How to Get a Saudi Visit Visa from Bahrain

Introduction

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have enjoyed close ties for many years. With the two nations only a heartbeat away from each other, it’s no wonder many Bahrainis and Saudi Arabians often cross countries just to enjoy their wealth of tourist attractions, scenic city views, and breathtaking natural landscapes.

Big things are also in store for the region as Saudi Arabia invests $800 billion in major luxury developments such as the Red Sea Project, Amaala, Marafy, Jeddah Metro, Qiddiya, Jeddah Economic City, and King Salman Park.

How can Bahraini citizens and residents apply for a Saudi visa from Bahrain? Are they exempted or not from the process and if not, what are the requirements? In this article, we dive into the Saudi visa application process.

Eligibility

If you’re a Bahraini citizen and are traveling to Saudi Arabia, you don’t need to apply for a Saudi visa. As a GCC national, you’re exempted from all types of Saudi visas and you can travel to Saudi Arabia anytime you wish.

When you arrive in Saudi Arabia, simply present your national ID card or any other valid document proving your citizenship in the UAE. GCC member countries include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Being a Bahraini citizen also exempts you from needing to go through the different ways of obtaining a Saudi visa.

While Bahraini citizens are exempt from the Saudi visa application process, Bahraini residents, on the other hand, must secure a Saudi visa. What are the steps and requirements involved? How much does it cost? Read on to learn more.

Applying for a visa

As mentioned, while Bahraini citizens are exempt from the Saudi visa application process, Bahraini residents must secure a Saudi visa. What are the steps and requirements involved? How much does it cost? How does the e-visa work and how can Bahraini residents apply for it?

Option 1: Saudi e-visa or visa on arrival

The Saudi e-visa is the easiest and simplest visa you can apply for.

The Saudi e-visa program, launched in September 2019, makes it easier for citizens from eligible countries to secure a Saudi visa. It allows foreign nationals entry into Saudi Arabia for various purposes such as tourism, business, and even Umrah.

Under Saudi Arabia’s new e-visa system, eligible travelers arriving in Saudi Arabia no longer need to get a visa sticker stamped on their passports. Instead, these are replaced by a printed e-visa featuring a QR code. This QR code will contain all the essential data and information about the passenger, effectively functioning as a digital visa.

Apart from eligible nationalities (including dual citizens from eligible countries), permanent residents in the US, EU, or the UK; holders of visit visas (Schengen, US, UK); and residents in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates), as long as they have been a resident for at least three months.

What’s great about the e-visa is that it already covers tourism-related activities and Umrah (excluding Hajj season).

How the Saudi e-visa works

Now that we know who is eligible for a Saudi e-visa, let’s understand how it works.

Under the new e-visa system, eligible travelers arriving in Saudi Arabia don’t need a visa sticker stamped on their passports. Instead, these are replaced by a printed e-visa featuring a QR code. This QR code will contain all the essential data and information about the passenger, effectively functioning as a digital visa. The e-visa can be accessed online and will be instantly delivered via email.

Requirements

To apply for a Saudi e-visa, you will typically need to prepare the following:

• Passport with at least 6 months validity
• A completed visa application form
• Passport-sized photos (in JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, or BMP file formats; not bigger than 100 KB; and 200×200 pixels in dimension)
• Travel Insurance

Application

To apply for a Saudi e-visa, visit KSA Visa, select the e-visa of your choice, and fill out the online application form.

Apart from indicating whether you would like to apply for a single or multiple-entry visa, you’ll also need to provide your personal information and passport details, as well as upload a digital passport-size photo with a white background.

Based on your submitted application, the form will generate the corresponding visa validity: 365 days or 1 year for a multiple-entry visa and 90 days for a single-entry visa. Both single and multiple-entry visas are valid for a total of 90 days.

Visa fees

The visa application fee includes $80 for the visa fee (refundable), $10.50 for the visa digital service fee (non-refundable), $10.50 for the insurance digital service fee (non-refundable), and the insurance fees.

Note that the insurance fee will vary depending on your chosen medical insurance provider). You can pay via international debit or credit card.

Application

To apply for a Saudi e-visa, visit KSA Visa, select the e-visa of your choice, and fill out the online application form.

