Residence Permit in Bahrain

There are various ways through which you can immigrate to Bahrain as a foreigner. In order to relocate, you must obtain a residence permit in Bahrain and the requirements to be met can be explained by our local specialists. We are a team made of Bahrain company formation specialists and our immigration lawyers in Bahrain who can provide tailored assistance no matter the type of service you need.

Quick Facts
Temporary residence permit types	– work permits, – long-term residence permits, – dependent residence permits
Time needed to obtain the temporary residence permit (approx.)	It can take between 1 and 10 days to have a residence/work permit approved.
Temporary residence permit validity	The usual validity period of a residence permit obtained through employment is 1 or 2 years.
Documents for obtaining temporary residence	– valid passport (at least 6 months of validity is recommended), – reason for immigration (employment contract, self-sponsorship, investment, family reunion), – application form, – health certificate
Special  residency program availability (YES/NO)	Yes, residence by investment visa is available.
Sponsorship requirements (YES/NO)	Sponsorship is required for those who do not have sufficient funds for self-sponsorship (BHD 5,000).
Dependents can join the temporary permit holder (Yes/No)	Dependent can relocate to Bahrain through dedicated visas.
Temporary or permanent residency for investment purposes	Long-term residence permits can be issued to investors, self-employed persons and retirees.
Type of investments available for residency purposes	Business opening, real estate purchase
Minimum investment amount	The minimum amount to invest in Bahrain is BHD 100,000 for company registration. An additional BHD 15,000 is also required as a deposit in a local bank account, plus BHD 500 as a monthly income.
Minimum temporary residence before applying for permanent residence	Permanent residency can be obtained after 5 years of living in Bahrain.
Residency for individuals married to a citizen of the country	5 years
Long-term residency option (YES/NO)	The golden visa allows applicants to obtain 10-year residence visas.
Naturalization requirements	– Arab citizens can apply for citizenship after 15 years of living here, – non-Arab citizens can apply for Bahrain passports after 25 years of living here
Dual citizenship permitted (Yes/No)	No, Bahrain does not recognize dual citizenship.

The main types of residence permits for Bahrain

Relocating to Bahrain comes with numerous advantages thanks to the several types of residence permits available. If normally a sponsor is required when moving to a Middle Eastern country, a Bahrain self-sponsorship residence permit is possible here.

Here are the main types of permits you can apply for if you want to immigrate to Bahrain:

• the work permit which is one of the most common ways foreign citizens use to obtain a residence permit in Bahrain;
• the residence permit which usually requires a sponsor, however, as mentioned above, can also be obtained through self-sponsorship;
• the investment residence visa that can be obtained by those who want to purchase real estate.

Each type of residency comes with its own requirements, which is why our immigration lawyers in Bahrain can explain in detail how to apply for any of them. Apart from this, you can also rely on us for information on the Bahrain residence permit cost depending on your relocation needs.

How to obtain residency in Bahrain through a work permit in 2024

Foreign citizens interested in moving to Bahrain can find many employment opportunities. If you are in this situation, you can also obtain a residence permit in Bahrain based on your job in 2024. This is one of the simplest ways of relocating here, as the procedure must be started by the employer who must file the following papers on behalf of the foreign employee:

• the personal details of the employee (copy of the passport);
• proof that the employee is qualified for the job (diplomas, education background information);
• the employment contract;
• a healthcare certificate.

The documents must be filed with the Labor Market Regulatory Authority in Bahrain.

On his end, the employee must also complete a few formalities that can be explained by our local specialists.

Here is also an infographic on this subject:

If you want to move here and open a business in Bahrain, our specialists in immigration to Bahrain are at your service.

If you need information on how to open a company in Bahrain, please get in touch with our agents. We can also help you with the registration procedure, as part of our wide range of services. Feel free to contact us for detailed information on our solutions for investors who come to Bahrain for the first time and want to have their own businesses.

Language can be a barrier when it comes to immigration to Bahrain. This is why, having support from local specialists is very important. Even if the country has developed a lot in terms of document handling, it can still be difficult to understand how the entire process is completed. In this sense, you can rely on our immigration lawyers.

The Bahrain self-sponsorship residence permit

One of the most comfortable ways of obtaining a 2024 residence permit in Bahrain is self-sponsorship.

The Bahrain self-sponsorship residence permit is available for the following categories of foreign citizens:

• investors;
• retires;
• property owners.

If you enter one of these categories, you can rely on our immigration lawyers in Bahrain for support in applying for a residence permit. We can assist with the preparation of the documents and their filing with the authorities.

You must also consider that the Bahrain residence permit cost depends on the type of visa you request. Apart from this, there are also other requirements that must be met.

Our team is made of several specialists, including Bahraini lawyers who can handle a variety of legal matters. Among these, immigration is one of the most sought. We can help you apply for various types of visas. However, before we proceed, we advise making sure that you meet the requirements for the selected residence permit.

Employee relocation is one of the ways through which is it possible to secure temporary residency in Bahrain. Its main advantage is getting acquainted with the working conditions and lifestyle in this country so that if you decide on long-term relocation, you can make an informed decision. With respect to the immigration paperwork, let our lawyers handle it.

