Bahrain

Hoodlum offers expert film fixer services in Bahrain, facilitating international productions of every scale with a full range of services, including location scouting, obtaining permits, full range of logistic support and connecting production teams with local talent and experienced crew.

Ultimate Filming Guide for Bahrain

Capital

Manama

Main Cities

Riffa, Muharraq, Isa Town

Local Languages

Arabic (official), English widely used

Currency

Bahraini Dinar (BHD)

Climate

Arid desert

General Visa Requirements:

All foreign crew must hold a valid visa to enter Bahrain. The country offers on-arrival visas to 60+ nationalities and eVisas to over 200 countries. Crew not eligible for on-arrival entry must secure visas in advance through a Bahraini Embassy, registered local sponsor/production company, or licensed travel agency. Film crews working in Bahrain must obtain a work visa submitted on their behalf by a registered local production company.

Required Documents:

To apply for a Bahrain visa (tourist, business, or work), applicants must provide:

Passport valid for 6+ months with 2 blank pages
Completed application form (must match passport exactly)
Passport photo (if required for the visa type)
Flight and accommodation details (recommended)
Sponsor letter (for visit/business/work visas)
Printed copy of approved visa

Visa Application Process:

Tourist and Business eVisas are applied for online through the official platform. Work visas for film crews are submitted exclusively by the Bahraini sponsor or production partner, who files the application on behalf of the crew.

Processing Time:

Tourist and business eVisas are typically processed within approximately three days for standard applications, under 48 hours for urgent requests, and under 24 hours for super-urgent submissions. On-arrival visas are issued directly at Bahrain International Airport for eligible nationalities.

Cost:

Tourist and business eVisa fees range from $54 for single-entry visas, to $73 for three-month multiple entry, and $147 for one-year multiple entry. Work visa costs vary depending on the sponsoring company, visa duration, and crew profile.

Accreditation Requirements:

All foreign film crew must obtain a work visa, which can only be submitted through a registered Bahraini production company or sponsor. Accreditation is tied to the purpose of the visit and cannot be applied for independently. Requirements and eligibility vary depending on nationality, as Bahrain maintains different rules for on-arrival, eVisa, and advance-entry categories. A local fixer or producer must confirm the correct visa type for each crew member prior to travel.

Required Documents:

Passport valid for at least 6 months
Two blank passport pages
Completed visa application
Passport-style photograph (if required)
Sponsor letter from the Bahraini production company
Flight itinerary and accommodation details (recommended)
Equipment list if bringing gear
Printed copy of the approved visa

Processing Time:

Accreditation and visa processing times depend on the visa category, with normal eVisas averaging around three days, urgent applications taking under 48 hours, and super-urgent processing completed in under 24 hours. Work visas filed by a Bahraini sponsor usually follow similar timeframes, although they may vary depending on government workload.

Cost:

Accreditation-related visa costs depend on the visa category, with standard tourist and business eVisas ranging from $54 for single entry, $73 for three-month multiple entry, and $147 for one-year multiple entry. Work visa fees are determined by the local sponsor based on the crew member’s role, profile, and required duration of stay.

Issuing Organization:

Film permits in Bahrain are issued by the Ministry of Information, Media Department. Hoodlum serves as your local representative, preparing and submitting all documentation on your behalf.

Required Documents:

Script or treatment
Proposed filming dates
Filming location list
Crew list
Equipment list (for customs clearance)

Additional documentation may be requested depending on location type and production scale.

Processing Time:

Film permit processing generally takes up to seven days once all required documents have been submitted to the Ministry of Information. Productions are strongly advised to supply full details at least two weeks in advance to ensure smooth scheduling.

Cost:

The cost of a general filming permit in Bahrain typically ranges between 200 and 250 BHD for standard public locations, with exact pricing dependent on the area. Privately owned venues—including resorts, compounds, and new developments—may apply their own additional charges at their discretion.

Location Scouting / Location Permits Information:

Private locations are available upon request.

Location Scouting / Permitting Cost & Processing Time

The cost is determined upon request, based on the specific location.

Drone Regulations:

Only one crew is licensed to operate drones in Bahrain – a crew licensed by the Ministry of Information. To apply for a local drone permit, you will need to provide the type of project, shooting details, and a storyboard.

Drone Importation Regulations:

Importation of drones is not allowed.

Permit Issuance:

The Ministry of Information issues drone permits.

Timing:

Permit applications typically take 7 days to process.

Cost:

The cost for the drone crew and permit is $2250 for a 3-hour shoot and $4250 for a 6-hour shoot.

Carnet Status:

Bahrain is not a Carnet country.

General Process for Non-Carnet Country
For non-Carnet countries, the fixer handles the clearance certificate application.

Required Documents:

To apply for equipment customs clearance, you will need to provide the script or treatment, filming dates, crew passports, an equipment list, and an invitation letter from the client.