Apart from indicating whether you would like to apply for a single or multiple-entry visa, you’ll also need to provide your personal information and passport details, as well as upload a digital passport-size photo with a white background.

Based on your submitted application, the form will generate the corresponding visa validity: 365 days or 1 year for a multiple-entry visa and 90 days for a single-entry visa. Both single and multiple-entry visas are valid for a total of 90 days.

Processing time

Now that you’ve completed your online visa application form, it’s time to wait. The processing time can take anywhere between 1 minute to 3 business days. You’ll know if your visa has been approved once you receive an e-mail from KSA Visa.

Option 2: Visa on arrival

The next easy and convenient option is the visa on arrival issued upon a foreign national’s entry into a country. Note that although it is a quick and easy way to get a Saudi visa, it might be more practical to apply for a Saudi e-visa ahead of time to avoid any surprises at the airport.

Similar to the e-visa, those who hold eligible citizenship (including dual citizens); have active US, UK, or Schengen visit visas; are permanent residents of the US, UK, or the EU; as well as GCC nationals or residents can avail of a Saudi visa on arrival.

The Saudi visa on arrival is valid for 1 year from its issuance date. The multiple-entry visa on arrival is valid for 1 year from the date of issuance. It allows the traveler to stay for a maximum of 90 days.

Option 3: Transit/Stopover Visa

There’s another way you can easily enter Saudi Arabia: the Saudi transit or stopover visa, which is open to all nationalities. It allows travelers to pass through Saudi land borders, airports, or ports. This is probably not the most ideal option for all, but it’s a good option if you are staying for less than four days in Saudi Arabia.

Travelers may opt to apply for a transit/stopover visa via Saudi Arabia’s Saudia or Flynas Airlines by booking two flights with a suitable layover of between 12 to 96 hours. While the transit/stopover visa is free, it is still subject to administrative and medical insurance fees. Alternatively, travelers may apply for a standard transit/stopover visa via KSA Visa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Although we’ve covered essential information about applying for a Saudi visa from Bahrain, you may still have questions and clarifications. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions.

How can I get an Umrah visa from Bahrain?

To get an Umrah visa from Bahrain, you may apply for a Saudi tourist e-visa if you are eligible for it. The tourist e-visa allows holders to not just perform tourism activities, but also visit family and friends, attend business engagements, seek medical treatment, or perform Umrah.

How much does it cost to get a Saudi visa from Bahrain?

The visa fee will depend on what type of Saudi visa you are applying for and through which route (online, on arrival, as part of a layover, or through VFS centers or Saudi embassy/consulate) due to administrative costs, taxes, insurance, and other additional fees.

Do I need a visa to travel to Saudi Arabia from Bahrain?

Unless you are a Bahraini citizen, yes, you will need a visa to travel to Saudi Arabia from Bahrain. You may apply for a visa on KSA Visa, Saudi Arabia’s unified platform for visa applications.

Can I apply for another tourist visa?

You may not apply for another tourist visa if you are currently under a valid Saudi tourist visa. You may re-apply for a new tourist visa once the current one expires.

Can I extend my stay in Saudi Arabia with an e-visa?

Note that if you are granted a Saudi e-visa, it cannot be extended.

What should I wear while I’m in Saudi Arabia?

Both men and women should dress modestly while in Saudi Arabia, otherwise they potentially face penalties. Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes or clothes displaying profane language or images. Women should cover their shoulders and knees when in public.

Generally, wearing long, loose tops, long pants or trousers, or long skirts up to the ankle is safe. The only time you should not abide by this rule is when the situation calls for different attire, such as when swimming. Similarly, choose to wear modest swimming attire.

Conclusion

Bahrainis can expect great things in the Gulf tourism sector with plans for a unified GCC visa and with big tourist developments in Saudi Arabia.

With Saudi Arabia just a stone’s throw away, it’s an attractive destination that Bahrainis can easily access, also as Bahraini citizens don’t need a visa to travel to Saudi Arabia.

Bahraini residents, meanwhile, need to apply for a Saudi visa. For more details, they can visit KSA Visa or consult the Saudi embassy in Bahrain.

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