Self-sponsorship financial requirements in Bahrain

Both a resident visa and a work permit are necessary for foreign nationals who want to live and work in Bahrain. The Bahrain investor work permit application process is the quickest and simplest way to obtain a visa for the Kingdom of Bahrain. Investors in a local business are given access to this two-year authorization. The investor can get a resident visa from the General Directorate of Immigration and Passport (GDIP) by means of a “No Objection Certificate” after obtaining the investor work permit. The investor work permit also entitles the holder to serve as the sponsor for relative residency permits.

Apart from the Bahrain residence permit cost, each option comes with specific financial requirements.

In the case of investors who come to open companies in Bahrain, these are:

1. the expat must contribute with a minimum of BD 100,000 to the share capital of the company;
2. the person must also deposit BD 15,000 in a local bank account for which a certificate of holding the deposit must be obtained every 6 months;
3. the residence permit holder must also have a minimum source of income of at least BD 500 per month.

In the case of a person retiring and seeking to obtain a residence permit in Bahrain, a deposit of BD 5,000 must be made in a bank account opened with a local bank.

In the case of a real estate owner, there are a few conditions to be met in order for him/her to obtain a Bahrain self-sponsorship residence permit in 2024:

• the value of the property must be at least BD 50,000;
• a deposit of BD 15,000 must also be made in a local bank account;
• a source of income of at least BD 500 per month is also required.

You can rely on our specialists for details on the Bahrain residence permit cost.

How to obtain residency in Bahrain through family sponsorship

Immigration to Bahrain is possible through various means, one of them being family sponsorship.

Close relatives can join a resident in Bahrain more easily through a family visa. The requirements for this type of relocation procedure imply:

• those who wish to sponsor overseas spouses or children as citizens of Bahrain;
• those who have valid work permits as foreign residents, and have a minimum monthly income of BHD 1,000;
• those who are residents of another country with enough money to support dependents and a valid investment or self-sponsorship permission.

Our lawyers in Bahrain can assist with the drafting of the necessary documents that enable one to bring family to this country.

Documents required to obtain a residence permit in Bahrain

The following documents are usually required for applications for residence permits in Bahrain:

• a valid passport (the minimum validity must be 6 months);
• a Bahraini health insurance certificate;
• a certificate of good behavior (criminal record) no older than 6 months;
• a bank statement;
• a health exam certificate.

Additional requirements may apply based on the type of residency and its use. For example, in some circumstances, evidence of property ownership or retirement status may be required.

We are also at the service of investors who want to set up a company in Bahrain. In this sense, you can rely on our company formation specialists.

Validity of the residence visa

The validity of a Bahraini residence permit depends on the reason of immigration. Most visas issued for employment purposes are issued for one or two years and can be renewed. In the case of family-based residence visas, the validity period is directly 2 years.

It is important to verify the status of your resident permit in order to guarantee compliance with immigration laws and regulations. You can also rely on our immigration specialists if you have unclarities about when your visa will expire and the renewal conditions to comply with.

Tax residency in Bahrain

In order to become a tax resident, a foreigner must apply for a tax residency certificate in Bahrain. This is an official document provided by the government and it attests to an applicant’s status as a resident. The Foreign Tax Relations Directorate (FTRD) grants tax residence certificates to qualified citizens, businesses, and government bodies residing in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The applicant for the Certificate of Residence must spend at least 183 days of the year in Bahrain in person in order to be eligible for the certificate. To make sure the applicant satisfies this criterion, the Nationality, Passport and Residence Affairs (NPRA) and the Foreign Tax Relations Directorate (FTRD) will work closely together.

How to get permanent residency in Bahrain

For residents and foreign nationals wishing to live and work in Bahrain for an extended period of time, the Ministry of Interior in Bahrain has introduced the Golden Residence Visa program.

People now have the chance to become permanent residents of Bahrain thanks to this scheme. The government plans to draw foreign investors and highly qualified individuals to boost the economy.

In order to qualify for this program, applicants must be able to prove that they are qualified as investors or entrepreneurs or that they have unique skills that would benefit Bahrain’s economy and society. Those who satisfy these requirements may take a look at their options for acquiring a golden visa, which grants them long-term residency in Bahrain along with related benefits.

The program ensures residence permits for immediate family members and enables investors, retirees, and highly skilled individuals to work under a 10-year renewable residence permit. Here is our video on this subject:

Access to citizenship in Bahrain

Bahrain is one of the most appreciated countries to move in the Middle East, especially for investors who can set up businesses in one of the most prolific industries in the world: oil and gas exploitation. The same sector also offers numerous job opportunities that pay quite well. However, in the past few years, Bahrain has evolved a lot from an economic point of view and enables entrepreneurs to benefit from unlimited investment possibilities.

Those interested in citizenship in Bahrain should know that this status can be obtained under strict conditions. The main ways to become a citizen of this country are:

• descent, which does not imply meeting specific requirements;
• birth, however, this is available only for those with fathers who are citizens of Bahrain;
• marriage, but this option is available for foreign women marrying Bahraini citizens.

When it comes to naturalization, this option is mainly available to Arab citizens after living here for a minimum period of 15 years. Also, dual citizenship is not available in Bahrain.

If you are interested in immigration to Bahrain and obtaining a residence permit in 2024 and need support with the application, do not hesitate to contact us and start an amazing life here.