º£½ÇÂÒÂ×

Menu
º£½ÇÂÒÂ×
Search
Magazine
Search

Saudi Bahrain Causeway

Ess@5751

Is saudi Bahrain causeway open for on arrival visa for Saudi Iqama holders ?

See also

Iqama visa in Saudi ArabiaVisas in Saudi ArabiaChanging SCE membership from Technician to EngineerVisa issues for Hep-B positiveName spelling mistake in Yellow slip Istiqdam
GuestPoster98

As i saw in many other topics, for iqama holders its not a problem since you get on arrival visa, the issue is only for visit visa who need to get the visa online before they travel via causeway.

Also its clear you can enter bahrain with shehatty app PCR, but when coming back to saudi within 72hrs you cannot use the same PCR, so how&where do u do the PCR to return to SAUDI.

Anyone who has traveled please advise it will be helpful..

XTang

There are many threads where I have already commented on this. 

/forum/viewtopic.php?id=915392/forum/viewtopic.php?id=914625/forum/viewtopic.php?id=913557

And dozens more.  To keep it simple, it doesn't matter whether you can get visa on arrival.  Saudi immigration is actively discouraging people from exiting unless they can show a Bahrain visa or residence or a genuine reason (have to convince them). 

Assuming you manage to reach Bahrain, on the way back, you can do a free test by going to random testing locations (daily list announced on defendbahrain instagram) or do a paid test.

pacafdoc

I crossed the border 2 weeks ago. There were almost no vehicles going both directions. From KSA to Bahrain, there were 5 check points:

1. Before leaving KSA, you will have to pay 20 SAR by credit card only at toll both.
2. After getting to the middle island, DO NOT take the VIP lane / Diplomatic lane , it will just take you back to KSA, instead take the middle lane.
3. At first checkpoint, they will check for your passport/visa, vehicle registration/causeway pass and issue you flimsy receipt which you hand to the next checkpoint. I had a causeway pass with the vehicle registered to my iqama card.
4. At the next check point, the exchange the receipt for an entry stamp in your passport. YMMV here. My passport did not require an entry visa, I don't know about obtaining visa on arrival process.
5. Then you go through a COVID-19 checkpoint, where the medics take your temperature. If you have a negative test obtained 72 hours prior to making the border entry, make sure the print out has a valid stamp/seal. They prefer you to show your negative result on your hospital related apps. I had a paper copy and a digital copy and was able to get to the next station, otherwise, you will pay for a mandatory COVID-19 test and download their app.
6. With a validated negative COVID-19 test, you will drive to another checkpoint to drop off the COVID-19 paperwork along with your entry passport/visa.
7. I thought I was finally done, then 2 more security people along the way stopped me... one looked at my passport and another one asked if my vehicle had insurance... then I was cleared... whole ordeal took about 45 mins.

Now I have to figure out a way to come back, if anyone knows if KSA needs a negative entry test before returning from the causeway, please let me know.

GuestPoster98

Thank you XTang & pacafdoc.

Also please do update your return experience to riyadh.. as i checked the pcr in private hospitals will cost u 35BD.i dont know if the free pcr in bahrain will work since we hold only passport and not cpr...stay safe..

XTang

Return experience is similar. After exiting Bahrain you pull into a parking lot which has a cabin where you go in and sign forms.  Then back in your car and onto Saudi immigration.

Few additions to the previous post:

The causeway toll fee is 25 SAR for most people and not 20 (if you have a pass then yes) .  Also the vip lane doesn't take you back to Saudi but you can't use it without a pass.... If you don't have a pass then yes it will take you back to Saudi :).

Point 4 is not entry visa stamp, it is exit stamp from Saudi. Point 6 is where you get the entry stamp of Bahrain. Visa on arrival or visa before or residence, all the same... Except visa on arrival for some cases requires payment of a fee there and then.

Point 5, you need to choose the right lane.  If you have a prior test go right where the sign says tests within 72 hours.  If you don't have a test and go in this lane, they will turn you around and send you to the far left lane.

GuestPoster98

To be on safe side just thought of online visa, If i apply for the online visa, can we use that in causeway or you need to travel by flight?

Since the causeway on arrival visa is on doubt if we will be allowed by saudi side to enter bahrain

XTang

Try.  Prior to Covid, the evisa was not valid for travel via the causeway.  Only multiple entry evisa was.

GuestPoster98

Yes ur correct, the same i saw in web, was not sure how far it was true. I guess only multiple evisa is valid in causeway

pacafdoc

so I got beg yesterday (15 Jan 2021), the reverse process getting back into KSA is slightly nuanced:

1. Pay 2.5 BD credit card for exit fee on Bharain's side. There were very few cars on the road on Friday.
2. 1st check point looks for your car registration - the license plate was linked to  my name on a receipt - it was automatically scanned
3. 1st immigration / custom check point - showed my passport/ multi-entry visa (no issues)
4. Next check point and I think this is a new change. Here you have to get out of the car, go inside a cabin to get 2 COVID MOH survey forms to declare where you have been and if you have symptoms.  Once filled and signed, you turn it into one of MOH officials. They kept one (probably for contact tracing), and if you have a validated Neg COVID-19 testing from Bahrain (my PCR was tested at the airport for FREE and the app "BeAwareBahrain" can track and show a certificate after about 8 hours the test was taken. Once this is verified by the MOH agent, a green stamp is given on that form and you are allowed to proceed to passport / immigration stamp area.  - Caveat:  There was no onsite testing like the Bahrain side, and this where YMMV - if you don't have negative test, you may be denied entry. University Hamad University by the airport in Bahrain has 24 hour capability for testing and accepts most insurances.
5. Passport stamp area took awhile for me (20 minas). The girl must be new.  They needed my multi-entry visa AND Iqama card, once that's verified I got my stamp and to the next step.
6. Custom check - where I had to park my car diagonally for couple of guys to casually scan through my trunk and cabin. Not sure what they were looking for.

