Bahrain — Complete Emigration Guide 2026
1,594,654 people · Capital: Manama · Western Asia
Updated H2 2026 · Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis
Overview
Bahrain is located in Western Asia, with a population of 1,594,654. Its currency is the Bahraini dinar. Our database tracks 24 visa pathways for Bahrain, each linked to a named source.
See also: Bahrain country profile
Popular routes to Bahrain: Bangladesh to Bahrain (Work Visa)
Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis. See our methodology and data sources.
Visa Pathways (24)
Sponsored Employment (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Work Permit | €452/mo | €452 | 12 mo | 3d |
Skilled Independent (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Residency Program — Professionals Working in Bahrain | €4,612/mo | €13 | 120 mo | 5d |
Investment / Golden Visa (4)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bahrain’s Golden Residency Program | €6,956/mo | €13 | 120 mo | 5d |
| Golden Residency — Talented Individuals | €4,637/mo | €13 | 120 mo | 10d |
| Self-Sponsorship Residence Permit — Foreign Investor | €1,153/mo | €513 | 24 mo | 40d |
| Self-Sponsorship Residence Permit — Foreign Property Owner | €1,153/mo | €513 | 24 mo | 40d |
Retirement (3)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retirement Visa | €1,160/mo | €513 | 24 mo | — |
| Retirement Visa | €4,638/mo | €13 | 120 mo | — |
| Retirement Visa (Pensioner) | €9,276/mo | €13 | 120 mo | — |
Study (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Visa + Student Residence Permit | — | €100 | 60 mo | 1d |
Family Reunification (4)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dependants Residency Permit (Children) | €928/mo | €100 | 3 mo | 3d |
| Dependants Residency Permit (Wife/Husband) | €928/mo | — | — | 3d |
| Residence Permit — Children of Bahraini Mothers (married to foreigners) | — | — | 24 mo | — |
| Residence Permit — Parents / Adult Family of Foreign Resident | €2,319/mo | €138 | — | 1d |
Spouse & Partner (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naturalization — Foreign Wife of Bahraini Citizen | — | — | — | — |
Naturalisation & Citizenship (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naturalization — Bahraini Citizenship by Long Residence | — | — | — | — |
Artists & Entertainers (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artist / Performing Group Visa | — | €175 | 3 mo | 3d |
Business Visit (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Visa | — | €43 | 3 mo | — |
Tourism & Short Stay (5)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Multiple-Entry eVisa | — | €113 | 12 mo | 1d |
| 10-Year Multiple-Entry eVisa (USA citizens) | — | €163 | 120 mo | 1d |
| 3-Month Multiple-Entry eVisa (G212 nationals) | — | €43 | 3 mo | 1d |
| 5-Year Multiple-Entry eVisa (G68 nationals) | — | €163 | 60 mo | 1d |
| Single Entry eVisa | — | €13 | 1 mo | 1d |
Transit (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Truck Driver Visa (Multi-Entry) | — | €150 | 3 mo | — |
Cost of Living
| Item | Bahrain | W. Europe Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | €650 | €1,200 | -46% |
| Rent (3BR) | €1,200 | €2,000 | -40% |
| Groceries | €280 | €350 | -20% |
| Transport | €35 | €80 | -56% |
| Utilities | €180 | €150 | +20% |
| Dining (meal) | €12 | €15 | -20% |
Salary & Employment
| Sector | Median (gross, €/yr) |
|---|---|
| Construction | €35,000 |
| Education | €42,000 |
| Engineering | €58,000 |
| Finance | €61,000 |
| Healthcare | €28,000 |
| Hospitality | €28,000 |
| IT | €35,000 |
| Retail | €22,000 |
Shortage Occupations
- Software Engineers (IT)
- Healthcare Professionals (Healthcare)
- Civil Engineers (Engineering)
- Finance Specialists (Finance)
Tax
Healthcare
Education
| University | QS Rank | English Progs | Tuition (Intl) |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Bahrain | 701 | 42 | €5,500 |
| Arabian Gulf University | — | 38 | €7,200 |
| Bahrain Polytechnic | — | 35 | €4,800 |
| Royal University for Women | — | 40 | €6,500 |
| University of the Gulf | — | 32 | €6,800 |
Practical Info
Banking
Driving
Phone & Internet
Credentials
Quality of Life
Official sources
The visa data on this page is compiled from official government sources — 20 of the 20 pathways link directly to the government page they were verified against, and 22 financial requirements below carry the exact quote from the official source. Values that fail verification are removed, not guessed — see the live verification freshness index.
