How to Apply for Golden Visa Bahrain in 2024

To attract foreign investment and promote the country’s economic growth, Bahrain has launched the Golden Visa Bahrain program. The golden visa program has made the Kingdom a favorite destination for investors. Apart from investors, the program also offers people with special talents to live for an extended period in the country. If you are also interested in investing in the dynamic economy of Bahrain and want to live there for a long time, read the article till the end because we will tell you everything about the Bahrain Golden Visa, its benefits, requirements, and the application process in detail.

What is Golden Visa Bahrain?

Golden Visa Bahrain is a visa program that allows talented people, resident foreigners (employed and retired), retired foreigners, and real estate owners to live in Bahrain for an extended period. Usually, golden visa holders can live up to ten years and extend their visas indefinitely before expiration. There is no limit on entry and exit for golden visa holders. Golden visa holders can live, work, study in the Kingdom, and access several public services. It also allows them to buy and sell property and sponsor family members.

Benefits of Golden Visa Bahrain

The Bahrain golden visa offers many peculiar advantages, like many other visa types. Some of the benefits include:

It offers long-term residency to the people. Usually, it is for 10 years, extendable for an unlimited period.
Golden visa holders can enjoy a 30% lower cost of living than other Gulf countries.
As a golden visa Bahrain holder, you can enjoy up to 50% lower cost of establishing and operating a business than other GCC countries.
Bahrain golden visa allows visa holders to sponsor family members and give them residency.
You can live and work anywhere in Bahrain by obtaining a golden visa in Bahrain.
Once approved, you can renew your golden visa for an indefinite period. It saves you from the hassle of visa renewal after every two to three years.

Who Can Apply Golden Residency Visa Bahrain?

Bahrain golden residency visas are available for all those who meet the eligibility criteria specified by the Kingdom. All residents and non-residents meeting the below-mentioned criteria can apply for a golden residency visa in Bahrain.

For Existing Residents

All those existing residents in the Kingdom who have resided in Bahrain continuously for five years or more are eligible for a golden visa.

For New Residents and Non-Residents

New residents and non-residents are eligible for a golden visa Bahrain, provided they fulfill the conditions given below.

Have earned a minimum salary of BHD 2000 ($5305) per month for the last five years.
Own one or more properties in the Kingdom worth BHD 200,000 ($530,000).
Retirees with an income of no less than BHD 4000 per month.
Highly talented individuals with extraordinary skills.

Remember that the individuals applying for the Golden Visa Bahrain program must provide documentary proof for the category under which they apply. For example, they must provide documents of the property they own. Similarly, job holders and retirees will provide proof of income to be eligible for it. However, individuals with exceptional talent must equip their applications with the necessary documents that substantiate their exceptional abilities.

Documents Required for Golden Visa Bahrain

Different documents are required from residents and non-residents to apply for a golden visa in Bahrain. A brief description of the documents required is as follows:

Documents for Residents (Employees and Retirees)

For residents who are either employees or have retired from their service, a clear copy of the following documents is required to apply for a golden visa Bahrain:

A valid passport with at least six months of expiry remaining
Bank statement for the last six months
Proof of salary BHD 2000 or more per month for the past five years of residency
A valid health insurance policy in Bahrain

However, if a resident wants to invite his family after getting golden residency, the following documents would be required:

Golden residency of the applicant or sponsor
A copy of the passport of a relative or family member who intends to join you in Bahrain
Proof of relationship between the applicant and the family or relative

Documents Required for Non-Residents

The documents required for non-residents like retirees, property owners, and highly talented individuals differ. A brief detail for each category is elaborated below:

For Retirees

Passport with an expiry date of 6 months beyond application submission
Bank statement for the last 6 months
A valid health insurance certificate on reaching the Kingdom of Bahrain
Proof of salary of BHD 4000 or more per month
An old residence permit in the cases if the applicant has already lived there

For High Talented Individuals

A passport with more than 6 months of validity. It is far better if the passport has a validity equal to the individual’s stay in Bahrain.
The Bank statement clearly showing transactions for the past 6 months.
Certificate to prove that the individual is gifted with high talent
A valid health insurance certificate in Bahrain is also mandatory to obtain a golden visa in Bahrain
The copies of previous residency certificates if the individual has already been to the Kingdom.

For Property Owners

An individual with a property in Bahrain must submit a copy of his passport with 6 months of validity remaining on the date of his arrival in the Kingdom.
The last six months’ bank statement that shows various transactions performed in this period.
A property deed worth BHD 200,000 in Bahrain
He must also provide a copy of a valid health insurance certificate in Bahrain to obtain a golden visa.
If the individual has lived in Bahrain for some time, he must also submit proof of his previous residence in the Kingdom.

Remember that the golden visa program is a golden opportunity for those who want to enjoy life at its fullest because Bahrain offers a peaceful living and working environment.

How to Apply for Golden Visa Bahrain?

All individuals interested in living and working in Bahrain can apply for a golden visa Bahrain through the online Bahrain portal. The step-by-step application process is as follows:

Go to the services portal of the Bahrain Ministry of Interior: https://services.bahrain.bh/wps/portal/GoldenResidency_en
Navigate to “Golden Residency Visa Issuance Request” and click it
On the next page, select your applicant type. You can apply for a golden visa Bahrain whether you are a resident or non-resident.
On selecting the applicant type, you will be asked to cancel or continue. Click the continue button below to proceed with the application.
You will land on the page with an application form if you are a non-resident. However, residents can reach the application page by logging in to their eKey account.
In both cases, you will have to fill out the form. Usually, you have to provide details about your name, gender, marital status, passport details, and country of your residence.
At the top of this application page, you must select the residence category from the dropdown menu.
Now, click continue, and you will be asked whether you want to add relatives. You can add relatives or family member details here and then click continue.
You will be prompted to attach all the mandatory documents on the following page. After you have attached the documents, click continue.
You will be asked to review your details on the last page and confirm.
Submit the form and wait for its approval. After the Ministry of Interior approves the application for a golden visa in Bahrain, you will be asked to pay the requisite fee.
After fee payment, wait a week for your golden residency visa to be issued. Get a print of it from your email for further use. You can also check visa status online.

Golden Visa Bahrain Fee

Any individual applying for a Bahrain Golden Residency Visa has to pay two kinds of fees.

A non-refundable fee of BHD 4 as an application fee.
Bahrain charges BHD 300 ($795) upon application approval as a golden visa fee.

Golden Residency Visa Bahrain Processing Time

If you supply all the correct information and attach the required documents, you will receive your golden visa within 10 working days, whether a resident or non-resident. However, the process may take a little longer if any of the supplied information is incorrect or you uploaded the wrong document.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the validity of the Bahrain Golden Visa?

Bahrain golden visa is valid indefinitely if the visa holder continues to fulfill the criteria. There is no restriction on entry and exit from the Kingdom. The only condition is that the individual must live in Bahrain for at least 90 days each year.

Can I convert the Bahrain Golden Visa to another one?

No, you cannot convert your Bahrain golden visa to another one. Instead, you have to apply separately.

What is the fee for obtaining a golden visa Bahrain?

Apart from the application fee of BHD 4, an individual has to pay BHD 300 ($795) as a golden visa fee.

Can I Apply for a golden visa from my home country?

You can apply for the Bahrain golden visa from your home country. All Indian and Pakistani citizens can apply through the services portal of the Kingdom.