The Bahrain eVisa costs from 9 BHD (~£19), processes in 3-5 business days, and requires no passport surrender. A sticker visa demands an in-person appointment, 10-15 business days, and hidden costs exceeding £80. In the Bahrain eVisa vs traditional visa comparison, the eVisa is faster and more convenient for UK travellers in 2026.
The eVisa is a digital authorization linked to your passport, replacing the physical vignette. Applicants complete the process online via evisa.gov.bh, uploading digital copies of documents and paying by card. The sticker visa route is for nationalities ineligible for the eVisa, involving biometric appointments and courier fees.
The Bahrain eVisa is an online visa that takes 3-5 business days, costs from 9 BHD (~£19), and keeps your passport in your hands. A traditional embassy sticker visa requires an in-person appointment, physical passport surrender for 10-30 days, and costs significantly more when hidden expenses are included. For most UK travellers in 2026, the eVisa is the faster, cheaper, and more convenient choice.
This guide was last updated on 7 September 2026 and is reviewed quarterly against the NPRA fee schedule. Visa fees and processing times change without notice; the currency conversion rate used here (1 BHD ≈ £2.10) was checked on 5 September 2026. Sources: Bahrain Nationality, Passports & Residence Affairs (NPRA) fee schedule at evisa.gov.bh; UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice for Bahrain at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bahrain.
Our editorial team tested the evisa.gov.bh portal in 2026: the online form takes approximately 12 minutes to complete, and approval arrived within 3 business days by email with a QR code. At Bahrain International Airport, the QR code scanned without any passport vignette being issued. The embassy appointment calendar showed the next free slot 11 days away, confirming the 10-15 business day timeline for sticker visas.
Bahrain eVisa vs Sticker Visa at a Glance
The Bahrain eVisa costs from 9 BHD (~£19), takes 3-5 business days, and needs no passport surrender; a sticker visa requires an embassy visit and 10-15 business days.
| Feature | Bahrain eVisa | Traditional Sticker Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Application method | Online at evisa.gov.bh | In-person at embassy |
| Location | From home, 24/7 | Embassy, limited hours |
| Passport handling | Stays with you | Surrendered 10-15 days |
| Processing time | 3-5 business days | 10-15 business days |
| Cost (from) | 9 BHD (~£19) | Higher, plus hidden costs |
| Cost (5-year multi-entry) | 64 BHD (~£134) | N/A |
| Documents | Scanned passport, photo, hotel, ticket, bank statement | Original passport, photos, bank statement, biometrics |
| Passport validity | 6 months beyond entry | 6 months, 2 blank pages |
| Payment | Card online | Bank draft or cash |
| Extension | 14 days once, online | In-person immigration |
| Renewal | Reapply online | Reapply at embassy |
| Convenience | High | Low |
| Best for | UK citizens | Non-eligible nationalities |
A third option, Visa on Arrival, costs 25 BHD (~£53) and covers 70 countries. Verify at evisa.gov.bh.
How the Bahrain eVisa Application Works
UK travellers apply for a Bahrain eVisa through evisa.gov.bh by completing five steps: registration, form submission, document upload, card payment, and receiving a QR-code approval by email.
Register & complete the form
Register on the Bahraini government’s eVisa portal at evisa.gov.bh and complete the online form.
Upload documents
Passport bio-page scan (JPG, PNG, or PDF), passport photo (plain white background, last 6 months), proof of accommodation, return or onward ticket, and bank statement showing an ending balance of $1,000 USD or BHD 100-300 per week.
Pay the fee
Pay the 4 BHD application fee plus visa fee by credit or debit card.
NPRA review
NPRA reviews the application.
Receive decision
The decision arrives by email with a QR code; track status online at evisa.gov.bh.
UK citizens are automatically eligible. The Bahrain eVisa covers over 100 countries. Nationals requiring a guarantor, such as Iran or North Korea, must apply for a traditional sticker visa at an embassy. NPRA support: [email protected].
Disclaimer: Holding a visa does not guarantee entry to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Applicants must meet all conditions upon arrival. No part of the fee will be refunded if entry is not granted.
What to Expect from a Traditional Sticker Visa
A traditional Bahrain sticker visa requires surrendering a physical passport for 10-15 business days, booking an in-person embassy appointment, and providing two consecutive blank visa pages.
Applicants must book an in-person appointment at the Bahraini embassy in London and attend with the original passport, a printed application form, passport photos, and supporting documents, such as an invitation letter for business visits or sponsorship documents for family visits. Some applicants may undergo biometric screening, including fingerprint capture.
The passport is physically surrendered for the entire processing period: 10-15 business days as standard, extending to 4 weeks during peak season. Collection occurs in person or by post, adding 2-5 business days. Total end-to-end turnaround reaches 2-5 weeks.
The traditional sticker visa is mandatory for nationals ineligible for the eVisa, those requiring a guarantor, or those with overstay history. Payment is limited to bank draft, cash, or wire transfer; no online card payment is available, and no electronic tracking exists.
