Requirements for Saudis Entering Bahrain by Car
Bahrain is one of the favorite destinations for Saudis, especially for those who prefer to travel by car via the King Fahd Causeway, which connects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Bahrain has outlined a set of procedures and requirements that both citizens and residents in Saudi Arabia must follow to ensure a smooth and safe entry into Bahraini territory. In the following lines, we will highlight the key requirements for Saudis entering Bahrain by car, whether they are citizens or residents.
Requirements for Traveling to Bahrain by Car
If you plan to travel from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Bahrain by car via the King Fahd Causeway, you should be aware of some conditions and requirements that must be met to ensure your entry into Bahrain. These conditions apply equally to Saudi citizens and residents of the Kingdom.
Conditions for Entering Bahrain for Saudi Citizens
Saudi citizens wishing to enter Bahrain via the King Fahd Causeway must adhere to the following conditions:
- The traveler must be at least 18 years old.
- A passport valid for no less than 6 months.
- If using a national ID, it must be valid for no less than 3 months.
- A valid vehicle license.
- Obtaining approval from the Bahraini government.
Travel Conditions for Residents of Saudi Arabia via King Fahd Causeway
Residents of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can travel to Bahrain via the King Fahd Causeway, but they must meet the following conditions:
- A valid residency permit for no less than 3 months.
- The passport must be valid for no less than 6 months.
- The resident must obtain an electronic exit and re-entry visa.
- The traveler must carry all vehicle documents, such as a valid driving license and vehicle ownership certificate or an authorization letter from the original owner of the vehicle, certified by the relevant authorities.
Travel Conditions for Children via King Fahd Causeway
If a child is traveling to Bahrain via the King Fahd Causeway, the following documents must be presented:
- Travel Document: A child who does not have a Saudi national ID must have a valid travel document.
- Parental Consent: If the child is under 21 years old and is traveling without either parent, a consent letter from a parent or legal guardian is required.
Exceptions to Entry Requirements
Certain categories of individuals may enter Bahrain without being subject to all the previously mentioned requirements, such as:
- VIPs, including diplomats and ambassadors
- Children under the age of 6
- Individuals traveling on official missions
- Scholars and researchers
King Fahd Causeway Visa Fees
A visa can be obtained for 150 SAR upon entering the King Fahd Causeway. It is valid for one week only and can be renewed for an additional week for 400 SAR each time.
Electronic Payment
The King Fahd Bridge Authority has provided an electronic payment service to facilitate crossing the bridge, where travelers can pay the prescribed fees in advance through the bridge’s app, which helps avoid waiting at the gates. Multiple payment methods are available, such as using a QR Code.
Services to Facilitate Travel via the King Fahd Causeway
A range of services are available to ease and organize the process of traveling by car across the King Fahd Causeway from Saudi Arabia to Bahrain, including:
King Fahd Causeway App
Through the King Fahd Causeway app, travelers can take advantage of the services offered by the organization, such as facilitating the rapid passage of vehicles through the bridge gates, with the ability to track the vehicle’s status via “Barq” using the license plate number.
Absher Travel Service
The General Directorate of Passports has launched the “Absher Travel” service at the King Fahd Causeway border crossing. This service allows travelers, their companions, and their vehicles to register their departure via the “Absher” app before traveling. The service aims to inform them of potential congestion upon arrival and to check their records for any issues that may hinder their travel, such as missing permits or nearing expiration of travel documents. Additionally, biometric checks are conducted via the “Nafath” app upon arrival, to facilitate the travelers’ exit through designated lanes, ensuring a faster completion of procedures.
You can obtain the service by following these steps:
- Log into the app.
- Select “My Services”.
- Go to “Other Services”.
- Select “Absher Travel”.
- Create a new travel request.
- Select the port through which you wish to travel, along with the expected date and time of arrival.
- Select the travel document.
- Select the vehicle.
- Add the travelers.
- Review the request details.
- Approve the request creation, noting that it requires the approval of companions for travel, and verifying biometric features via the “Nafath” app upon arrival at the port.
