Disclaimer: The translated text is provided for information purposes only. The most up to date information is available on UK Border Agency's Visa Services website. In the event of any discrepancy, the English language version of UK Border Agency's Visa Services website overrules the translated information provided on this page. Please visit www.ukvisas.gov.uk for the most up to date information.

A visa (or entry clearance) is a certificate that is put into your passport or travel document that gives you permission to enter the United Kingdom (UK). To find out if you need a visa please use the 'do I need a visa' questionnaire on the UK Border Agency Visa Services website. If you need a visa to enter the UK you should follow the 5 'how to apply' steps listed below.

• How to apply
  
  1. Complete your visa application form in one of the following 2 ways:-
  
  We recommend that you submit your visa application online. If you complete an online application you will be assigned our "priority" service on arrival at the visa application centre.
  
  

  •	Online visa application form Complete an online visa application at www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk
  	- Please ensure that you complete all the sections correctly. - Sections 1 and 2 are vital to considering your application. The information in this section must be completed accurately. - Print all the pages of the visa application form and bring it to the visa application centre. - Make sure the bar code appears on the final page of your printed visa application form and remember to sign it.
  •	Paper visa application form

  
  Complete and sign your visa application form. Ensure that you complete all the sections correctly. If you make a mistake in filling in any of the sections you will need to make the change on the form and sign against it.
  
  2. Schedule an appointment to visit the visa application centre.
  
  All applicants need to visit the visa application centre in person to submit their visa application form, supporting documents and give their biometric data. Making an appointment will significantly help reduce your waiting time. Please contact us in the following ways to make an appointment at the Visa Application Centre in Manama-
  
  Use the 'Schedule an Appointment' link on this website.
  
  Or
  
  Telephone: +973 17215538
  Fax: +973 17215639
  Telephone calls are charged at local rates.
  Email: info.ukbh@vfshelpline.com
  
  Note: If you are part of a family or group, each member of the family or group should make an individual appointment. For example, if you are a family of 4 with 2 adults and 2 children, you should make 4 individual appointments.
  
  You can visit the visa application centre without an appointment but you may have to wait a longer during busy times.
  
  3. Prepare your documents and visit the visa application centre
  
  You must submit your visa application in person at the visa application centre to give your biometric data.
  
  Biometric Requirements
  Children aged 5 or over and adults will need to submit their biometrics. Applicants under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult when giving their biometrics; this cannot be a member of the visa application centre staff. Biometrics cannot be taken for visa applicants under the age of 16 who are unaccompanied. A visa application can only be processed after your biometrics have been taken.
  
  Fingerscans
  The fingerscan procedure uses an electronic scanner. No ink, liquid or chemical will be used and the procedure will normally take no more than 2 minutes to complete. You should ensure that your fingertips are free from any forms of decoration (for example, henna), abrasions or other markings as these may affect your ability to provide acceptable fingerscans.
  
  Photographs
  You will be required to have a digital photo taken when your fingerscans are taken. These photos will be taken with full face and without sunglasses or tinted spectacles, hat or other head covering unless the it is worn for religious or medical reasons. The digital photograph is in addition to the printed photograph which you include with your visa application.
  
  Documentation
  It is your responsibility to satisfy the visa officer that you qualify for a visa. Visa Officers usually reach a decision on your application without interviewing you so it is important that you send the correct documents with your application. VFS visa application centre staff will advise you if some recommended documents are missing and you will be asked to confirm that you want to continue with your application. If you do not submit the documents needed to make a decision on your visa application, it may be delayed or your application may be refused.
  
  Everyone's circumstances are different. The 'checklists' on this website give you a general idea of the kinds of documents which will help the visa officer decide if you qualify for a visa under the Immigration Rules. Some documents are essential for points-based system applications and you should check the information available on the UK Border Agency website .Please make sure you include all supporting papers along with your application. Do not send or fax any papers separately.
  
  You must submit all your supporting documents with an English translation. Any translated documents need to be submitted with the original document for verification. Please submit the original documents with photocopies. If you submit the original documents without photocopies, the original copies will not be returned to you.
  
  You will need to bring the following:
  
  
• Your signed and valid passport or refugee travel document with at least 2 blank pages either side so we can insert the visa
  
• Completed and signed visa application form
  
• A photocopy of your passport and data page (the page which has your photograph and personal details)
  
• Supporting documents relevant to the category you are applying for with copy of each original document. Please also see the 'checklist' page on this website.
  
• The correct visa fee (if you have not already paid online).
  
• Bring 1 recent passport-sized (45mm high x 35mm wide) colour photograph of yourself. The photograph should be:
  • Taken against a light grey or cream background. It should be in sharp focus, clear and of good quality, free from shadows.
    
  • Printed on normal photographic paper.
    
  • Taken with nothing covering the face, without sunglasses or tinted spectacles, or a head covering unless worn for religious or medical reasons. The subject should have their mouth closed (no grinning, frowning or raised eyebrows) and the applicant should be facing forwarding, looking straight ahead.
    

  The photograph should be a recent true likeness and taken within the last 6 months.

  Please do not submit credit or debit cards or original airline tickets.
  
  Visas for children
  If your child is under 18, as well as meeting the Immigration Rules, they must show they have a parent or guardian who is responsible for their care and have suitable travel and care arrangements in place for their trip to the UK. Children can travel accompanied or unaccompanied. If they are travelling on an accompanied visa, the name and passport number of up to 2 adults travelling with them will be included on their printed visa. The child will then have to travel with one of these named people when they go to the UK. The visa will not be valid if their travel plans change and the named people on the visa cannot travel with the child. Further advice is available from the VFS visa application centre staff. Please note: if an applicant is approaching their 18th birthday a 'child accompanied' or 'unaccompanied' visa will only be issued and valid for 6 months after their 18th birthday, regardless of the fee paid. Refunds will not be issued in these circumstances.
  
  4. Wait for a decision
  
  Please wait for a decision on your visa application. You can track the progress of your visa application by using the 'track your application' link on this website. You can also refer to the 'guide to processing times' page on this website for information on our processing times. You can use this information as a guide to our recent performance, although it cannot be used as a guarantee of your individual visa application processing time. Visa applications are assessed individually and processing times may vary.
  
  5. Collection your visa
  
  You can collect your visa or have it returned to you using the 'additional services' on this website.
  
  

• Further information
  
  The UK Border Agency has produced information on various types of visa categories. The information can be found on the UK Border Agency Visa Services website.
  
  

• Points-based system
  
  Please visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk and see the 'Studying in the UK' and 'Working in the UK' pages for more information
  
  Tier 1 Categories:

  •	Tier 1 (General) migrant
  •	Tier 1 (Investor)
  •	Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)
  •	Tier 1 (Post-study work)

  
  Highly Skilled Forum Judicial Review A recent High Court ruling in the UK resulting from the Highly Skilled Forum Judicial Review affects certain people who formerly had permission to be in the UK under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP).
  
  A policy document which explains in detail who is affected by the ruling is available on the UK Border Agency website.
  
  Tier 2 Categories

  •	Tier 2 (General)
  •	Tier 2 (Intra company transfer)
  •	Tier 2 (Sportsperson)
  •	Tier 2 (Minister of religion)

  
  Tier 4 Category

  •	Tier 4 General students
  •	Tier 4 (child) student
  •	Tier 4 policy guidance

  
  Tier 5 Categories

  •	Tier 5 (Creative and sporting)
  •	Tier 5 (Charity worker)
  •	Tier 5 (Religious worker)
  •	Tier 5 (Government authorised exchange)
  •	Tier 5 (International agreement)
  •	Tier 5 (Youth mobility scheme)