- evisa.gov.bh · 3 pathways · verified 2026-06-08
- goldenresidency.gov.bh · 2 pathways · verified 2026-06-21
- data.globalcit.eu · 2 pathways · verified 2026-06-08
- evisa.gov.bh · 2 pathways · verified 2026-06-08
- npra.gov.bh · 1 pathway · verified 2026-07-01
- bahrain.bh · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-22
- bahrain.bh · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-23
- lmra.gov.bh · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-24
- bahrain.bh · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-21
- lmra.gov.bh · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-23
- bahrain.bh · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-22
- bahrain.bh · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-08
Verified requirements — exact official citations
Each figure below was verified verbatim against the official page linked, on the date shown.
Self-Sponsorship Residence Permit — Retired Foreigner · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “Self-sponsorship Residence Permit and Re-entry Visa (Investor) ... Fees 5 : Applying fee (Non-refundable) 200 : 2 years residence permit 400 : 5 years residence permit 600 : 10 years residence permit 250 : Visa transfer” — bahrain.bh, 2026-07-09
Minimum income: “Evidence of a stable income of 500 BHD or more” — bahrain.bh, 2026-06-26
Golden Residency Program · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “Golden Residency for Retired Non-Resident Foreigners ... Fees 5 : Non-refundable application fee 300 : 10 years golden residency fee” — bahrain.bh, 2026-07-09
Minimum income: “A retired individual who has worked in the Kingdom of Bahrain for at least fifteen years and who has an average pension of BHD 2,000” — goldenresidency.gov.bh, 2026-06-26
Golden Residency Program — Non-Resident Retiree (pension only) · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “Golden Residency for Retired Non-Resident Foreigners ... Fees 5 : Non-refundable application fee 300 : 10 years golden residency fee” — bahrain.bh, 2026-07-09
Minimum income: “A retired individual who has an average pension of BHD 4,000 (equivalent to USD 10,624) and over.” — goldenresidency.gov.bh, 2026-06-26
Golden Residency Program — Professionals Working in Bahrain · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “There is an application fee of BHD 5 (equivalent to USD 13) to submit your Golden Residency application. If approved, there is a residency issuance fee of BHD 300 (equivalent to USD 795).” — goldenresidency.gov.bh, 2026-07-09
Minimum income: “goldenresidency.gov.bh verbatim: 'A professional who has been working in the Kingdom of Bahrain for at least five years, earning an average monthly basic salary of over BHD 2,000 (equivalent to USD 5,306) over the past five years' — BHD 2,000 ≈ EUR 5,000” — goldenresidency.gov.bh
Golden Residency — Talented Individuals · 2 verified requirements
Requirement: “There is an application fee of BHD 5 (equivalent to USD 13) to submit your Golden Residency application. If approved, there is a residency issuance fee of BHD 300 (equivalent to USD 795).” — goldenresidency.gov.bh, 2026-07-09
Minimum investment: “"Entrepreneurs who have successfully founded, scaled, or invested in businesses that drive economic growth, create jobs, or introduce innovative solutions within their industries" — applications are subject to 'specialized talent committee review and approval', with no financial…” — goldenresidency.gov.bh, 2026-07-07
Endorsement Visa for Foreign Employees of GCC Companies · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “NPRA verbatim Fees: 'Application fee 5 BHD (Non-refundable). Visa approval fee 5 BHD. Visa issuance fee 30 BHD' — totals 40 BHD ≈ EUR 100 (BHD→EUR ≈ 2.50)” — services.bahrain.bh
Student Visa + Student Residence Permit · 1 verified requirement
Savings / proof of funds: “This residence is issued to students enrolled in local universities and institutes for a period of five years within the standards and regulations governing it. Required Attachments Service application form. An original copy of student passport. An Official letter from the…” — bahrain.bh, 2026-07-06
Residence Permit — Parents / Adult Family of Foreign Resident · 1 verified requirement
