Honorary consulate
Honorary Consulate of South Africa, Manama
Manama
Hannover Retakaful B.S.C., Al Zamil Tower, 17th Floor, Governmnet Avenue, Manama
Bahrain visa requirements for South African citizens
South African citizens get a visa on arrival in Bahrain, for up to 14 days.
Passport
ZAF
South Africa
Going to
BHR
Bahrain
Visa on arrival
Eligible travellers can get a visa at Bahrain International Airport after online checks.
- Visa
- On arrival
- Max stay
- 14 days
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
What to do
Bring the arrival fee in cash, in a widely accepted currency, plus a passport photo.
Have your return or onward ticket and accommodation details ready.
Queue at the visa-on-arrival desk before immigration in Bahrain.
Ways into Bahrain
Check whether you need a visa for a short visit.
Visa on arrival For your passportVisa on arrivalEligible travellers can get a visa at Bahrain International Airport after online checks.
How to apply
- Check online using your citizenship, residence and trip purpose.
- Read the rules for the arrival visa offered.
- Show the requested documents at Bahrain International Airport.
- Pay the fee and wait for border staff approval.
- Your citizenship or a foreign visa alone does not prove you qualify.
- The guide gives no shared fee, stay limit or document list.
eVisa365-day multiple-entry eVisaAn online visitor visa that lets eligible people enter Bahrain more than once.
- Valid for
- 365 days
- Fee
- BHD 45
- Processing
- 1 day
- Entries
- Multiple
How to apply
- Check online and select this visa.
- Upload your documents.
- Pay the application and visa fees.
Documents required
- Passport copy; valid over 180 days
- Hotel booking or Bahrain home address
- Return flight ticket
- 90-day bank statements; income ≥1,000 USD
- Enter within 90 days; check your visa for each visit's stay limit.
- Processing target: 1 working day; a 14-day extension costs 25 BHD.
eVisa14-day tourist eVisaAn online visa for visitors who pass the visa website's checks.
- Stay
- 14 days
- Valid for
- 90 days
- Fee
- BHD 10
- Processing
- 1 day
- Entries
- Single
How to apply
- Check online and choose this visa while outside Bahrain.
- Fill in the form and upload your documents.
- Pay 5 BHD and save your reference number.
- After approval, pay 5 BHD and download your visa.
Documents required
- Passport copy; valid over 180 days
- Hotel booking or Bahrain home address
- Return flight ticket
- 90-day bank statements; income ≥1,000 USD
- Use within 90 days; a 14-day extension costs 25 BHD.
- Target: 1 working day; general guidance says 3–5 working days, sometimes longer.
eVisaGulf resident 14-day eVisaAn online visa for eligible people who live in a Gulf country.
- Stay
- 14 days
- Valid for
- 90 days
- Fee
- BHD 10
- Processing
- 1 day
- Entries
- Single
How to apply
- Check the online rules for Gulf residents.
- Apply outside Bahrain and upload your documents.
- Pay the fees online.
Documents required
- Passport copy; valid over 180 days
- Residence permit valid ≥90 days
- Return visa valid ≥90 days
- Use within 90 days; processing target: 1 working day.
- The page lists a 90-day extension for 25 BHD; check before relying on it.
eVisaGulf resident multiple-entry eVisaAn online visa allowing repeat visits for eligible Gulf country residents.
- Fee
- BHD 17
- Processing
- 1 day
- Entries
- Multiple
How to apply
- Check online that your Gulf residence qualifies.
- Apply outside Bahrain and upload the requested documents.
- Pay the fees.
Documents required
- Passport copy; valid over 180 days
- Other documents requested online
- Use within 90 days; the page's 90-day duration does not clearly state stay limits.
- Processing target: 1 working day; a 14-day extension costs 25 BHD.
eVisaGulf resident 365-day eVisaAn online visa for repeat visits by eligible Gulf country residents.
- Valid for
- 365 days
- Fee
- BHD 45
- Processing
- 1 day
- Entries
- Multiple
How to apply
- Check online that your Gulf residence qualifies.
- Apply outside Bahrain and upload your documents.
- Pay the fees.
Documents required
- Passport copy; valid over 180 days
- Residence permit valid ≥90 days
- Return visa valid ≥90 days
- Enter within 90 days; the guide gives no maximum stay per visit.
- Processing target: 1 working day; a 14-day extension costs 25 BHD.
eVisaGulf visitor multiple-entry eVisaAn online visa for eligible people with a Gulf country visitor visa.
- Fee
- BHD 17
- Processing
- 1 day
- Entries
- Multiple
How to apply
- Check online using your Gulf country visitor visa.
- Apply outside Bahrain and upload your documents.
- Pay the fees.
Documents required
- Passport copy; valid over 180 days
- Current Gulf visitor visa copy
- Use within 90 days; the page's 30-day duration does not clearly state stay limits.
- Processing target: 1 working day; a 14-day extension costs 25 BHD.
eVisa1,825-day multiple-entry eVisaAn online visa for repeat visits by people the checker finds eligible.
