Bahrain Visa for Foreign Employees of GCC Companies (2026)
The Bahrain Visa for Foreign Employees of GCC Companies is a separate NPRA service for foreigners who work for companies operating in GCC countries. This guide covers only what NPRA publishes for this category: who submits the application, the required documents, the fees and the processing time. It is a different service from the GCC-resident eVisa.
What Is This Bahrain Visa Category?
The NPRA service “Visa for Foreign Employees of GCC Companies” is for foreigners who are employed by companies operating within GCC countries (NPRA).
NPRA’s page includes this note: if a residence permit is granted, the resident is not allowed to engage in any form of work, paid or unpaid, during their stay. If your goal is to work for a Bahraini employer, see our Bahrain work visa guide instead.
NPRA also lists a separate Residence Permit for Foreign Employees of GCC Companies. It is a different service with its own conditions and fees, covered in its own section below.
Who Is Eligible?
Per NPRA’s visa page:
- The applicant is a foreigner employed by a company operating in a GCC country.
- The applicant must be outside Bahrain when the application is submitted.
- The application must be submitted by a guarantor or an authorised person.
- Each application is submitted separately, with all its documents.
NPRA’s page does not publish a list of eligible nationalities. The description itself does not mention family members, but the document list (enrolled passport, head-of-household resident permit, husband’s salary certificate and return visa, marriage and birth certificates) shows that family members of GCC employees are covered by the service. Confirm your exact case with NPRA before applying.
Company and Employment Requirements
The required documents point to these conditions:
- A GCC guarantor letter attested to by the GCC nation’s commercial and industrial authorities.
- A current certificate of company registration from a GCC nation.
- The commercial registration of the guarantor company.
- The resident permit of the enrolled head of household.
NPRA asks for a GCC company registration certificate. It does not mention registering the company with NPRA.
Required Documents
- Application form (for submission at the service centre only)
- Clear copy of the ID card of the applicant, or of the authorised person submitting the application
- Clear copy of the applicant’s passport, valid for more than six months
- Clear copy of the enrolled passport
- Clear copy of the GCC guarantor letter, certified by the commercial and industrial GCC entity
- Clear copy of the enrolled (head of household) resident permit
- Clear copy of the valid company registration certificate from a GCC country
- Clear copy of the guarantor company’s commercial registration
- Clear copy of a certificate proving the husband’s salary
- Clear copy of the residential lease agreement in the Kingdom of Bahrain
- Clear certified birth certificate, issued by the courts of Bahrain or another country
- Clear copy of a certified marriage certificate, issued by the courts of Bahrain or another country
- Clear copy of the husband’s return visa issued in Bahrain
NPRA also states that it may request any additional documents or information at any time. Because the list mixes employee and family documents, confirm with NPRA which items apply to your case before submitting.
How to Apply: Bahrain Visa for Foreign Employees of GCC Companies
- The applicant must be outside Bahrain when the application is submitted.
- The GCC guarantor or an authorised person must submit the application.
- The application is submitted through personal attendance at the Muharraq Security Complex, Isa Town branch.
- Submit a separate application for each applicant, with all the required documents.
- Keep the receipt and pay the relevant fees. Payment must be completed within 30 days of approval, or the application is automatically cancelled.
Fees and Processing Time
| Fee | Amount |
| Application fee (non-refundable) | BHD 5 |
| Visa approval fee | BHD 5 |
| Visa issuance fee | BHD 30 |
| Total | BHD 40 |
Processing time: 3 working days, per NPRA.
Validity and Permitted Stay
NPRA states that the visa becomes invalid if it is not used within three months of issuance. The issued visa must be used by this deadline. It does not state how long the visitor may stay in Bahrain after entry.
NPRA’s published service page does not specify the permitted stay per visit, the number of entries, extension rules or a complete list of eligible nationalities. Contact NPRA to confirm these details before applying.
Separate Residence Permit
NPRA also offers a Residence Permit for Foreign Employees of GCC Companies. It has its own application process and fee structure.
| Fee | Amount |
| Application fee (non-refundable) | BHD 5 |
| Issuance of residence permit | BHD 50 |
| Renewal of residence permit | BHD 60 |
Processing time: 1 working day, per NPRA.
Key conditions for the residence permit:
- The application must be submitted by a guarantor or an authorised person.
- The applicant must be inside Bahrain when the application is submitted (the visa above requires the applicant to be outside).
- Each application is submitted separately, with all relevant documents.
- Documents include the application form (service centre only), the ID card of the person submitting, the applicant’s passport (valid for more than six months), the residential lease agreement in Bahrain, the household GCC resident permit, a valid GCC company registration certificate and, for renewals, the certified GCC guarantor letter.
- Residents may not engage in any form of work, paid or unpaid, unless an official permit is issued by the relevant authority.
How It Differs From the GCC-Resident eVisa
NPRA also lists a 3-month multiple-entry eVisa for GCC residents. The two are separate services:
| Visa for Foreign Employees of GCC Companies | 3-Month eVisa (GCC Resident) | |
| Applicant location | Outside Bahrain | Outside Bahrain |
| Who submits | Guarantor or authorised person | Not specified on NPRA’s page |
| Application fee | BHD 5 (non-refundable) | BHD 5 (non-refundable) |
| Issuance fee | BHD 30 (plus BHD 5 approval) | BHD 12 |
| Processing time | 3 working days | 1 working day (issuance) |
| Extension | Not stated | BHD 25 for 14 days |
NPRA also lists a one-year multiple-entry eVisa for GCC residents. We did not review its terms. For eVisa details, see our Bahrain eVisa guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work in Bahrain with this visa?
No. NPRA’s page says that if a residence permit is granted, the resident may not do any paid or unpaid work during their stay.
Can I apply myself?
NPRA says the application must be submitted by a guarantor or an authorised person.
Can I apply from inside Bahrain?
Not for the visa. The applicant must be outside Bahrain when the application is submitted. The separate residence permit, by contrast, is applied for from inside Bahrain.
Where is the application submitted?
By physically visiting the Isa Town office of the Muharraq Security Complex, according to NPRA.
How long does processing take?
NPRA lists 3 working days for the visa and 1 working day for the residence permit.
How much does it cost?
NPRA lists BHD 5 (application, non-refundable), BHD 5 (approval) and BHD 30 (issuance), BHD 40 in total for the visa.
When must I pay?
Payment must be made within 30 days of approval, or the application is automatically cancelled.
Is a Bahrain address required?
Yes. NPRA lists a residential lease agreement in Bahrain among the required documents.
How long is the visa valid?
The visa becomes invalid if it is not used within three months of issuance. NPRA does not state the permitted length of stay after entry. Confirm with NPRA.
NOTE: GulfVisaGuide.com is an independent information site, not a government website. Fees and requirements can change. Confirm all details with NPRA before applying.
