Western Asia · Immigration

Bahrain

28 immigration routes

Bahrain sits in Western Asia. Its immigration system runs 28 distinct routes — led by family, work and short stays and visits, each set out in official law. All 28 cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.

Immigration routes
28across 9 route categories, each set out in official law
Source-cited routes
28 of 28cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
Largest category
Family8 of the 28 routes — see them under Family below
Region
Western Asia
Capital
Manama
Population
1,600,366
Official language
Arabic
Currency
BHD
Time zone
UTC+03:00
Source-cited pathways

Immigration routes

All 28 routes, grouped by purpose — 28 of 28 cite an official government source directly.

Work

5 routes

Work permit for a foreign domestic employee sponsored by a domestic employer.

Eligibility: 1Report facts: 3
Official government source: lmra.gov.bh · checked 2026-07-25

Permit allowing an eligible worker already in Bahrain with a terminated work permit to work in their own name through the registered-worker programme.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Process & costs: 3Report facts: 2
Official government source: lmra.gov.bh · checked 2026-07-25

LMRA work permit and associated residence for a foreign employee sponsored by an establishment employer.

Eligibility: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 1
Official government source: lmra.gov.bh · checked 2026-07-25

Multiple-entry professional visa for eligible truck drivers.

Report facts: 1
Official government source: npra.gov.bh · checked 2026-07-25

Investment

3 routes

Ten-year renewable Golden Residency for a foreign owner of qualifying Bahraini real estate.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 3Report facts: 4
Official government source: npra.gov.bh · checked 2026-07-25 · 5 sources

Self-sponsored residence for a foreign investor holding a qualifying ownership or partnership interest in a Bahraini enterprise.

Investment from BHD 100,000
Eligibility: 2Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 1
Official government source: npra.gov.bh · checked 2026-07-25

Self-sponsored residence for a foreign owner of qualifying residential property in Bahrain.

Investment from BHD 50,000
Eligibility: 2Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 2
Official government source: npra.gov.bh · checked 2026-08-18

Talent and merit

1 route

Ten-year renewable Golden Residency for a government-recognised talented individual.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 2Process & costs: 4Report facts: 3
Official government source: npra.gov.bh · checked 2026-07-25 · 5 sources

Study

2 routes

Family

from BHD 400/mo
8 routes

Dependants residence permit linked to an eligible expatriate worker.

Income from BHD 400/mo
Process & costs: 1Report facts: 3
Official government source: lmra.gov.bh · checked 2026-07-25

Living from your own income

from BHD 500/mo
3 routes

Golden Residency for a foreign retiree with qualifying Bahrain employment and pension history.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 2Report facts: 4
Official government source: npra.gov.bh · checked 2026-07-25 · 4 sources

Ten-year renewable Golden Residency for a retired foreigner not residing in Bahrain with qualifying pension income.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 2Report facts: 4
Official government source: npra.gov.bh · checked 2026-07-25 · 4 sources

Self-sponsored residence for a retired foreigner satisfying the published income and document requirements.

Income from BHD 500/mo
Eligibility: 1Documents: 3Process & costs: 2Report facts: 3
Official government source: npra.gov.bh · checked 2026-08-03

Long-term residence

1 route

Golden Residency for a foreign employee with the required Bahrain residence and salary history.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 2Report facts: 4
Official government source: npra.gov.bh · checked 2026-07-25 · 5 sources

Culture, faith and volunteering

1 route

Short stays and visits

4 routes

Temporary business-entry visa for foreign businesspeople and company representatives attending meetings or conducting transactions.

Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 3
Official government source: npra.gov.bh · checked 2026-07-25

Multiple-entry visit visa issued through the official online or appointment channels.

Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 1
Official government source: npra.gov.bh · checked 2026-07-25

Temporary visit visa for family, relatives or personal purposes with a Bahraini resident or citizen guarantor.

Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 3
Official government source: npra.gov.bh · checked 2026-07-25

Official sources

Compiled by António Mira, founder · How we verify our data · Not legal advice — immigration rules and thresholds change; confirm with the official sources above before deciding.

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