PassportSouth Africa

Trip checklist: Bahrain

For South African passport holders. Last checked 5 October 2026.

Visa requirement

South Africans need to apply online for an e-visa before travel to Bahrain.

Permitted stay

You can stay up to 14 days per visit, and you can apply to extend.

Before you go

  • Purpose of visit

    Tourism and visits. You may not take up any paid or unpaid work on a visit visa.

  • Passport validity

    At least 6 months from arrival.

  • How to apply

    Online at evisa.gov.bh (Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs). The South African visa agency GSA quotes BD 5 application fee plus BD 5 visa fee for the 2-week e-visa, and BD 5 for a visa on arrival. Wikipedia cites BD 16 for a 3-month multiple-entry visa and BD 44 for a 1-year multiple-entry visa. Documents listed by GSA: passport copy, confirmed return ticket, hotel booking or host's ID, and 3 months of bank statements showing at least USD 1,000. Processing time not published.

  • Where South Africans apply

    Online only for the e-visa. Bahrain has no embassy in South Africa; GSA says Bahrain is accredited to South Africa from its embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

  • Return or onward ticket

    Confirmed return or onward ticket required for the e-visa (GSA).

  • Proof of funds

    Bank statements for the last 3 months with a minimum balance of USD 1,000 (GSA).

  • Accommodation or invitation

    Hotel booking, or the ID of your host in Bahrain (GSA).

  • Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

    Bahrain requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you arrive from a yellow fever transmission risk country (UK FCDO). South Africa is not a risk country. Bahrain is not a risk country, so South Africa does not require a yellow fever certificate when you return directly.

  • Extending your stay and overstaying

    Overstaying carries fines and legal penalties. Travel bans can stop you leaving if you have unpaid debts, pending legal cases or custody disputes (UK FCDO).

  • Confirm with the embassy

    Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Research sources

  1. 1. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bahrain/entry-requirements
  2. 2. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Bahrain
  3. 3. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_South_African_citizens
  4. 4. The GSA (South African visa agency) (Commercial, thegsa.co.za) https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2751-bahrain-country-guide

From doineedavisa.co.za/bahrain. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.