassy you can contact.  More details can be found at https://www.evisa.gov.bh/VisaBhr2En-via-embassy.html.

Applying for an Electronic Visa (e-Visa)

Application forms and details about the online visa can be found at https://www.evisa.gov.bh.  You will need to create an account, complete the application, attach the required documentation, and submit your fees through the website.

Bahrain offers several visa types, including tourism, business, and family visits.  The most common choice is the two-week, single-entry visit visa (which can be extended after you arrive). There are also multiple-entry visas good for three months, one year, five years, or 10 years, with varying lengths of stay per visit.  On-arrival visas are available for a single entry, two week stay, or for multiple entries over three months.  The Kingdom also offers a “golden residency” visa (https://services.bahrain.bh/wps/portal/GoldenResidency_en), which allows investors, retirees, property owners, and other qualified individuals and their families to live and work permanently in Bahrain.

To apply for an electronic tourist or business visa, you will need to provide:

  • Copy of your passport, which must be valid for at least six months and contain at least one blank page.
  • Copy of your return air ticket
  • Proof of hotel booking. If you are staying with a friend or relative, you must provide a copy of their national ID.
  • If you apply to stay for 5 or 10 years, you will need to furnish a copy of three months’ of bank statements showing you had a balance of at least $1,000 each month
  • Form of payment.
  • Health Insurance. Although not required for the visa, we recommend purchasing international medical insurance to cover accidents, injuries, and illnesses while traveling in Bahrain.  International medical insurance from GeoBlue can be purchased from Visa Supply online through the following link: ⇒ Order Now.

Fees include an application fee of BD 4 (about $10.65, based on current exchange rates), payable when you apply, plus a visa fee payable upon approval.  The visa fees vary by length of stay, ranging from BD 5 ($13.30) for the two-week visa to BD 64 ($170) for a 10-year visa.

The application process is:

  • Visit https://www.evisa.gov.bh/VISA/visaInput?nav=A0S&A0S=a and click on the “Apply for Visa” link. Fill out the online application form.
  • Upload the required documentation.
  • Pay the application fee with a credit card. Write down the Application Reference Number that appears when your payment is accepted.
  • Once your application is approved, you will receive a notification email and a PIN number. (If you are not approved, you will also receive an email detailing next steps.)
  • Return to the visa homepage and select “Pay for Application.” Complete the form and enter your PIN to retrieve your application. You have a month to pay the visa fee.

Once your online visa is issued, you have three months to enter Bahrain before your entry window expires.  Otherwise, you will have to apply for another visa and pay the fees again.

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

Visa Supply can help you complete your application for your visa and answer your questions about visiting Bahrain.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the government of Bahrain.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans.

If you live in Denver or anywhere in the state of Colorado and have difficulty applying for a Bahrain visa, or require assistance with any part of the process of preparing for your trip, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company through our website.  We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Bahrain visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents. 

We provide the following Bahrain visa services for residents of Denver:

  • Bahrain Tourist Visa
  • Bahrain Business Visa
  • Bahrain Family Visit Visa
  • Bahrain Investment Visa
  • Bahrain Golden Residency Visa
  • Bahrain Hotel Accommodations