Which countries can Bahraini passport holders visit without a visa?

Bahraini passport holders have visa-free access to 57 countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, Hong Kong, China, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Georgia, Serbia, Ukraine, Belarus, Philippines, Mauritius, Botswana, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, and several Caribbean nations. Additionally, 27 countries offer visa-on-arrival and 7 require electronic travel authorization.

Do Bahraini citizens need a visa for the USA, UK, or Schengen countries?

Yes, Bahraini citizens need visas for the USA and all Schengen countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, etc.). For the UK, Bahrainis must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before travel. Canada, Australia, and Japan also require advance visa applications. These are among the most commonly asked visa requirements for Bahraini travelers.

Can Bahraini passport holders get a visa on arrival in popular destinations?

Yes, Bahraini citizens can obtain visa-on-arrival in 27 countries including Indonesia, Maldives, Cambodia, Nepal, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Rwanda, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bolivia, and Laos. Requirements typically include a valid passport (minimum 6 months validity), return ticket, proof of accommodation, and visa fees payable in cash (USD or local currency).

Is military service mandatory for Bahraini passport holders?

Yes, military service is mandatory for male Bahraini citizens. As of recent regulations, conscription applies to males aged 18 and above for a period of one year. Exemptions and deferrals may be granted for students, sole breadwinners, or medical reasons. This requirement does not affect naturalized citizens over a certain age, but birth citizens must complete service or obtain official exemption before unrestricted international travel.

How do I renew my Bahraini passport and what documents are required?

Bahraini passport renewal can be done through the General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence (NPRA) online portal or in person. Required documents include: current passport, valid CPR card (smart card), recent passport photo, and payment of fees (BD 20 for 5 years, BD 40 for 10 years). Processing typically takes 3-5 working days. Passports can be renewed up to 6 months before expiration.

Can Bahraini citizens travel to Israel or countries that stamp Israeli visas?

Bahraini citizens can travel to Israel following the normalization of relations through the Abraham Accords in 2020. However, this remains politically sensitive and many Bahrainis avoid such travel due to public opinion. An Israeli stamp or entry history does not currently restrict Bahraini passport holders from entering other countries, though some Arab nations may scrutinize travel history.

Which countries require e-visas for Bahraini passport holders?

Bahraini citizens must apply for e-visas (online visas) for 28 countries including India, Vietnam, Russia, Colombia, Cuba, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Togo, Benin, Guinea, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, South Sudan, and Somalia. Applications are submitted online before travel, with processing times ranging from 2-10 business days depending on the destination.

Do Bahraini passport holders have freedom of movement and right to work in GCC countries?

Bahraini citizens enjoy visa-free travel to all GCC countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar). However, the right to work is not automatic. Employment in other GCC states requires sponsorship and work permits, though GCC nationals often receive preferential treatment in hiring. Some professions have mutual recognition agreements, and certain sectors prioritize GCC nationals over other expatriates.

What are the common reasons for Bahraini passport application rejection or travel restrictions?

Common reasons include: incomplete documentation, poor quality passport photos not meeting ICAO standards, outstanding government debts or fines, pending legal cases or travel bans, unfulfilled military service obligations for males, security concerns flagged by authorities, or discrepancies in personal information. Additionally, some Bahraini citizens may face restrictions if flagged in international databases or have dual nationality issues with countries not recognizing dual citizenship.

Bahrain Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 88 Countries

The Bahrain passport ranks 59th globally in 2025, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 88 destinations worldwide. This Gulf state travel document provides moderate international mobility, with steady improvement in global access over the past two decades from 38 visa-free destinations in 2006 to 88 in 2025. Bahraini citizens benefit from simplified travel arrangements to numerous countries across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, making it a reasonably strong passport for business and leisure travel within the Middle East region and beyond.

