Business Hours

Government Offices are open from 7.00 am to 2.15 pm from Saturday to Wednesday. Thursday and Friday is the weekend holiday. Commercial banks are open from 7.30 am to 12.00 pm, Saturday to Thursday and some branches are also open from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm. Hours kept by commercial organisations vary and many have a long break from noon until 4.00 pm.


Currency

The Bahrain Dinar (BD) is linked to the US Dollar at US$1 = BD 0.377. The dinar is divided into 1,000 fils. Notes are available in denominations of BD 0.500, BD 1.000, BD 5.000. BD 10.000 and BD 20.000. Money can be changed at any commercial bank, hotels or at one of the many money exchange centres. There are no import or export currency restrictions.



Language

Arabic is the official language, although English is widely spoken and understood and is used by most businesses.




Religion

Islam is the religion of Bahrain and is practiced by a large maiority. Places of worship of other faiths exist on the island. Visitors should observe a modest dress code. particularly, in public areas.

Passport and Visa Requirements

Visas: Visas are required by all except:

a) Passport holders of AGCC (Arabian Gulf Cooperation Council) States (i.e. nations of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates).

b) Citizens of the UK for a maximum of 4 weeks (providing they hold a full passport with at least 6 months validity and that it is indicated on page 2 of their passport that they were born in the UK). hold confirmed tickets and appropriate travel documents and on the condition they remain within the transit area.

Tourism Visas can be obtained at the Bahrain International Airport or at King Fahad Causeway for:

a) Citizens of West European countries, Scandinavia, Japan, New Zealand, Australia and Canada.

b) Expatriates resident in GCC states.

Conditions for obtaining Visas are:

1. The visitor must possess a valid passport

2. The visitor should be a resident in any of the GCC countries for at least six months

3. The visitor should possess a return visa from the country of his residency

4. The purpose of the visit should not be related to seeking iobs in Bahrain.


Entry Visa for Group Tourists

1. Groups may obtain visas to Bahrain for a duration of up to two weeks which is renewable once for a similar period.

2. Entry Visas are obtained through hotels, travel and tourism agencies and other firms licensed to carry out tourist activities in Bahrain.




Restaurants

Restaurants are plenty, ranging from international to local and ethnic. fast food and takeaway outlets.

Due to Bahran‘s huge cultural diversity, there are social and sports clubs to suit almost every nationality. catering to a wide variety of leisure interests. These include horse riding, sailing, water skiing, scuba diving; fishing; boat trips to local offshore islands and various coach tours.