Bahrain Residence Visas: A Guide by Stay Type

Published on September 29, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Obtaining a residence visa in Bahrain may seem complex at first, but with clear and precise information, it’s possible to navigate the process smoothly. Whether you’re an expatriate seeking to settle for professional reasons, a family planning a relocation, or a student pursuing a new adventure, choosing the right type of stay is crucial to ensure a seamless transition to life in Bahrain. This article aims to break down the specific procedures by type of stay, providing you with a detailed and essential guide to turn your plans into reality while avoiding common pitfalls and administrative delays.

Procedures for Obtaining a D Visa in Bahrain

Types of D Visas Typically Issued in Bahrain

D Visa Type	Target Audience	Main Purpose
Work Visa	Skilled Workers	Employment with a Bahraini employer
Student Visa	International Students	Enrollment in an academic institution
Research Visa	Researchers, Academics	Scientific or academic research
Golden Residence Visa	Highly Skilled Workers, Investors, Recognized Researchers	Long-term residence, professional flexibility

Eligibility Criteria

• Work Visa:
  • Job offer from a registered Bahraini employer
  • Mandatory sponsorship by the employer
  • Relevant qualifications or professional experience
• Student Visa:
  • Official admission letter from a recognized educational institution in Bahrain
  • Proof of sufficient financial resources
  • Medical coverage
• Research Visa:
  • Invitation or signed research contract with a Bahraini institution
  • Presentation of research project
  • Required academic qualifications
• Golden Residence Visa:
  • For skilled workers: proof of minimum salary over a given period
  • For researchers/experts: recognition of talent or exceptional contributions
  • Proof of income, investment, or property according to profile

Required Documents for Application

• Valid passport (often minimum 6 months beyond intended arrival date)
• Duly completed application form
• Recent passport photo
• Approval/admission letter or employment contract/research contract
• Proof of financial resources (bank statements, scholarship letter, etc.)
• Health insurance (for students/researchers)
• Criminal record (sometimes required depending on visa type)
• For Golden Residence: proof of income, property, or professional recognition

Application Submission Process

Online: Most applications can be submitted through the official portal of the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA) or the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) for work visas.

In Person: Submission possible at Bahrain embassies or consulates, or directly at the NPRA in Bahrain.

Step	Detail
Document Preparation	Gather all required documents, verify their validity
Application Submission	Online or in person, depending on visa type
Fee Payment	Payment by card or transfer (online) or on-site
Processing	Typically 2 to 6 weeks depending on visa type
Response	Notification by email or via portal, visa retrieval

Timelines and Fees

• Typical processing times: 2 to 6 weeks, varying by season and visa type
• Fees:
  • Work Visa: 100 to 300 BHD depending on duration and profile
  • Student/Research Visa: Administrative fees, sometimes reduced for scholarship students
  • Golden Residence Visa: Higher fees, often > 500 BHD

Practical Tips

• Regularly check regulatory updates on official websites (NPRA, LMRA, Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
• Prepare certified copies of important documents
• Translate documents not in English or Arabic through a certified translator
• Ensure passport has sufficient blank pages and is valid long enough
• Start procedures well before planned arrival date
• Keep copies of all submitted documents

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting incomplete application or expired documents
• Neglecting official translation of supporting documents
• Forgetting to pay application fees
• Waiting until the last minute to submit application
• Ignoring specific requirements for each visa category

Useful Contacts

Service	Address/Contact
NPRA (Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs)	Building 109, Road 3216, Area 732, Muharraq, Bahrain
LMRA (Labour Market Regulatory Authority)	Building 15, Road 145, Block 101, Hidd, Bahrain
Bahrain Embassy (France)	41 rue Cortambert, 75116 Paris
Bahrain Consulate (Belgium)	Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 144, 1050 Brussels
Official NPRA Website	npra.gov.bh
Official LMRA Website	lmra.bh

For personalized assistance, it’s recommended to contact the relevant service or the nearest Bahrain embassy/consulate to your place of residence directly.

Procedures for Temporary Residence Permit

Definition
The temporary residence permit in Bahrain is a visa allowing foreigners to legally stay for a determined period, typically between 1 and 2 years for standard work visas, up to 2 years for flexi permits, and between 2 and 10 years for certain investment or real estate ownership visas. This permit can be renewed under conditions.

Eligibility Conditions

• Have a validated job offer from a local employer (LMRA sponsor) or belong to certain categories such as investor, retiree, or property owner.
• Possess necessary funds (minimum investment required depending on visa type).
• Meet specific professional sector or family status criteria.
• For journalists and NGO representatives: prior accreditation or special authorization required.

Required Documents

• Valid passport (valid more than six months after entry).
• Employment contract or official letter from sponsor/employer.
• Proof of investment or notarized deed proving real estate ownership if applicable.
• Recent passport photos.
• Medical certificate attesting physical fitness for work if required.
• Recent criminal record extract in some cases.
• Proof of residence in Bahrain (rental lease, property deed…).

