Latest News: Government to suspend entry of travelers from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka from 24 May to stem COVID-19 spread (Khaleej Times, 23.05.2021). French authorities add Bahrain, Colombia, Costa Rica and Uruguay to list of COVID-19 high-risk countries (SVI, 17.05.2021). Bahrain establish 'corridor' for vaccinated travellers (Reuters, 10.05.2021).
International Restrictions:
Commercial flights are now operating to and from Bahrain on a reduced service.
*Entry to Bahrain: Bahrain International Airport remains open, including for transit and transfer passengers, and visas on arrival are available for UK nationals. All arrivals aged 7 years and above, except for those transferring within the airport or those who fit the exemptions outlined below, must present an approved negative PCR test certificate with QR code conducted no more than 48 hours prior to departure, and undertake and pay for PCR tests on arrival and on the tenth day of the stay, as well as quarantine for a period of ten days in their residence or at a licensed quarantine facility (proof of residence or hotel booking is required). You will be required to download the “BeAware” app in advance of testing.
You should check Bahrain’s visa portal for the most up to date information. All arrivals from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh must also have Bahraini citizenship or visa residency to be allowed entry to Bahrain. For information on this and other updates please also check Bahrain’s Airport website.
*Exemptions and demonstrating your COVID-19 vaccination status. Arrivals who have not been in Bahrain’s ‘red list’ countries (currently India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh) within 14 days of arrival in Bahrain, and can prove official COVID-19 vaccination status from the UK (NHS App or letter), the EU, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore or Canada are exempt from quarantine and the need to present a pre-departure PCR test, however will still be required to undergo and pay for the enhanced arrivals testing procedure for COVID-19, which includes the need to self-quarantine until the first test results have been received. Upon proving your vaccination status on arrival you will receive a ‘Vaccination Certification Card’ which will allow you access to indoor public services in-country. You should not use your vaccine appointment card to demonstrate your vaccine status.
Arrivals who can prove they have been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 in Bahrain or a GCC country can show their official COVID-19 vaccination status (Bahrain BeAware App or GCC app) or recovery certificate, or those who can prove vaccinated in a country that has a reciprocal recognition agreement with the Kingdom of Bahrain (currently includes Hungary, Israel, Greece and Cyprus) will be exempt from quarantining and from undergoing the arrivals PCR testing procedure, and will also receive a ‘Vaccination Certification Card’.
Passengers between the age of 7 and 17 will undergo the enhanced arrivals testing procedure for COVID-19, as well as quarantine for 10 days in all cases.
Flights may also be subject to suspension or a reduced/changed service. You should check with your airline for the most up to date information before travelling to Bahrain and monitor the Bahrain News Agency for further updates as these restrictions may be subject to change.
In addition to fulfilling visa requirements, those arriving into Bahrain via the King Fahd Causeway are required to provide a negative Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) certificate valid from a test taken up to 72 hours before arrival into Bahrain, if they are unable to prove exempt as set out above. The negative PCR test result required can be provided on any official COVID-19 phone application, such as the “BeAware” app, “Tatamman”, “Sehhaty” and “Alhusen”, as well as others. Travellers can also provide a printed negative PCR certificate containing a QR code. From Sunday 17 January 2021 PCR testing services at the Causeway will no longer be available. You should arrange to take a private test.
The King Fahd Causeway reopened on 3 January 2021 to allow travel into Saudi Arabia from Bahrain.
*Transiting Bahrain: Transit and transfer passengers are permitted to use Bahrain International Airport without the requirement to undergo testing. You should check Bahrain’s visa portal for the most up to date information.
*Testing on arrival: All arrivals into Bahrain aged 7 years and above, must pay for and undergo a coronavirus test on arrival and self-isolate until test results have been received, unless they are able to prove an exemption as set out above. The fixed fee will also cover a further coronavirus test required to be taken on the tenth day after arrival into Bahrain. Those arriving via the King Fahd Causeway will not be tested but unless exempt as above, are required to provide a negative PCR certificate valid from a test taken up to 72 hours before arrival into Bahrain.