Global Rank

#59

out of 199 countries

Visa Free Access

countries worldwide

Mobility Score

out of 100 points

Quick Statistics for Bahrain passport

Visa-Free

On Arrival

ETA Required

E-Visa

111

Visa Required

Source: Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Bahraini Citizens

Popular destinations where Bahrain passport holders can travel without a visa:

Country	Maximum Stay	Code
Turkey	Up to 90 days	TR
Malaysia	Up to 90 days	MY
Thailand	Up to 90 days	TH
Singapore	Up to 90 days	SG
Georgia	Up to 90 days	GE

Visa Requirements by Country

Complete breakdown of visa requirements for Bahrain passport holders

✅ Visa-Free

53 countries

🛬 Visa on Arrival

28 countries

🔐 ETA Required

7 countries

💻 E-Visa

27 countries

❌ Visa Required

111 countries

Historical Ranking Trend

Bahrain's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Maintained stable ranking from 2006 to 2025

Official Bahrain Passport & Travel Resources

Access official government resources for passport services, travel advisories, and visa information:

🔗

Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA)

🔗

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Bahrain

🔗

eVisa Kingdom of Bahrain

🔗

Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority

Compare Bahrain Passport with Other Passports

See how Bahrain's passport compares with other MIDDLE EAST in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Bahrain (You are here)	#59	88	72/100	71/100
Qatar	#52	111	78/100	48/100
Kuwait	#55	99	64/100	72/100
Saudi Arabia	#57	90	45/100	72/100
Oman	#60	87	62/100	70/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

The Bahraini passport ranks 59th globally in 2025 with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 88 destinations. This represents a slight decrease from 91 destinations in 2024. Bahraini citizens enjoy visa-free access to countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey, China, Hong Kong, UAE, and most GCC states, plus electronic travel authorization to the UK, New Zealand, South Korea, and Kenya.

Explore More Passport Rankings

Discover Bahrain's passport power and compare with other countries to find the world's most powerful travel documents.

View All Passport Rankings

Last Updated: November 9, 2025

Source: IATA Travel Centre, Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Bahrain Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 88 Countries

Country

Maximum Stay

Code

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Historical Ranking Trend

Bahrain's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Maintained stable ranking from 2006 to 2025

Compare Bahrain Passport with Other Passports

See how Bahrain's passport compares with other MIDDLE EAST in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Bahrain (You are here)	#59	88	72/100	71/100
Qatar	#52	111	78/100	48/100
Kuwait	#55	99	64/100	72/100
Saudi Arabia	#57	90	45/100	72/100
Oman	#60	87	62/100	70/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Quick Statistics for Bahrain passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Bahraini Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Bahrain's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official Bahrain Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Bahrain Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How powerful is the Bahraini passport in 2025?

Which countries can Bahraini passport holders visit without a visa?

Do Bahraini citizens need a visa for the USA, UK, or Schengen countries?

Can Bahraini passport holders get a visa on arrival in popular destinations?

Is military service mandatory for Bahraini passport holders?

How do I renew my Bahraini passport and what documents are required?

Can Bahraini citizens travel to Israel or countries that stamp Israeli visas?

Which countries require e-visas for Bahraini passport holders?

Do Bahraini passport holders have freedom of movement and right to work in GCC countries?

What are the common reasons for Bahraini passport application rejection or travel restrictions?

Explore More Passport Rankings

Quick Statistics for Bahrain passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Bahraini Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Bahrain's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official Bahrain Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Bahrain Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How powerful is the Bahraini passport in 2025?

Which countries can Bahraini passport holders visit without a visa?

Do Bahraini citizens need a visa for the USA, UK, or Schengen countries?

Can Bahraini passport holders get a visa on arrival in popular destinations?

Is military service mandatory for Bahraini passport holders?

How do I renew my Bahraini passport and what documents are required?

Can Bahraini citizens travel to Israel or countries that stamp Israeli visas?

Which countries require e-visas for Bahraini passport holders?

Do Bahraini passport holders have freedom of movement and right to work in GCC countries?

What are the common reasons for Bahraini passport application rejection or travel restrictions?

Explore More Passport Rankings