Kingdom of Bahrain, E-visa. Any advantage vs VOA?
Nov 22, 2012, 6:18 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 7,541
I have to go through.
Nov 23, 2012, 12:45 pm
#18
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 7,541
Okay basically I arrived at BAH doing the VOA. They took my Passport to some backroom for about ten minutes then came back with a nod. I was charged the 5 BHD Fee for the 2 week Visa which isn't too bad considering. The total wait time was about 15-20 minutes today to process the VOA.
Nov 25, 2012, 9:10 pm
#20
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 1
Hey, I got this too after I paid for the EVisa. What did u do with it? Did u get ur EVisa?
Nov 29, 2012, 8:11 am
#21
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: PANC
Programs: Mileage Plan
Posts: 444
Recent experience...
I applied for the eVisa...did not print out the cover page. I think the cover page is left over from some other process. It seems the eVisa is completely automated. They were suspicious of my one-night stay, but eventually, after a few questions let me through.
My travel companion wasn't so lucky. He had not applied for the eVisa. he went to the line to pay for the VOA, he was then instructed to wait in the chairs on the foreign -side of passport control. After about 20 minutes someone took his passport into the back. 20 minutes later a man in a suit came out and questioned him about his employment (hes an attorney), his reason for visiting the country, etc. Then went to the back. After another 20-30 minutes he returned and gave the passport to the guy in the windowed room. He called him in and questioned him extensively and finally when he realized we were travelling together and I had been granted admission he told the immigration officer to let him in.
It was irritating, a little stressful, and overall not worth it. Get the eVisa, especially if you are doing an overnight turn for a MR.
I applied for the eVisa...did not print out the cover page. I think the cover page is left over from some other process. It seems the eVisa is completely automated. They were suspicious of my one-night stay, but eventually, after a few questions let me through.
My travel companion wasn't so lucky. He had not applied for the eVisa. he went to the line to pay for the VOA, he was then instructed to wait in the chairs on the foreign -side of passport control. After about 20 minutes someone took his passport into the back. 20 minutes later a man in a suit came out and questioned him about his employment (hes an attorney), his reason for visiting the country, etc. Then went to the back. After another 20-30 minutes he returned and gave the passport to the guy in the windowed room. He called him in and questioned him extensively and finally when he realized we were travelling together and I had been granted admission he told the immigration officer to let him in.
It was irritating, a little stressful, and overall not worth it. Get the eVisa, especially if you are doing an overnight turn for a MR.
Nov 30, 2012, 7:07 am
#22
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: IAD
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 1,937
Yeah, sounds like the e-visa is the way to go for me. Especially since I'm just doing a one night stay. For the e-visa application, under tourism, what should I put down as my reason for visiting? Transit? I doubt they'll understand that it's a quasi-MR and a reason to burn two upgrades.
Oct 29, 2013, 7:50 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
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Ooops didn't notice this was a thread from last October/November!
Feb 2, 2015, 8:55 am
#25
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Tehran (IKA), Vancouver (YVR), Nice (NCE)
Programs: QR Platinum (Oneworld Emerald), AZ Freccia Alata (Skyteam Gold), Shangri-La GC (Jade)
Posts: 235
Has anyone had any new experience regarding VOA in Bahrain. I have traveled all over the GCC on my Canadian passport with no problem, but Bahrain might be a different story as I was born in Iran and that is where I currently live.
Considering recent events, I was wondering if I would be better off doing an EVisa rather than showing up at the border.
I am just staying one night on my way to Kuwait.
Considering recent events, I was wondering if I would be better off doing an EVisa rather than showing up at the border.
I am just staying one night on my way to Kuwait.
Feb 14, 2015, 10:08 pm
#26
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Tehran (IKA), Vancouver (YVR), Nice (NCE)
Programs: QR Platinum (Oneworld Emerald), AZ Freccia Alata (Skyteam Gold), Shangri-La GC (Jade)
Posts: 235
Kingdom of Bahrain, E-visa. Any advantage vs VOA?
Ended up applying online. Paid 29 BHD and I never received the visa. I received a message one day AFTER my scheduled departure that my request could no be completed online. I have requested a refund, buy I have not heard back. Rip off.
Feb 16, 2015, 4:52 am
#27
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Midwest/Mideast (ORD/DTW/FNT/BAH)
Programs: QR Gold/Gulf Air Gold/UA Gold
Posts: 345
In terms of processing, evisa or voa are processed by the same counters, there is not a separate line for one or the other. Of course if you are VOA and get flagged for some reason, you will have to endure the clearance process. If you are evisa, it should be a quick stamp in the passsport and you are done. As indicated by someone, don't do it the day before. Do it well in advance to ensure there are no issues.
Feb 17, 2015, 1:27 am
#28
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Tehran (IKA), Vancouver (YVR), Nice (NCE)
Programs: QR Platinum (Oneworld Emerald), AZ Freccia Alata (Skyteam Gold), Shangri-La GC (Jade)
Posts: 235
Just got an email informing me that I will be refunded 25BHD. 4BHD went down the drain. I had applied ONE WEEK before scheduled departure.