Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.
Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.
Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).
Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.
Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.
| Visa Classification |
Fee | Number of Entries |
Validity Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| A-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| A-3 1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| B-1 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| B-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| B-1/B-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| C-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-1/D | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| C-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-W-1 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| C-W-2 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| D | None | Multiple | 2 Months |
| E-1 2 | No Treaty | N/A | N/A |
| E-2 2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| E-2C 12 | None | One | 3 Months |
| F-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| F-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-5 1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| H-1B | $1,037.00 | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-1C | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-2A | None | N/A | N/A3 |
| H-2B | None | N/A | N/A3 |
| H-2R | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-4 | $1,037.00 | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| I | $276.00 | Multiple | 60 Months |
| J-1 4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| J-2 4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| K-1 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| K-4 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| L-1 | $1,037.00 | Multiple | 60 Months |
| L-2 | $1,037.00 | Multiple | 60 Months |
| M-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| M-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| N-8 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| N-9 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| NATO 1-7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| O-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| O-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| O-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| Q-1 6 | None | Multiple | 15 Months 3 |
| R-1 | $1,037.00 | Multiple | 60 Months |
| R-2 | $1,037.00 | Multiple | 60 Months |
| S-5 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-6 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-7 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| T-1 9 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-3 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-4 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-5 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-6 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-D 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| U-1 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-2 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-3 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-4 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-5 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| V-1 | None | Multiple | 120 Months |
| V-2 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
| V-3 | None | Multiple | 120 Months 8 |
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:
An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty. *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used. **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.
*Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.
**Example 2: Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.
The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.
Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.
Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.
There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.
Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.
In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).
However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.
Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.
Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.
Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.
Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.
No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.
V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.
Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:
The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.
The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
Available: At time of birth or after
Fees: Vary depending on how old the applicant is when requesting
Document Name: Birth Certificate
Issuing Authority: Information & eGovernment Authority
Special Seal(s) / Color/Format: White with gold trim, gold seal in bottom left corner from Identity & Population Registry Directorate. Older birth certificates are in paper booklet form.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Directorate of Identity and Population Registry, signature varies
Registration Criteria: Parents must hold valid identification. Required documents include the newborn’s application, a copy of the parents’ passports or ID, and a copy of the parents’ marriage certificate. Personal attendance by relatives is required for the issuance of birth certificates for individuals born before 1994, and printing requests for citizens born abroad.
Procedure for Obtaining: All hospitals notify MOH in cases of birth and will issue a Birth Notification Request Number for the parents to use to request a birth certificate online. All birth certificates are issued by the Ministry of Health (MOH). The certificate is in both Arabic and English. Birth certificates can be requested through the eGovernment website or through eGovernment kiosks located at government maternity hospitals. Applicants may call +973-8000-8001 for assistance.
Certified Copies Available: Replacement copies for individuals born in 1994 and later can be requested via the national portal bahrain.bh by clicking “Replacement of Birth Certificate” service and following the required steps. Personal attendance is required for the issuance of birth certificates for individuals born before 1994.
Alternate Documents: Children born out of wedlock and unable to obtain a birth certificate should obtain the birth notification from the delivering hospital and a letter from the delivering doctor.
Exceptions: Children born out of wedlock or born to parents who were married after conception are generally not issued birth certificates.
Comments: Children born to Bahraini fathers will typically have only one name appear on the birth certificate, with the implication that they will take on their father’s names. The sequential order is first name, father’s name, grandfather’s name, and any tribal names, then surname.
Available
Fees: Varies
Document Name: Death Certificate
Issuing Authority: Information & eGovernment Authority
Special Seal(s) / Color/Format: White with gold trim, gold seal in bottom left corner from “Identity & Population Registry Directorate” in English and Arabic.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Directorate of Identity and Population Registry
Registration Criteria: Valid identity card or passport of deceased, death notification form, medical notification for the cause of death by the treating doctor, hospital, or forensic doctor.
Procedure for Obtaining: The requester must be a relative of the deceased. If using a clearing agent, the relatives of the deceased will need to submit a no objection letter to the agent. Online requests can be done through the eGovernment website. Those requesting the death certificate will need the medical letter cause of death issued by the hospital or by the public security directorate at the Ministry of Interior.
Certified Copies Available: Yes
Alternate Documents: None
Exceptions: None
Comments: If Cremation is required, it is only available at the Hindu Cremation Ground. Contact the Hindu Temple (in the Bahrain Souk area).
Marriage Certificate
Available
Fees: Varies
Document Name: Marriage Certificate
Issuing Authority: Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: White with gold trim. Gold ministry seal in bottom center.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Varies – certified by either Sunni, Shia, or civil court depending on religion of registrants.
Registration Criteria: Any two individuals can complete marriage procedures in Bahrain, regardless of religion and nationality, provided the main requirements are met and one of the individuals is a resident of Bahrain.
Procedure for Obtaining: The following steps are required to contract marriage in Bahrain:
Required documents:
Only a specialized judge can sign and accredit marriage contracts where one of the individuals is a Bahraini and the other is an expatriate, or where both individuals are expatriate Muslims residing in the Kingdom. Marriage officers who do not have the rank of Judge are not allowed to perform this task.
Required marriage documents for non-Bahraini couples:
Certified Copies Available: Yes
The divorce process in Bahrain depends mainly on the individual’s religion and depends on whether someone is Muslim or non-Muslim.
For Muslim couples, getting a divorce is applicable through Bahrain’s Family Law even for expatriates — provided that the individuals were married through a Sunni marriage contract.
