Travel guide
Saudi Visa for Bahrain Residents 2026: Rules, Fees and Crossing the King Fahd Causeway
Quick answer: Bahrain residents of any profession can get the Saudi tourist e-visa on ksavisa.sa, provided their Bahrain residence permit is valid for at least 3 months and their passport for 6 months from the date of entry. The official visa fee is SAR 339.44 (about BHD 34). It is multiple-entry for one year, allows up to 90 days per stay, and can be used to enter by road over the King Fahd Causeway. Bahraini citizens need no visa: they enter with their smart card (ID) or passport. The causeway toll for a car is SAR 35 each way since 18 February 2026.
Key facts
| Item | Fact (September 2026) |
|---|---|
| Who qualifies | Residents of any GCC country; no profession restriction since March 2023 |
| Residence permit | Valid 3+ months after the date of entry into Saudi |
| Passport | Valid 6+ months after the date of entry |
| Visa fee | SAR 339.44 (about USD 90.50 · about BHD 34), application fee included |
| Medical insurance | Shown at checkout (official pages conflict on whether it is included) |
| Validity | Multiple-entry: 1 year from issue · Single-entry: 3 months |
| Stay | Up to 90 consecutive days per visit |
| Ports of entry | Any official port, including the King Fahd Causeway and airports |
| Refunds | Fees are non-refundable, even if refused |
| Causeway toll | Private car SAR 35 each way (since 18 Feb 2026) |
Do Bahraini citizens need a visa for Saudi Arabia?
No. GCC citizens, including Bahrainis, enter Saudi Arabia with their smart card (national ID) or passport, by road or air.
Saudi tourist e-visa rules for Bahrain residents
- Valid Bahrain residence permit for at least 3 months after you enter Saudi Arabia.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months after entry.
- No profession restriction since 15 March 2023: workers, employees and business owners all qualify.
- Nationality: we tested the official eligibility tool with Indian and Pakistani passports as "GCC resident"; both returned the same e-visa.
- Children under 18: a parent applies first, then the children are added.
- First-degree family (spouse, parents, children) can be added from the resident's account after the resident applies.
The tourist visa is not a work visa, but short business meetings are allowed.
How much is the Saudi visa for Bahrain residents?
- Visa fee: SAR 339.44 (about USD 90.50, roughly BHD 34), application fee included.
- Medical insurance: the GCC-resident result on Visit Saudi says it is not included and priced by the provider, while the same site's FAQ says it is included. The final total is shown on the payment page before you confirm.
- Heads-up: many older articles quote "SAR 300 including insurance". That figure is out of date.
How to apply online, step by step
- Go to the official visa portal ksavisa.sa (Visit Saudi's "Apply now" button leads there).
- Choose GCC resident, enter your nationality and country of residence (Bahrain).
- Upload your passport, CPR/residence permit and a photo.
- Pick multiple-entry (1 year) or single-entry (3 months).
- Pay by card; keep the e-visa on your phone and printed.
- Add first-degree family members from your account after your own application.
Avoid problems: check permit and passport validity before paying (no refunds), match your name exactly as in the passport, and apply for parents before children.
Umrah on a tourist visa: what to know
- According to the official site, any type of visa allows Umrah, but not during the Hajj season; Hajj needs a separate Hajj visa.
- You must book an Umrah permit on the Nusuk app or website (free, issued instantly). The same applies to the Rawdah visit permit.
- Example from 2026: Makkah closed to all visa holders except Hajj visa holders from 18 April 2026, and Umrah permits were suspended from 18 April to 31 May 2026. Dates for 2027 are not yet published.
- Group Umrah campaigns from Bahrain must be licensed by the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf. Check the licence before paying any campaign.
GoTrips does not sell Umrah packages, organise Umrah campaigns or offer any Umrah-specific service.
Driving from Bahrain to Saudi over the King Fahd Causeway
About the causeway
The King Fahd Causeway opened in 1986, is about 25 km long, operates around the clock, and had a full infrastructure upgrade in 2023.
