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Bahrain International Airport Transit Visa 2026

Airside transit at BAH is visa-free for all. Bahrain e-visa is available online for 100+ nationalities.

Airside transit zone at Bahrain International Airport

BAH has a modern airside transit facility. Gulf Air primary carrier — connections to Europe, Asia, Africa via Bahrain.

Usually need a transit visa

  • • To enter Bahrain: nationals not on Bahrain e-visa list

Usually exempt

  • • Airside transit — all nationalities
  • • GCC citizens — visa-free entry
  • • Bahrain e-visa (or visa on arrival for many): USA, UK, EU/Schengen, Australia, NZ, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore + 100+ others

Visa types + cost

Airside transit (no visa)

Duration
Unlimited within layover
Price
Free
Process
None.

Bahrain e-visa (tourist)

Duration
2 weeks, 3 months, or 1 year multi-entry
Price
BHD 9 (~$24) for 2-week, BHD 16 (~$42) for 3-month
Process
Apply at evisa.gov.bh — 3-5 business days.

Bahrain visa on arrival

Duration
2 weeks
Price
BHD 5 (~$13)
Process
Available at airport for eligible nationalities — check e-visa list first.

Real scenarios

Scenario 1
Any passport, BAH airside layover 4 hours
No visa needed
Scenario 2
UK citizen weekend Manama stopover
Apply Bahrain 2-week e-visa (BHD 9) or use visa on arrival BHD 5
Scenario 3
Indian citizen wants to visit Manama Souq
Bahrain e-visa online 3-5 days

Official source

https://evisa.gov.bh

Visa rules change frequently. Always verify with the official source before travel.

Staying the night in Manama?

If your connection is overnight and you can enter Bahrain, search hotels in Manama. Prices and availability are on the booking site; AirConnect earns a commission if you book through this link.

Manama hotels on Expedia

If you have Expedia Rewards points or a saved payment method, this is the fastest path to a confirmed booking. Free cancellation on most rates, price-match guarantee.

Search Manama on Expedia

US default

Expedia bundles the flight + hotel discount in-cart (5-30% off the combined book). Price-match guarantee means you can rebook if the rate drops before check-in.

See Manama rates