*Quarantine requirements: All arrivals into Bahrain aged 7 years and above, will be subject to coronavirus testing procedures, and will be required to self-isolate until test results have been received, unless they are able to prove an exemption as set out above. Those who test positive will be subject to further quarantine measures and health treatment, offered free of charge, at hospital or quarantine centres. Those who test positive but are without symptoms may be permitted to self-isolate at home or at their hotel. Two additional coronavirus tests are required five and ten days following arrival, which can be booked through the “BeAware” app or by calling 444.
The Government of Bahrain has stated that anyone subjected to self-isolation/quarantine must comply or face up to three months in jail and a fine of up to 10,000 BHD. Visit the website of the Government of Bahrain’s Ministry of Health for additional information.
*Data collection: All arrivals are required to provide contact details and download the “BeAware” Bahrain app, which will be used to monitor compliance during the self-isolation period. The second PCR swab test can be booked through the app or by calling 444. Internal Restrictions:
*Travel in Bahrain: Bahrain International Airport remains open, including for transit and transfer passengers. All arrivals aged 7 years and above, must present a negative PCR test certificate with QR code conducted no more than 48 hours prior to departure, and undertake and pay for PCR tests on arrival and on the tenth day of the stay, as well as quarantine for a period of ten days in their residence or at a licensed quarantine hotel (proof of residence or hotel booking is required). In addition, all arrivals from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh must hold Bahraini citizenship or visa residency.
Exemptions to these rules, which include those who have been fully vaccinated in Bahrain and the GCC, are set out on the Entry requirements page.
For information on this and other updates please also check Bahrain’s Airport website.
In addition to fulfilling visa requirements, unvaccinated arrivals into Bahrain via the King Fahd Causeway are required to provide a negative PCR certificate valid from a test taken up to 72 hours before arrival into the Kingdom of Bahrain, if they are not exempt as set out on the Entry requirements page. The negative PCR test result required can be provided on any official COVID-19 phone application, such as the “BeAware” app, “Tatamman”, “Sehhaty” and “Alhusen”. Travellers can also provide a printed negative PCR certificate containing a QR code. From Sunday 17 January 2021 PCR testing services at the Causeway will no longer be available. The King Fahd Causeway reopened on 3 January 2021 to allow travel into Saudi Arabia from Bahrain.
*Accommodation: Accommodation including hotels and private rental properties are permitted to be open, and are subject to public health measures such as the wearing of masks in public areas. Amenities such as restaurant dining and pools are open subject to vaccination and social distancing guidelines.
*Public places and services: Schools and universities are open, with in-school learning permitted. Shops, gyms, sports halls and swimming pools are also permitted to be open with strict social distancing measures in place. Restaurants are open with social distancing guidelines, including a maximum of 6 people per table, and limited indoor dining. Restrictions on social gatherings remain (including in private residences) and limited to a maximum of 6 people. Places of worship are open from 14 March 2021 with some restrictions in place.
From 21 May until 3 June 2021, access to shops, retail outlets (except supermarkets, banks and pharmacies) and indoor services including malls, restaurant/café dining, gyms, spas, swimming pools, cinemas, sporting events and events & conferences, will be limited to only those able to show an official vaccination or recovery certificate issued in Bahrain or a GCC country, or a vaccination certification card proving the acceptance of their vaccination status given upon arrival at a port of entry. All those aged 17 and below will not be allowed access to the above indoor services in any cases. Outdoor services remain accessible to non-vaccinated individuals as normal.
You should comply with mandatory social distancing measures, including limiting gatherings to members of the same household or closed social circle and utilising outdoor spaces rather than enclosed spaces. It is mandatory to wear face masks in public, including on all public transport and while travelling in taxis, with fines of 20 Bahraini Dinars for failure to do so. Rules are strictly enforced by the authorities and non-compliance can result in immediate fines and/or arrest.