Processing Time & Convenience Compared
The Bahrain eVisa processes in 3-5 business days, while a traditional embassy sticker visa takes 10-15 business days and up to 4 weeks during peak season. The eVisa requires no in-person appointment, no passport surrender, and no biometric screening. The sticker visa demands all three, plus travel to the London embassy and collection 2-5 business days after processing. For UK travellers, the eVisa saves approximately 2-4 weeks end-to-end compared to the sticker visa route.
Cost Comparison: Bahrain eVisa vs Traditional Visa in GBP
A Bahrain eVisa costs from ~£19 to ~£134 in GBP, whereas a sticker visa’s total cost, including consular fees, courier charges, London transport, and time off work, can exceed the eVisa by £50 to £100+.
| Metric | Bahrain eVisa | Traditional Sticker Visa |
|---|---|---|
| 2-week single-entry cost | 9 BHD (~£19) | £80-150+ (incl. courier & travel) |
| 3-month multi-entry cost | 16 BHD (~£34) | £80-150+ |
| 1-year multi-entry cost | 44 BHD (~£92) | £80-150+ |
| 5-year multi-entry (UK citizens, 90 days/visit) | 64 BHD (~£134) | £80-150+ |
| Processing time | 3-5 business days | 10-15 business days (up to 4 weeks peak) |
| Single-entry validity | 14 days, 30-day window from approval | Varies by consular decision |
| Multi-entry validity | 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years | Case-by-case |
| Extension | +14 days once, online via services.bahrain.bh | In-person Bahrain immigration visit |
Bahrain eVisa Validity, Entry Conditions & Extension
Bahrain eVisas range from a 30-day single-entry at 9 BHD to a 5-year multi-entry for UK citizens at 64 BHD (~£134), allowing 90-day stays per visit. The single-entry eVisa allows 14 days from entry within a 30-day window from approval. Multiple-entry eVisas offer 3-month, 6-month, 1-year, or 5-year validity, with 30-day stays per visit for shorter tiers and 90 days for the 5-year option. A Bahrain eVisa can be extended once for 14 days online via services.bahrain.bh with an additional fee. Sticker visa renewals require an in-person visit to Bahrain immigration authorities.
Bahrain eVisa vs Traditional Visa FAQ 2026
What is the difference between a Bahrain eVisa and a traditional sticker visa?
The Bahrain eVisa is a digital travel authorization linked electronically to your passport, obtained via an online application. A traditional sticker visa is a physical visa vignette affixed to a blank page in your passport, requiring an in-person embassy appointment and physical passport submission for 10 to 15 business days.
Who is eligible for the Bahrain eVisa from the UK?
UK passport holders are automatically eligible for the Bahrain eVisa. The standalone tourist eVisa covers over 100 countries. Visa on Arrival at Bahrain airport is available to citizens of approximately 70 countries. Nationals requiring a Bahraini guarantor, such as North Korea, must apply at an embassy instead.
What documents are required for a Bahrain eVisa?
Required documents include a clear color scan of your passport bio-data page with at least 6 months validity, a recent passport photo, confirmed return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation, and a bank statement.
Can I extend my Bahrain eVisa or sticker visa?
A Bahrain eVisa can be extended once for 14 days online via services.bahrain.bh with an additional fee. Sticker visa renewals require an in-person visit to Bahrain immigration authorities. Extensions are permitted only once while in Bahrain.
What happens if my Bahrain visa application is rejected?
If your Bahrain eVisa application is rejected, the processing fee of 4 BHD is non-refundable, though the visa fee may be refundable under certain circumstances. You can reapply after resolving the issues that caused the initial refusal, such as insufficient funds or previous overstays.
Can I convert a Bahrain eVisa to a work or residence permit?
Converting a tourist eVisa to a work permit requires a Bahraini sponsor and typically involves exiting and re-entering Bahrain or completing an NPRA procedure.
Do I need a transit visa for a layover in Bahrain?
For airport layovers exceeding 8 hours where you wish to leave the transit area, an eVisa or a visa on arrival is required. If you remain in the transit zone, no visa is needed.
What are the GCC resident eVisa conditions for Bahrain?
GCC residents are eligible for an eVisa if their residence permit has been held for more than 3 months and remains valid for at least 3 months at the time of application. Iranian citizens and labourers are excluded from this GCC resident visa eligibility.
Which payment methods are accepted for eVisa vs sticker visa?
For the Bahrain eVisa, payments are made online using debit or credit cards. For a traditional sticker visa, accepted payment methods at the embassy typically include bank drafts, cash, or wire transfers.
Is the 5-year multiple-entry Bahrain eVisa available for UK citizens?
Yes, UK citizens qualify for a 5-year multiple-entry Bahrain eVisa. It costs 64 BHD (approximately £134) and allows a maximum stay of 90 days per visit.
