How to Extend Your Bahrain Visa: Procedures and Tips

Bahrain is an island nation in the Persian Gulf that offers a unique blend of modernity and tradition. This makes it equally appealing for tourists, business travelers, and others who visit Bahrain for several reasons. When this is complemented by the friendly atmosphere, diverse attractions, and dynamic economy, there are enough reasons to visit and stay back in the country for a while. This is the primary reason for expats wanting to stay back in Bahrain. To be more specific, visitors might need extra time in Bahrain to complete business engagements, take part in extended family visits, or explore its tourist attractions. However, plainly stating that a person wants to stay longer will not do any good. Relocation companies in Bahrain can be found to emphasize visa extension to ensure a legal stay back. This is where a detailed insight into the procedures and tips involved in extending a Bahrain visa holds relevance. Here are some insights that will help.

Understanding Bahrain Visas

Exploring types of Bahrain visas gives clarity to begin with. This includes the types of visas serving tourists, business travelers, and expatriates among others. The most common of these types are tourist visas for short stays, residence visas for long stays, and business visas for meetings and conferences. Each type has a different application procedure which may depend on the nationality and purpose of the visit. In general the process involves submitting relevant documentation like passport and proof of purpose and paying the applicable fees. The next thing emphasized by international moving companies in Bahrain before exploring the Bahrain visa extension procedure is eligibility.

Who all are eligible for a Bahrain visa extension?

• Tourists: Bahrain has several cultural, historical, and leisure attractions. Visitors who wish to explore more of it can apply for a visa extension.
• Business Travellers: Businessmen needing extra time for meetings, conferences, or business dealings.
• Family Visitors: In case an individual visits a family member residing in Bahrain and needs extra time to stay.
• Expatriates: Foreign nationals working in Bahrain with a work visa can apply for a visa extension. This application is supported by a company operating in Bahrain as a guarantor.

Likewise, international students and medical patients who need extended stays to complete their studies or treatment may apply. The Nationality, Passports, and Residence Affairs (NPRA) is the governmental body overseeing immigration, residency, and nationality matters in Bahrain. A moving company Bahrain can be found to assert that each of the above categories has to follow the appropriate procedures and meet the specific requirements set by NPRA. Procedure to Extend Bahrain Visa Relocation companies in Bahrain can be found to go on rhetoric on the ease with which visa extension is accessible in Bahrain. Once an applicant confirms required eligibility and gathers required documents they can either go ahead with online mode or offline mode for visa extensions. Online Application Step 1:  Visit the Kingdom of Bahrain’s National Portal. Step 2: Navigate the Window to find the ‘Visa Request’ Option Step 3: Select ‘Visa Extension Request’ in the new window that opens. Step 4:  The next page will ask you to select the applicant type. The options available are ‘Authorized Person’, ‘Guarantor’, and Visa holder. Choose the appropriate type. Step 5: Once the applicant type is selected a new space becomes available in the same window. Passport number, date of birth, and nationality have to be provided here. Press ‘continue’ to begin the extension process. Here, the system will be retrieving your visa details for extension. Step 6: Pay the extension fees if applicable.

Offline Application

Relocation companies in Bahrain note that an in-person visit to the NPRA is no less convenient than the online application. It includes the following steps: Step 1: Begin by making an appointment at the NPRA office. This can be done using the “Mawaeid” application available in the Play Store and App Store. Step 2: Gather the required documents and visit the NPRA office at the scheduled appointment. Step 3: The NPRA staff will elaborate on a submission procedure. Follow it with care. Step 4: Pay the visa extension fees and get a receipt with an application number. This will help for future references. By now applicants are likely to have a doubt. This is regarding the documents necessary for visa extension. International moving companies in Bahrain are found to highlight the following requirements.

Bahrain Visa Extension: Required Documents

1. Service Request Form: This is a form available online or from the NPRA service center. Make sure that it is filled with attention.
2. Valid Passport Copy: Here, you will need a clear photocopy of the passport. Ensure that its validity exceeds more than 6 months. In the case of Indian passport copies of Page 1 and Page 36 are required.
3. Guarantor Documents: A moving company Bahrain observes that the type of document in this context may vary.

If the guarantor is a company a clear copy of the company’s commercial registration is needed. If it is a Bahraini citizen, ensure that the photocopy of their national ID card is gathered before applying.

4. Applicant/ Authorized Person’s ID: A visa extension application could be submitted by oneself or with an authorized person. In any case, a clear copy of the ID of the applying persons is required.

Tips for Fool Proofed Application

• Apply Before Expiry: Submitting a visa extension request at least 2 to 3 weeks before the visa expiry date is something highly recommended by relocation companies in Bahrain. This helps to set aside the risks of overstaying and the legal issues that follow.

This also ensures a visa extension without disturbance to the current stay. In this way, the applicant will be able to continue their activities or business without interruption.

Complete the Application Accurately

See to it that all sections of the visa application are filled out accurately and completely. Pay special attention to personal details, visa information, and supporting documents before submission. This lets you have a smoother processing experience devoid of rejections or delays.

Accommodate Processing Time

This is an extension of the first point on applying early.  Relocation companies in Bahrain are found to stress this point and note that it could vary as per the type of visa and current workload at the immigration office. It usually varies between a few days to several weeks. Accommodating such variations helps to get the extended visa on time.

Keep Track of Your Application Status

Tracking applications facilitates timely interventions for issues if any. It also helps if any additional documentation is required. Thus you can avoid any potential delays in the Bahrain visa extension request. By now you might have got a clear picture of a pathway to extend your Bahrain visa. A DIY approach is always cost-effective. However, a perfect application might require professional assistance. This will ensure that your Bahrain visa extension will not go wrong. In this direction, consider leveraging the expertise of Helpxpat. We are here to guide you through a foolproofed application. Connect with us for further services.