Minimum income: “not_applicable: the official NPRA family residence permit source (bahrain.bh psID=3001, 'Self-Sponsorship Residence Permit ( Family)') states no numeric monthly income threshold — it lists only document conditions and permit fees ('5 : Application fee (Non-refundable)', '200 : 2…” — bahrain.bh
Dependants Residency Permit (Children) · 1 verified requirement
Minimum income: “The expatriate employee's monthly net income (as per the Social Insurance Organization (SIO) registration) must be BHD 400 or more.” — lmra.gov.bh
Artist / Performing Group Visa · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “Issuing visas for artistic bands ... issued for artistic bands and persons under similar status, according to the statement issued by the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority ... Fees 64 BD” — bahrain.bh, 2026-07-09
Truck Driver Visa (Multi-Entry) · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “NPRA verbatim Fees: 'Applying fee 5 BHD (Non-refundable). Visa approval fee 5 BHD. Visa issuance fee 25 BHD. Extension fee 25 BHD' — apply+approval+issuance = 35 BHD; including extension fee for full first-period cost = 60 BHD ≈ EUR 150 (BHD→EUR ≈ 2.50). Issuance-only baseline =…” — bahrain.bh
1-Year Multiple-Entry eVisa · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “Issuance of a multiple entry Visitor eVisa (valid for one year) ... this multiple entry visa is issued to nationals of 212 countries for a period of one year ... Fees 44 BD” — bahrain.bh, 2026-07-09
Business Visa · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “Issuing a business visa ... issued to businessmen and corporate representatives abroad to conduct meetings, business transactions, etc. ... Fees 25 BD” — bahrain.bh, 2026-07-09
Residence Permit — Children of Bahraini Mothers (married to foreigners) · 1 verified requirement
Minimum income: “A clear certified copy of the marriage certificate and birth certificate issued by the legal courts of Bahrain or any other country is required. The permit is valid for a period of 2 years, with the option for renewal, within the applicable rules and regulations of the Kingdom…” — npra.gov.bh
3-Month Multiple-Entry eVisa (G212 nationals) · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “Issuance of a 3-month multiple entry Visit eVisa for GCC residents ... Fees 29 BD” — bahrain.bh, 2026-07-09
5-Year Multiple-Entry eVisa (G68 nationals) · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “Issuance of a multiple entry Visit eVisa valid for 5 years ... this multiple entry visa is issued to nationals of 68 countries for a period of five years ... Fees 64 BD” — bahrain.bh, 2026-07-09
Single Entry eVisa · 1 verified requirement
Requirement: “Issuance of a Visit eVisa for two weeks (single entry) ... Fees Visa fees 9 BD : Application fees 4 BD” — bahrain.bh, 2026-07-09
Frequently Asked Questions
How many visa pathways does Bahrain have?
Our database tracks 24 visa pathways for Bahrain across 12 categories, the largest being Tourism & Short Stay, Family Reunification, Investment / Golden Visa. Each entry links to a named source — 68% direct to an official government portal, the rest to a named embassy or professional reference while we complete direct verification.
What is the minimum income for the Retirement Visa?
The Retirement Visa lists a minimum income of EUR 1,160 per month, according to the official source (last checked 2026-06-21).
What is the average salary in Bahrain?
The average gross salary in Bahrain is EUR 807 per month. The statutory minimum wage is EUR 686 per month.
How much does rent cost in Bahrain?
A one-bedroom apartment in Bahrain averages EUR 650 per month, and a three-bedroom apartment averages EUR 1,200 per month.
What is the top income tax rate in Bahrain?
The top personal income tax rate in Bahrain is 0%. The standard VAT rate is 10%.
How long does it take to qualify for citizenship in Bahrain?
Among the pathways we track, the Naturalization — Foreign Wife of Bahraini Citizen lists 5 years to citizenship. Timelines vary by route and personal circumstances — check the official source for your case.
Start Preparing for Bahrain
Still shortlisting? See our data-driven ranking of the best countries to move to in 2026 — Top 10 overall plus picks for digital nomads, retirees, skilled workers, families, and low-cost living.