Bahrain
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- Restrictions on short-term stays which in most cases is defined as under 90 days.
- Restrictions on long-term stays which in most cases is defined as over 90 days.
The types of restriction are:
- HIV testing/disclosure required for work visa.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for residence.
- Ban on residence.
- Deportation based on HIV status.
Restrictions on entry to Bahrain
Sources are mixed on whether Bahrain imposes entry restrictions on people living with HIV.
The official website of the Government of Bahrain includes details of entry visas, and these do not explicitly require HIV testing or disclosure, or any general medical examination.
However, according to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Bahrain deports non-nationals on the basis of HIV status. The US Department of State points out that although not required to declare HIV status upon arrival, the government may revoke visas of non-nationals who are HIV positive.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Bahrain
We are aware of some official restrictions on short-term stay of people living with HIV in Bahrain.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Bahrain requires HIV testing or disclosure for certain types of visas, and prohibits short-term stay on the basis of HIV status. There may be a risk of getting tested for HIV without consent during a hospital visit.
To apply for work permits the sponsor should submit a work visa application via the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), and the documents required include ‘medical examination report for the expatriate employee, done in his/her home or current country of residence’. The medical report must be issued by one of the accredited health centres by the Ministry of Health as published on LMRA’s website.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Bahrain
We are aware of some official restrictions on long-term stay of people living with HIV in Bahrain.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, residency permits for stays longer than 90 days are denied on the basis of HIV status and non-nationals living with HIV are deported on the basis of their HIV status.
Treatment access in Bahrain
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Bahrain. There is some evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
According to the US Department of State, travellers with HIV to Bahrain should carry enough medication to cover the intended stay. Pharmacies reportedly will not sell HIV/AIDS medication to non-nationals without a permit from the Ministry of Health. Health facilities and pharmacies are required to report HIV-positive non-nationals to the Ministry of Health, which could lead to deportation.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Bahrain page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data
This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.
Migrant populations
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | N/A |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
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This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.
