Bahrain’s Fourth-Phase Visa Reforms Now in Effect: New E-Visa Options, Extended Stays & 114 Eligible Countries
- Xavi
- 12 hours ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
MANAMA, September 7, 2026 – Bahrain has officially launched the fourth phase of its new visa policy, introducing a fresh suite of entry options designed to attract more tourists, business visitors, and long-stay travellers.
The reforms, announced by the Interior Ministry’s Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA), add a new single-entry visa, expand the one-year multiple-entry e-visa, and significantly extend permitted stays for key nationalities.
What’s New in Phase Four?
New Visa Option | Key Details |
New Single-Entry Visa | Allows a two-week stay |
One-Year Multiple-Entry E-Visa | Permits stays of up to 90 days per visit |
Three-Month Multiple-Entry Visa | Stay extended from two weeks to one month |
Five-Year Multiple-Entry Visa (US, UK, Canada, Ireland) | Stay extended from 30 to 90 days |
Who Is Eligible?
The new visa options are available to nationals of 114 countries, including residents of GCC states. Passport holders from 67 countries (and GCC residents) can also obtain visas on arrival at Bahrain’s entry points.
Category | Details |
E-Visa Eligible | 114 countries |
Visa on Arrival | 67 countries + GCC residents |
GCC Citizens | Visa-free entry |
NPRA Undersecretary Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa described the reforms as “another step for Bahrain’s commitment to openness,” noting that the country has “taken great strides in recent years in making the country even more accessible.”
Broader Context: GCC Unified Visa on the Horizon
The fourth-phase rollout comes as the GCC prepares to pilot a Unified Gulf Tourist Visa – dubbed the “GCC Grand Tours Visa” – in the fourth quarter of 2026, beginning with a Dubai–Bahrain air corridor.
GCC Visa Initiative | Timeline |
Dubai–Bahrain Pilot | Q4 2026 |
Full Rollout | Early 2027 (Oman, Saudi, Qatar, Kuwait) |
Estimated Cost | $120–130 for 60–90 day multi-country permit |
The unified visa will allow travellers to move between GCC states with a single authorisation, mirroring Europe’s Schengen model.
Impact and Outlook
The phased visa liberalisation is expected to deliver significant economic and tourism benefits:
Projected Impact | Details |
Intra-Regional Tourism | At least 20% increase |
Average Stay | From 3.5 nights to 7 nights |
Tourist Arrival Increase | Projected 30% rise |
Regional Arrivals (2024) | 72.2 million (up 6.1% YoY) |
Regional Tourism Receipts (2024) | USD 120.2 billion |
Bahrain welcomed 347,463 visitors between May 26 and June 1, 2026 alone, with the King Fahad Causeway accounting for 291,618 of those arrivals.
Read Also
Official Resources
Resource | Link |
Bahrain E-Visa Portal | |
NPRA Official Website | |
Bahrain Tourism Authority |
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