For non-Muslims, the process is different and more complicated. Divorce can only be applied for through the Bahrain Civil Courts, whose jurisdiction will be based on the provisions of the Civil and Commercial Procedures Law. The court will apply the laws of the individual’s nationality. For instance, if someone is a non-Muslim woman married to a Muslim man, take note that the court may favor the laws of the husband’s nationality.
In the case of non-Muslim expatriates, the individuals will be asked to provide the court with certified copies of the laws in their home country, along with the Arabic translations.
Document Name: Divorce Certificate/Decree
Issuing Authority: Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Varies
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Varies – certified by either Sunni, Shia, or civil court depending on religion of registrants.
Procedure for Obtaining:
Other Requirements:
Procedure
To apply for a divorce, the individuals must visit the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Awqaf located in Diplomatic Area, Courts Directorate, Manama, Bahrain, P.O. Box 450. The service is available from Sunday to Thursday, between 7:00 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.
1. Submit all the required documents and information. Make sure that these are complete; otherwise, your application may be rejected and returned pending missing requirements.
2. Upon completion of requirements, the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Awqaf will forward your request to the judge for approval.
3. Once approved, the Ministry will contact you on how to collect the divorce certificate.
4. Go to the Ministry to collect your divorce certificate.
Notes: The foreign document must be issued by an Islamic authority and certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bahrain) or (apostille) certification, and all documents must be translated into Arabic.
Unavailable.
Available
Fees: Varies
Issuing Authority: Information and eGovernment Authority
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: In line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Contains PKI chip. Fingerprint associated with card.
Color: Red trim on top, grey middle, white bottom. Photo with grey background. In both English and Arabic.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Information and eGovernment Authority, Kingdom of Bahrain.
Registration Criteria: Applicants should be prepared to show proof of residency, including electricity bills and/or leases in their name.
Procedure for Obtaining: Appointments can be booked online.
Alternate Documents: N/A
Exceptions: N/A
Comments:
For more information, please visit the Information and eGovernment Authority website.
The identity card is known as the “CPR” card. The validity period is five years from the date of issue and 10 years for those above 70 years old.
The identity card validity period is not related to the validity of any other cards or documents such as a passport or driving license, each card/document has its own expiry date, which is not related to each other. Passports must be valid at the time of renewing the identity card or applying for a replacement for a lost/damaged one.
Available
Fees: 1 BD
Document Name: Good Conduct Certificate
Issuing Authority: Ministry of Interior, General Directorate of Crime Detection & Evidence, Department of Criminal Information
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: White paper, English on left, Arabic on right, stamped and signed at the bottom of the paper in the middle. Photo of applicant included.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Varies, typically Director General
Registration Criteria: Must be a Bahrain citizen or resident with valid CPR card/residency permit.
Procedure for Obtaining:
General Requirements:
Special Requirements for Non-Bahrainis (in addition, to the general requirements)
Certified Copies Available: Yes
Alternate Documents: N/A
Exceptions: N/A
Comments: Available through Bahrain embassies abroad. For those abroad, this service is provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Information can be found on their website. May be issued in electronic format, and can be verified through their website.
Unavailable.
Available. Write to: Officer in Charge, Prison Division, Manama Prison, P.O. Box 13, Manama, State of Bahrain.
Military Records
Available. Write to: The Bahrain Defense Force, P.O. Box 245, Manama, State of Bahrain.
Passports and Other Travel Documents
Bahraini Passports
Types Available: Regular, Diplomatic, and Special (official)
Fees: BD 10
Issuing Government Authority: Nationality, Passports & Residence Affairs – Ministry of Interior, Kingdom of Bahrain
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Regular (red), Diplomatic (light green), and Special (dark green).
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Nationality, Passports & Residence Affairs – Ministry of Interior, Kingdom of Bahrain
Office: Immigration, Exhibition Road, DQ area
Procedure for Obtaining:
Visit one of the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs offices or branches to submit the required documents.
Applications can also be completed on the Nationality, Passport & Residence Affairs website. Select the directorate and service type and fill the areas allocated for the service. Attach all required documents, the service request form, and acknowledgement letter. If your request is approved, you will receive a text message to your mobile phone and an email will be sent that includes the payment link.
Required documents:
Alternate Documents: Travel Permits (this service is limited to Bahraini citizens and children of citizens eligible to transmit citizenship born outside of Bahrain).
Exceptions: N/A
Comments: Possession of a Diplomatic passport does not necessarily indicate an official position within the government.
Non-citizen residents of Bahrain can now obtain travel documents valid for two years provided they can document their ties to Bahrain. Holders of these travel documents may also be able to obtain multiple re-entry permits valid for up to two years in Bahrain or at Bahraini embassies and consulates abroad. Posts may issue visas into these travel documents only if the alien possessing the documents also holds a re-entry permit to Bahrain or some other country valid for at least 6 months from the date of expiration of the alien's contemplated stay in the United States.
Available. Write to: The Bahrain Defense Force, P.O. Box 245, Manama, State of Bahrain.
Non-citizen residents of Bahrain can now obtain travel documents valid for two years provided they can documents their ties to Bahrain. Holders of these travel documents may also be able to obtain multiple re-entry permits valid for up to two years in Bahrain or at Bahraini embassies and consulates abroad. Posts may issue visas into these travel documents only if the alien possessing the documents also holds a re-entry permit to Bahrain or some other country valid for at least 6 months from the date of expiration of the alien's contemplated stay in the United States.
Not applicable.
U.S. Embassy Manama conducts all nonimmigrant and immigrant visa services. Information on nonimmigrant visa services can be found online.
U.S. Embassy Manama
Bldg 979, Road 3119, Block 331, Zinj
P.O. Box 26431
Manama – Kingdom of Bahrain
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
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