Yes	Yes/1	Yes
Yes	Yes/1	Yes
Yes	Yes/1	Yes
Yes	Yes/1	Yes
Yes	Yes/1	Yes

Valid passport for at least six months from date of departure required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except the following:
(a) transit passengers continuing their journey by the first connecting flight, provided holding confirmed tickets and appropriate travel documents and remaining within the transit area.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the emabassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

1. Nationals of EU countries (except nationals of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia), Australia, Canada and USA may obtain visas on arrival at Bahrain International Airport or King Fahad Causeway holding valid passports and possibly return/onward tickets for touristic or business stays of up to two weeks. The fee is approximately US$13. If working for a media company (eg a newspaper or TV company) a special invitation from the Bahrain authorities is required.

Tourist: £20 (two-week, single-entry), renewable for two further weeks once in Bahrain, at the General Directorate of Immigration and Passports, Manama. Business: £40 (four-week, multiple-entry), only available to British, Canadian and US nationals.

Three months from date of issue (Tourist); five years (Business).

Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Contact Addresses.
Note: (a) No Objection Certificates are obtainable through various hotels, travel agencies and other companies licensed to carry out touristic activities in Bahrain. Organised groups are charged a fee of BHD5 per person (approximately US$13). Non-British students must obtain and validate an NOC from a Bahraini resident (relative, friend or hotel spokesperson) and also submit a letter from university detailing the student status to accompany it. Long-term business visas should be arranged by the employing company in Bahrain. (b) Some visitors can now apply for an electronic visa in Bahrain, through the website www.evisa.gov.bh. This has the added benefit of being 24-hour and enabling secure online credit payment and multiple applications, if necessary.

Two.

PO Box 5831, Manama, Bahrain
Tel: (17) 530 530 or 1122 or 534 321.
Website: www.alseyaha.com

30 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8QB, UK
Tel: (020) 7201 9170.
Website: www.bahrainembassy.co.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1600; 0900-1200 (visa section).

3502 International Drive, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 342 1111.
Website: www.bahrainembassy.org

No	No
No	No
No	N/A
No	N/A

Water is treated and considered safe by the Ministry of Health in Bahrain, although visitors may prefer to drink bottled water. All modern hotels have their own filtration plants. Visitors are advised to eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot.

Typhoid fever and hepatitis A occur; hepatitis B is endemic.

There is a comprehensive medical service, with general and specialised hospitals in the main towns. An emergency health service is provided free of charge or at a nominal fee. Pharmacies are well-equipped with supplies.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2006-June 2007 period.

Jan 1 2006 New Year’s Day. Jan 10 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Jan 31 Al-Hijrah (Islamic New Year). Feb 9 Ashura. Apr 11 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). Oct 22-24 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 16 National Day. Dec 31 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
Jan 1 2007 New Year’s Day. Jan 20 Al-Hijrah (Islamic New Year). Jan 29 Ashura. Mar 31 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).

Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there are restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix.