Bahrain Golden Residency Visa
The Ministry of Interior, Nationality, Passport & Residence Affairs (NPRA) in Bahrain has been developing its residency offerings to attract foreign investors and skilled employees to encourage growth in the Bahrain economy.
While many individuals obtain longer-term residency in the Kingdom of Bahrain through company incorporation, these residency visas are tied to the business. There are other residency-by-investment programmes available for foreign investors to explore.
As part of Sovereign ’s Visa and PRO services in Bahrain, we can assist our clients with Residency applications. We can help to assess an individual’s eligibility for residency in Bahrain and provide expert guidance on which programme will best suit their profile and requirements.
We can then assist the client and, if applicable, their relatives, with the full application process in respect of obtaining and preparing all documentation for submission.
Bahrain Golden Residency Visa Requirements
The Bahraini government launched the Golden Residency Visa programme for residents and non-residents, as well as their families, in 2022. This Visa programme grants qualifying investors, retirees and highly talented individuals with a 10-year renewable residence permit, as well as the ability to sponsor residence permits for immediate family members. Previously, most foreign nationals in Bahrain were limited to two-year renewable residency terms.
The Golden Residency Visa gives holders the right to work in Bahrain and allows them multiple entry and exit from the kingdom. Holders can have their visas renewed indefinitely, provided they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
To qualify for the Golden Residency Visa, existing residents of Bahrain are required to meet the following criteria under any of four different categories:
- Property Investment – applicant investors must own one or more properties in Bahrain with a total purchase value of at least BHD200,000 (c. USD530,000).
- Professionals / Skilled Employees – applicants must have resided in Bahrain continuously for at least five years and earned an average monthly basic salary of at least BHD2,000 throughout the five-year period.
- Retirement – applicant retirees must have resided in Bahrain continuously for at least five years and receive a monthly income of at least BHD4,000.
- Specialised Talent – Highly talented individuals must be recognised by the relevant government authority in Bahrain (including an accredited business incubator) as having exceptional skills or talents in a variety of fields, including academic, entrepreneurial, scientific or sports.
Bahrain Golden Residency Visa Benefits
The Bahrain Golden Residency Visa provides the following benefits to applicants:
- The opportunity to live permanently in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
- Golden Residencies also available to family members including their spouse, children and parents.
- Allows employment in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
- Allows multiple entry to the Kingdom of Bahrain without restrictions.
By comparison to many of its GCC neighbours, the investment amount required to obtain residency in Bahrain is low, while the monthly income requirements for professionals and retirees are modest.
There are also reduced minimum stay requirements in Bahrain. Successful applicants will be required to spend only 90 days a year in Bahrain. This gives the individual more flexibility for travel throughout the year and makes the Bahrain Golden Residency Visa easier to maintain.
Other benefits include Bahrain’s warm climate, good lifestyle, access to world-class education and healthcare, tax-free salaries and other employee benefits.
How can Sovereign assist?
For further information on the benefits and requirements under the Bahrain Golden Residency Visa programme, or to assess your eligibility, please contact one of our Bahrain-based consultants for a free consultation.
Please contact us if you have any questions or queries and your local representative will be in touch with you as soon as possible.
