VISA REQUIREMENTS

Easy access to visas
Visas are required by all visitors to Bahrain- regardless of purpose of visit- except passport holders of the GCC States (Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates).

Foreign nationals may enter Bahrain with a tourist visa (for individuals or groups), 72-hour visa, 7-day visa, visit visa, business visa, family visa, dependent visa or an employment visa.

In addition, all visitors who hold valid resident permits for Saudi Arabia can be issued a free 2-week visa.

All applications for extension must be signed by a local sponsor. In the case of tourist visas, the hotel may act as a sponsor.

eVisa
Some visitors to Bahrain can apply and pay for an electronic visa for Bahrain. Please visit website www.evisa.gov.bh for full information.

Tourist Visa
This type of visa can be obtained at the Bahrain International Airport or King Fahad causeway for citizens of the EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong and the United States.

Visitors must have no criminal record or involvement in activities that could threaten public order or national security. They are not permitted to seek employment while in Bahrain.

Groups may obtain visas to Bahrain for a duration of up to 2 weeks, renewable once for a similar period. Visas are obtained through hotels, travel and tourist agencies and other firms licensed to conduct tourist activities in Bahrain.

Visit Visa
This is issued to foreign nationals who intend to visit relatives or friends in Bahrain. The application for a visit visa must be signed by a local sponsor and presented to the General Directorate for Immigration and Passports.

The following documents must be presented with the application:

_ a letter from the applicant's sponsor;
_ a copy of the applicant's CPR card;
_ a copy of the visitor's passport.

The visit visa is normally valid for one month's stay in Bahrain, but can sometimes be extended to a maximum of three months. A longer stay may be granted in exceptional circumstances.

A person on a visit visa is not allowed to work or engage in business activities during their stay in Bahrain.

Business Visa
This type of visa is similar to a visit visa, but the purpose of the visit is business.

RECOMMENDED HOTELS

Gulf Hotel Bahrain
P.O. Box 580, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
Telephone +973 17713000
Fax +973 17712088
E-mail ghres@batelco.com.bh
Website www.gulfhotelbahrain.com

Mercure Grand Hotel Seef
P.O. Box 18084, Seef, Kingdom of Bahrain
Telephone +973 17584400
Fax +973 17582359
E-mail h5685sm@accor.com.bh
Website www.mercurebahrain.com

Crowne Plaza Bahrain
P.O. Box 5831, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
Telephone +973 17531122
Fax +973 17530154
E-mail crowneplaza@batelco.com.bh
Website www.crowneplaza-bahrain.com

The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa
P.O. Box 55577, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
Telephone +973 17580000
Fax +973 17580333
E-mail info@ritzcarlton.com.bh
Website www.ritzcarlton.com

Banyan Tree Desert Spa & Resort, Al Areen
P.O. Box 75055, Juffair, Kingdom of Bahrain
Telephone +973 17845000
Fax +973 17845001
Email reservations-bahrain@banyantree.com
Website www.banyantree.com/bahrain

The Regency Intercontinental Bahrain
P.O. Box 777, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
Telephone +973 17227777
Fax +973 17229929
E-mail bahrain@interconti.com
Website www.intercontinental.com/manama

Sheraton Bahrain Hotel
P.O. Box 30, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
Telephone +973 17533533
Fax +973 17534069
E-mail reservations.manama.bahrain@sheraton.com
Website www.sheraton.com/bahrain

Golden Tulip Hotel Bahrain
P.O. Box 1090, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
Telephone +973 17535000
Fax +973 17523020
E-mail info@goldentulipbahrain.com
Website www.goldentulipbahrain.com

Diplomat Radisson SAS
P.O. Box 5243, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
Telephone +973 17531666
Fax +973 17530843
E-mail sales.diplomat@radissonsas.com
Website www.diplomatrdsas.com.bh

Fraser Suites Seef Bahrain
P.O. Box 11873, Road 2825,
Block Al Seef 428, Building 2109,
Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
Telephone +973 17569333
Fax +973 17569338
E-mail sales.bahrain@frasershospitality.com
Website bahrain.frasershospitality.com


RECOMMENDED TAXIS & CAR RENTAL

Avis
Tel: +973 17531144
Fax: +973 17531441

Budget
Tel: +973 17534100
Fax: +973 17535402

Europcar
Tel: +973 17321249
Fax: +973 17321999

Hertz
Tel: +973 17677035
Fax: +973 17677038

Oscar
Tel: +973 17211682
Fax: +973 17211641