The whole ordeal took about 30-45 mins.

Good Luck everyone and hope this helps!

XTang

Point 4 is not new.  This has been in place since the borders opened for the first time on September 15th.  If anything, it has become very loose.  When I first went back after the borders opened, they had me sit in the room to fill forms, took temperature, kept the copies of the tests, verified if I had the Tawakkalna app on the phone.......took 20 mins.  In the 5 or so trips I have done after that; you go in the room, take forms, go outside and fill them, go back, the guy looks at the result if he wants to (and gives you the result back - in the past they didn't) and hands you over the form for immigration :). And yes, if you don't have a negative Covid test done within 72 hours, they will turn you back.

A lot of places in Bahrain can turn around a test within 8-9 hours; including the free random tests done by MOH.  Keep in mind that Covid tests are not covered by most insurances except for in-patient procedures.

The customs check usually looks for above allowance cigarettes in addition to the standard oversight for drugs/alcohol etc.   And it depends on their mood - sometimes they just wave you through and at others, they do a thorough test and even send the car through the X-ray.

Ess@5751

Are they allowing now Saudi residents (Iqama holders) with on arrival visa to travel through causeway?

GuestPoster98

No idea, as im in riyadh dont want to take the risk traveling all the way and returning back.. if you guys have info please update. Thnx

Ess@5751

Dear, are on arrival visas open now for saudi residents?

XTang

On arrival is open in Bahrain but Saudi immigration is still creating problems in letting you exit - if you don't have a Bahrain visa from before.

Ess@5751

Let’s take a risk this weekend in my car, what say ? Call me on ***

Moderated by Cheryl 4 years ago
Reason : Kindly exchange contact details via private messaging please.
We invite you to read the forum code of conduct
GuestPoster98

Thanks, I believe its good stay home for some weeks and then travel since things will get smooth after a month or so.

ayesha khan94

Hi everyone...
I wanna ask  I want to travel Bahrain with my family and we want to spend our eid holidays there through king fahad causeway by road but my profession is labour.. I am eligiblie to travel with this profession? Because I have heard some cases that they allow driver who's sponsor is living there so for drivers they allow ..
I am an independent female but my family's profession on iqama is different so they can get visa but mine is dofferent..
Anyone plz help

XTang

Look, there are two issues:

1) Saudi immigration won't let you exit without you showing them a visa for Bahrain.  I crossed yesterday and they still asked me to show them my Bahrain residency
2) Bahrain on arrival visas nowadays are restricted to higher professions like managers, accountants etc.

In any case, try your luck as things sometimes go your way but be ready to be disappointed due to the above two facts.

TadanoKun

Mr Xtang,

I am planning to visit Bahrain from Saudi Arabia. Please clarify whether the visit visa can be obtained on arrival from king fahad causeway or We have to apply e visa from online prior to travel?.

My Iqama profession is : General Maintenance mechanic
My Cousin Profession is : Pipe Welder

If we have to take visit visa please tell me what visa to take there is visa prices ranging from 12 BD to 29 BD.

Appreciate your kind response

XTang

You can try your luck for the visa on arrival.   If you want to be sure, go for e-visa.  Choose the visa you want - read description, not price.  I can't tell you what price, type of visa is what is necessary.

Ascom111

Hi, I have a Saudi Business visa. I was hoping to go to Bahrain via the causeway but I have my doubts. When I go to apply for an e-visa, it won’t let me proceed any further as I need to upload an air ticket. Obviously as I’m using the causeway I don’t have one. Can I gain a visa on arrival or not? I’m seeing conflicting information

XTang

You don't have a Saudi iqama, so you won't get a visa on arrival on the basis of a business visa. Unless your passport is otherwise eligible to get one.

Ascom111

I have a UK passport. Would this mean visa on arrival is possible on the causeway?

hamidjamali

I am travelling on Jan 5th from dammam to bahrain vi causeway and I have saudi iqama.
Can I get visa upon arrival?

XTang

Ascom111 wrote:

I have a UK passport. Would this mean visa on arrival is possible on the causeway?


Yes

sreenathsethunath

Hi My profession is labour in my iqama, I want to go to bahrain via causeway. If I have a Bahrain multiple entry evisa, is it possible to go to bahrain via causeway.?

XTang

If you have Saudi exit re-entry and a Bahrain visa, then yes.

Vinu Yasodharan

i want to travel to Bahrain via causeway, my iqama profession is electrical engineering technician, passport and iqama valid for more than 1 year

edgelriyadh
@XTang  it is Possible i can get a Arrival visa in Bahrain via King Fahd Causeway?using my Own Car
my Iqama profession is "Normal Worker"
i have already Exit/Re-entry Visa and Passport

thank you
XTang
It should be ok depending on your nationality.  If not Pakistan, Bangladesh and a few others, there won't be an issue.