Simplified list of essential documents:

• Passport
• Employment contract/letter
• Financial/residence proof
• Passport photos
• Medical certificate/criminal record

Application Procedure

1. Online submission via the official eVisa portal, or physical submission through employer to LMRA (Labour Market Regulatory Authority) for professional permits.
2. Payment of administrative fees varying by duration and category (~5–12 BHD for short stays; several thousand USD for investors/property owners).
3. Standard processing time: few business days to several weeks depending on complexity and application volume.

Step	Action
Initial Submission	Online via eVisa / Professional sponsor via LMRA
Fee Payment	Bank card / Bank transfer
Processing Wait	Variable timeframe: days to weeks
Decision/Visa Receipt	“Approval” sent electronically

Renewal and Extension

The permit can be renewed in most cases:

• Standard visa: renewable every two years by employer/sponsor with required contract update.
• Flexi/investor/property owner permit: renewal conditional on maintaining financial/property status; procedures similar to initial submission but with updated proofs.

Note:

• Any prolonged absence (>6 months) may result in cancellation unless valid justification; Golden Visa requires minimum annual stay.

Precautions and Practical Tips

• Systematically verify all documents are valid, officially translated if necessary, and complete before submission (avoids immediate administrative refusal)
• Strictly respect deadlines set by Bahrain administration; submit any application well before current expiration
• In case of technical/documentary issues contact immediately:
  • The sponsor/employer,
  • Local embassy/consulate,
  • LMRA directly via their portal/official contact
• Refusals may stem from:
  • Documentary errors,
  • Previous violation of migration regime,
  • Non-compliance with financial/status requirements

Special Regulations

Certain categories must comply with specific provisions:

Affected Category	Specific Regulation
Foreign Journalists	Mandatory accreditation
NGO Representatives	Prior consular application
Women Married to Citizens	Accelerated naturalization possible under conditions

Authorities always reserve discretionary right over entry/stay; any behavior deemed inappropriate (document fraud, public disturbance…) results in immediate revocation without real recourse possible.

Always ensure to regularly consult the official Bahrain website and your local embassy to obtain the updated version of procedures!

How to Obtain Permanent Residence in Bahrain

Types of Visas Leading to Permanent Residence

• Work Visa: For employees who have worked at least five years in Bahrain with an average monthly salary exceeding 2,000 BHD (approximately 5,306 USD), insured by the Social Insurance Organization throughout the period.
• Real Estate Investment Visa: For individuals holding real estate properties with a minimum value of 200,000 BHD (approximately 530,555 USD), whether through one or multiple properties.
• Investor Visa: For foreign investors who have registered a company and demonstrated substantial financial investment in Bahrain.
• Retiree Visa: Reserved for individuals with sufficient financial resources from pensions or savings to support themselves without working.
• Golden Visa / Golden Residence: Specific program allowing access to permanent residence under strict conditions (work, investment, exceptional talents, retirement).

Eligibility Criteria for Permanent Residence

Visa Type	Main Criterion	Other Conditions
Work	Average salary >2,000 BHD over 5 years	Continuous SIO insurance
Real Estate Investment	Properties ≥200,000 BHD	Legal title in applicant’s name
Investor	Proof of investment & company registration	Amount varies by project
Retiree	Sufficient income/pensions	Bank/pension proof
Exceptional Talent	Recognized contribution in field	Official recognition

Application Process

1. Verify eligibility according to chosen type via official portal or with NPRA (Nationality, Passports & Residence Affairs).
2. Gather the following documents:
   • Valid passport (>6 months)
   • Copy of local CPR/ID
   • Bank statements for six months
   • Recent medical certificate
   • Valid health insurance certificate in Bahrain
   • Specific proofs according to category (employment contract, property deed…)
3. Complete corresponding official form available online or at relevant government agencies.
4. Submit application:
   • Work/Investor visa: via employer or directly with LMRA and NPRA
   • Golden Visa/Golden Residence: dedicated portal Golden Residency Bahrain

Approximate Timelines and Key Steps

Initial file review: generally between two weeks and three months depending on complexity and administrative workload.

Official notification by email/SMS upon acceptance/rejection; possible requirement for additional interview sometimes.

Associated Rights and Obligations

Rights:

• Extended stay without major limitation; renewal every ten years for special statuses like Golden Visa
• Right to immediate family reunification (spouse(s), children)
• Free access to local job market subject to sectoral laws

Obligations:

• Maintain initial criteria throughout permanent stay
  (example: maintain property ownership or minimum salary level)
• Respect local tax obligations if applicable
  (tax on certain income)

Application Costs

Indicative list:

• Main administrative fees ranging between ~100 BHD and ~500 BHD depending on type
  • Possible additional fees for express services/legal support/multiple family members
  • Possible recurring fees during ten-year renewal for certain categories

Practical Tips

• Stay regularly informed via official websites like NPRA or dedicated golden visa site (https://goldenresidency.gov.bh).
• If necessary, use specialized immigration firms to maximize chances (document verification, certified translation…).
• Thoroughly inform yourself about local laws regarding housing, taxation, and social rights before submission.

To remain constantly informed given frequent legislative changes in this sensitive sector, it’s strongly advised to systematically consult these official portals before any important procedure.