King Fahd Causeway toll 2026
As announced by the King Fahd Causeway Authority and reported by the press (Al Ayam, Al Arabiya), tolls per direction since 18 February 2026:
| Vehicle | Toll |
|---|---|
| Private car / motorcycle | SAR 35 (was SAR 25 since 2016) |
| Small bus | SAR 55 |
| Large bus | SAR 70 |
| Trucks | SAR 7 per ton |
Fees for disabled travellers, students and permanent commuters did not change; disabled travellers and students get 50% discount cards.
The Jesr app
The Authority's official app offers the E-JESR express lane (cross the toll gates without stopping, with a prepaid ticket), a wallet, vehicle management, live average crossing time and roadside assistance. Toll-free number: 800 4000 999. The app also sells discount bundles for frequent travellers and round trips.
Causeway insurance for Bahrain-registered cars
- The official "King Fahad Causeway Insurance" service on Bahrain's eGovernment portal is run by United Insurance Company. It is third-party cover for Saudi Arabia only, with optional roadside assistance.
- Buy and pay online before the trip. Short policies (3, 5 and 10 days) are available online and through the eTraffic app and BenefitPay; the minimum at the causeway booths is one month.
Driving someone else's car? Get a "Vehicle Authorization for King Fahad Causeway"
- The car's owner issues it on bahrain.bh or the eTraffic app, instantly and without documents for individually owned cars.
- Conditions: the authorised driver holds a valid licence, the car's registration is valid, and there are no legal restrictions on the car (such as seizure or instalments).
- Company-owned cars, including rentals: in person, with a signed and stamped form, the ownership certificate and a copy of the authorised signatory's ID.
Approximate distances
| From → to | Approx. distance / time |
|---|---|
| Riffa → causeway entrance | around 30 minutes, traffic permitting |
| Causeway → Khobar | about 20 km · 15 min |
| Causeway → Dammam | about 42 km · 30 min |
| Causeway → Riyadh | about 434 km · 3h45 |
| Khobar → Makkah | about 1,290 km · 12.5–13 h |
Usually busiest: weekends (Thursday evening and Friday leaving Bahrain, Saturday evening returning) and public holidays. The Jesr app shows live average crossing times.
Has the GCC unified tourist visa launched?
Not yet. On 6 September 2026 the GCC Secretary-General said the unified visa would launch "soon", without a date. Until then, the Saudi tourist e-visa remains the route for residents. We will update this page when it is officially announced.
How GoTrips in Riffa helps
GoTrips is a licensed travel agency in East Riffa, arranging Bahrain travels end to end from one office. We offer:
- Help with the Saudi tourist e-visa for you and your family, checking validity before you pay.
- Flights to Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh, Abha and more.
- Hotel bookings across the Kingdom.
- Travel insurance and advice for road trips.
Visit us: Office v30, Road 7, Block 907, East Riffa (opposite Al Rayan Hospital, free parking).
Hours: Sat–Thu 9 am–1 pm and 4–9 pm · Fri 4–8:30 pm · phones answered 24/7.
Call / WhatsApp: +973 7790 7722
Read next: Schengen visa from Bahrain · Georgia trip from Bahrain · National Day holiday 2026: where to travel
Frequently asked questions
Do Bahrain residents need a visa for Saudi Arabia?
How much is the Saudi visa for Bahrain residents in 2026?
Can I drive into Saudi over the causeway on a tourist e-visa?
How much is the King Fahd Causeway toll in 2026?
Can I perform Umrah on a Saudi tourist visa?
Can I add my wife and children to my visa?
Do Bahraini citizens need a visa for Saudi Arabia?
Official sources (checked 30 September 2026)
- Visit Saudi, visa requirements visitsaudi.com
- Visit Saudi, FAQ visitsaudi.com
- Saudi visa portal ksavisa.sa
- King Fahd Causeway Authority, e-services kfca.sa
- King Fahd Causeway Authority, traveller packages kfca.sa
- Bahrain eGovernment, King Fahad Causeway insurance services.bahrain.bh
- Bahrain eGovernment, vehicle authorization for the causeway services.bahrain.bh (service 1005)
- Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Umrah permit haj.gov.sa
- Al Ayam, new causeway tolls (1 Feb 2026) alayam.com
General guidance only; rules change. Always confirm on the official portals before travelling, or contact us and we will check the latest requirements for you.