Bahrain family visit visa: visiting relatives in Bahrain

The family visit option is a general visit visa for people coming to see relatives who live or work in Bahrain. It is not a residence permit: it covers a stay of limited length set out in the visa conditions, and family members who want to live in Bahrain need a residence route instead.

In the eVisa eligibility form you choose "General Visit" and then "Family Visit". Whether you can apply yourself depends on your nationality: nationals on the online list file the application on their own; others need a guarantor in Bahrain.

Self-applicants follow the standard eVisa process: eligibility check, "See conditions", the online form, document upload in every requested category and a first card payment. NPRA decides in about 3 to 5 working days and emails you; after approval you finish under "Pay for Application" and print the visa.

Each visitor needs their own application and passport. Children endorsed in a parent's passport cannot be added to the parent's application.

A visit visa can be extended after arrival. NPRA accepts extension requests at its main office on Exhibitions Avenue in Manama (Building One, ground floor) and at the Ministry of Interior service centre in Muharraq (Building 378, Sheikh Hamad Street, Complex 211). The eVisa portal also links to an online extension service on the Bahrain.bh government portal.

An extension fee is charged. The portal does not publish the amount or the maximum length of an extension, so check the conditions of your visa type and apply before your permitted stay ends.

If your nationality is not on the online list, a guarantor in Bahrain must apply. NPRA names Bahraini companies and Bahraini citizens among the possible guarantors. Organisations with a Bahraini commercial registration can register on the eVisa portal as "registered users"; the portal says this lets them apply for visas for their employees' family members, business clients and visitors.

A registered user is an employee of the organisation itself, not a clearing agent. Registration needs the printed application, an authorisation letter to NPRA, a copy of the commercial registration and the user's ID card reader printout, all stamped by the organisation. Registered users benefit from reduced documentation for applications, and the visa types available depend on the nature of the guarantor's business.

NPRA does not refund the processing fee when an application is refused, and holding a visa does not guarantee entry: if an immigration officer refuses you at the border, no part of the fee is returned. After a refusal you may submit a new application; the refusal email tells you whether to contact NPRA or a Bahraini embassy.

Submitted applications cannot be edited. If NPRA finds wrong data or a missing attachment, it emails you, and you must open "Visa Data Correction" and fix only those items within 7 days of the notice, otherwise the application is cancelled. For any other mistake you have to request cancellation from the email address used in the application, quoting the visa reference number, and then apply again.