Seeking help with Saudi visa to enter Saudi

The business man visa is generally only given for those people who have the profession "investor" or "businessman" on their Bahrain residency.  Or in other words, company owners/directors as listed in the CR of the company.  The purpose of this visa is for these individuals to be able to visit Saudi to sign business deals.  It does not apply to you.  For employees of companies, you get commercial entry visa.

The 5 year multiple visit visas are for US nationals only but if you apply for those from the US, they are always given via "AIR".  The only way to get these as "OPEN" is to apply from Bahrain WITH an invitation letter.  That you already know.  These used to work until very recently i.e. a month ago - you know that as well.

Unfortunately, you WILL need an invitation letter.

And by the way, whatever is on the VFS Tahseel site, may not be representative. I am applying for a new businessman visa next week and I was told that I HAVE to give an invitation letter (standard online MOFA one) PLUS an additional invitation letter from the Saudi company with a few lines on why I want to get this visa.  So EVEN for a businessman visa, they are asking for an invitation letter nowadays. This is due to new Saudi consul staff coming into place after Eid - they are also rejecting most 2 year businessman visa (only commercial entry 2 year is being approved if your company in Bahrain has Saudi offices as well).