Bahrain

Guarantor-backed visit route for foreign businesspeople or company representatives attending meetings or conducting business transactions in Bahrain. NPRA states visitors may not perform paid or unpaid work during the visit.

• No work rights

Longer-validity multiple-entry visitor e-visa route. NPRA says the route can be issued or extended for five years and lists one-working-day issuance.

• 5 years
• No work rights

Short-stay e-visa route for visitors applying outside Bahrain. NPRA lists a two-week stay, return-ticket and accommodation evidence, and a recent bank statement showing at least USD 1,000 regular income.

• 14 days
• No work rights

Permanent Golden Residency route for foreign residents in Bahrain who are employees or retirees. NPRA requires a salary certificate showing at least BHD 2,000, medical insurance issued in Bahrain, and a six-month bank statement.

• Path to residency

Permanent Golden Residency route for foreign real-estate owners in Bahrain. NPRA requires a title deed showing property value of at least BHD 130,000, Bahrain-issued medical insurance, and a six-month bank statement.

• Path to residency

Permanent Golden Residency route for retired nonresident foreigners. NPRA requires a pension certificate with at least BHD 4,000, medical insurance issued in Bahrain, and a six-month bank statement.

• Path to residency

Self-sponsorship residence route for retired foreigners. NPRA requires retirement certification from government or private sector service, or a GCC country, for at least 15 years and evidence of stable income of BHD 500 or more.

• 10 years, renewable

Permanent Golden Residency route for talented individuals. NPRA lists academic, athletic, entrepreneurial, artist, author, and similar talent certificates as source evidence, plus Bahrain-issued medical insurance and a six-month bank statement.

• Path to residency

Temporary investor entry route. NPRA says investors may receive a single-entry e-visa for three months and must apply for a resident permit through LMRA after entering Bahrain and completing commercial registration.

• 3 months
• No work rights

Self-sponsorship residence route for foreign investors. NPRA requires company ownership or partnership of at least BHD 100,000 and evidence of stable income of BHD 500 or more.

• 10 years, renewable

Self-sponsorship residence route for foreign owners of a residence in Bahrain. NPRA requires a certified title deed with property value of at least BHD 50,000 and evidence of stable income of BHD 500 or more.

• 10 years, renewable

Employer-sponsored LMRA work-permit route for expatriate employees hired on a Bahraini commercial registration. The national portal service page ties permit period to the employment contract and lists one-year and two-year service-fee tiers.

• 2 years
• Employer-sponsored only

Student entry and residence route for students enrolled in local or international universities or institutes in Bahrain. NPRA says locally registered students may receive a five-year student residence permit, while internationally registered students may receive a one-year stay permit.

• 5 years
• No work rights