- Valid for
- 1825 days
- Fee
- BHD 65
- Processing
- 1 day
- Entries
- Multiple
How to apply
- Use the online checker to confirm you qualify.
- Submit your form and passport copy.
- Pay the fees.
Documents required
- Passport copy; valid over 180 days
- Enter within 90 days; the guide gives no maximum stay per visit.
- Processing target: 1 working day; a 14-day extension costs 25 BHD.
Sources (30)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Bahrain Electronic Visa Service
- Official Visa Eligibility Checker
- Electronic Visa Process
- Electronic Visa FAQ
- Conditional Online Visa Country List
- Conditional On-arrival Visa Country List
- Bahrain Tourism: Visa
- Bahrain National Portal: Visas
- NPRA: Two Weeks Single Entry Electronic Visa
- NPRA: Business Visa
- NPRA: Investors' 3 Months Single Entry Electronic Visa
- NPRA: Student Visa
- Bahrain National Portal: New Work Permit
- Bahrain National Portal: Medical and Biometric Procedures for Expatriate Employees
- NPRA: Visit Visas
- NPRA: Visa for Bahraini Citizens' Direct Family Members
- NPRA: One Year Multiple Entry Electronic Visa
- NPRA: Two-Week Single Entry Electronic Visa for GCC Residents
- NPRA: 3 Months Multiple-Entry Electronic Visa for GCC Residents
- NPRA: One-year Multiple Entry Electronic Visa for GCC Residents
- NPRA: One-month Multiple Entry Electronic Visa for GCC Visitors
- NPRA: 3 months Multiple Entry Electronic Visa for UK and Ireland
- NPRA: 6 Months Multiple Entry Electronic Visa for UK and Ireland
- NPRA: 5 Years Multiple Entry Electronic Visa
- NPRA: 10 Years Multiple Entry Electronic Visa
- NPRA: Bahrain Grand Prix and Other Races
- NPRA: Multiple Entry Electronic Training Visa
- NPRA: Self-sponsored Investor Residence and Re-entry Visa
- NPRA: Self-sponsored Retired Foreigner Residence and Re-entry Visa
- NPRA: Self-sponsored Property Owner Residence and Re-entry Visa
Embassies for this trip
For lost passports and emergencies.
Coming from South Africa
- Plugs GAdapter needed
- MoneyBHD .د.ب
- Time+1h
- DrivingOn the rightLook left first
- LanguageArabic
- Emergency999 police
Planning your Bahrain trip
Best time to go: November to March. Bring a sweater for cool evenings from December to February; May to September is very hot and humid.
- Bahrain FortThis restored fort near Manama is a World Heritage Site. Entry is free.
- Bahrain Fort Site MuseumThe museum beside the fort displays finds from the ancient Dilmun period through the Islamic era. It also has a cafe overlooking the sea.
- Tree of LifeThis tree has survived for more than 400 years in the desert without nearby water. Sunset offers views of the tree and surrounding desert.
- Dilmun Burial MoundsThese ancient burial mounds are mostly in and around A'ali. They are on the World Heritage List.
Scams to watch for in Bahrain
- Taxi overcharging and trips without the meterA driver asks for an inflated fare or takes the trip without using the meter. Most taxis use meters, but excessive price demands still happen. Reports of extreme overcharging are occasional.
- Poor hotel exchange rates for Saudi riyalsSaudi riyals are widely accepted at about 10 riyals to one Bahraini dinar. Some hotels may give a worse rate, costing you a few percent. Change may be returned in dinars.
- Imitation branded watches in souqsSouqs sell watches described as “rolexes”. Treat these as a warning about authenticity. Negotiating a price does not establish that a branded item is genuine.
About Bahrain
Bahrain is an island state in the Persian Gulf, linked to Saudi Arabia by a road causeway.
- Capital
- Manama
- Money
- Bahraini dinar (.د.ب)
- Languages
- Arabic
- Time zone
- UTC+03:00
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +973
Other Africa passports
Going to Bahrain
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Bahrain with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Do south african citizens need a visa for Bahrain?
South African citizens get a visa on arrival in Bahrain, for up to 14 days.
How long can south african citizens stay in Bahrain?
Up to 14 days each visit with the visa on arrival rule. Staying longer can mean a fine or a ban from coming back.
Can I get the Bahrain visa at the airport?
Yes. South African citizens get the visa when they land in Bahrain. Carry cash for the fee, a passport photo, your return ticket and hotel details.
Do bahraini citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Bahraini citizens need an eTA, a short online form, before flying to South Africa.
Do other Africa passports get easier entry to Bahrain?
Algeria, DR Congo, Egypt, Gabon Lesotho, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Bahrain are easier for south african citizens?
Georgia, Oman, Palestine, Qatar Armenia, and 3 more let south african citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Bahrain?
Bring the arrival fee in cash, in a widely accepted currency, plus a passport photo. Have your return or onward ticket and accommodation details ready.
What money is used in Bahrain?
Bahraini dinar (.د.ب). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Bahrain?
Arabic.
How strong is the South Africa passport?
It ranks #51 and reaches 91 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck