Investor Visa Bahrain- Requirements and Cost in 2024

The strategic location, business-friendly government, and top-quality workforce make Bahrain a favorite destination for investors obtaining an investor visa. Bahrain ranks at the top of the list of countries offering an outstanding balance between work and lifestyle. One of the greatest reasons businesses invest in this Gulf State is easy access to neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia and UAE. Moreover, the government offers businesses innumerable benefits of its VAT system. Bahrain has launched an investor visa program that allows foreigners to reside in the country and scale their businesses.

What is An Investor Visa?

An investor visa is an immigration permit that allows foreign investors to make substantial investments and boost the country’s economy. LMRA investor visa in Bahrain opens up new pathways of success for investors and gives them easy access to the regional markets. It gives them the flexibility to benefit from the VAT system in the Kingdom. Bahrain’s government does not levy corporate tax on businesses. Instead, it aligns with regulators to provide a work-friendly environment to the investors.

Types of Bahrain Investor Visa

Bahrain law allows an investor visa to those who own a business in Bahrain or want to invest in an already operating business. There are two kinds of investor visas in Bahrain:

Remember that the Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) issues investor visas in Bahrain with the approval of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Tourism, and NPRA (Nationality, Passports, and Residence Affairs). Bahrain allows full ownership to foreign investors in more than 350 types of companies.

Bahrain investor visas are issued to foreign investors without restricting the amount invested. A person can get an investor visa by investing only 1 BHD in any business in Bahrain.

There is a slight difference between an investor visa and a businessman visa. An investor visa is issued to persons who want to invest in Bahrain, and a businessman visa is issued to persons who want to invest and run a business with special skills. Both the visas need approval from the Ministry.

Benefits of Bahrain Investor Visa

Obtaining a Bahrain investor visa brings innumerable benefits for visa holders. Some of those benefits are:

• It provides you with a businessman status in the Kingdom by recognizing the investment and contribution towards the growth of its economy. You can enjoy significant privileges while doing business in the landscapes of Bahrain.
• Having an investor visa in Bahrain allows you multiple entries without any restrictions. This uninterrupted travel to and from the country allows you to attend worldwide business meetings.
• Possessing a businessman visa gives you the privilege of a multi-entry Saudi e-visa for 1 year. It facilitates your frequent visits to the neighboring country and builds business relationships.
• The Bahrain investor visa includes streamlined entry into all other Gulf States to promote cross-border business ventures.
• As a compliment to the Bahrain business visa, you will get a residency permit for a long-term stay in the Kingdom.
• You can sponsor your family to visit Bahrain if you have a Bahrain investor visa. It creates a supportive environment to carry out business operations.
• Securing a business visa in Bahrain allows you to live and enjoy a quality lifestyle in the region.
• It also allows you to grow your business in Bahrain with the help of a skilled and diverse workforce and take advantage of its strategic location in the region.
• A Bahrain Investor visa allows you to grow your business in a peaceful and business-friendly environment because the government collaborates closely with businesses.

Requirements of Investor/Business Visa

If you plan to set up a company in the dynamic business environment of Bahrain, you must also know the requirements. Below are the requirements to obtain an investor visa or businessman visa in Bahrain:

Passport

Your passport is a crucial document for setting up a business in Bahrain. It confirms your identity, nationality, and other personal details. Your passport is also vital to proceed with residency documents.

Commercial Registration Certificate

As setting up a business or company is mandatory to obtain an investor visa in Bahrain, your visa documents require a copy of your company’s registration with Bahrain authorities. It is the document that proves the existence and legality of your business within the landscapes of Bahrain.

GAMCA Medical Certificate

If you are not a resident of the Gulf countries and are entering Bahrain for the first time, do not forget to bring a copy of your GAMCA medical certificate. You can get this medical fitness certificate from any Gulf Cooperation Council-approved medical center. It ensures that the person obtaining an investor visa meets Gulf fitness standards.

Office Electricity Bill (EWA)

Another requirement of a Bahrain investor visa is your office electricity bill issued by the Electricity and Water Authority. It serves as proof of your business’s physical location.

Commercial Registration Extract

Submission of the commercial registration extract is another required document for investor visa processing in Bahrain. It details the company’s registration and highlights other key specifics related to its operations and legal standing.

Previous Residence Permit

It is helpful to submit their previous residence permit for only those who have already lived in Bahrain. This document will help authorities track previous residency history and smooth the visa processing.

Remember to upload all these documents in GIF format. The size of each GIF image must not be greater than 200 KB.

How Do You Obtain an Investor Visa in Bahrain?

The best way to secure an investor visa in Bahrain is to set up a business or company in the Kingdom or invest in an already operating business. There are four different ways you can invest:

1. An investor can set up a WLL company in Bahrain because Bahrain law allows 100% foreign ownership in more than 350 types of businesses. Setting up a company will make you qualify for a business visa.
2. You can inject capital into an established business if you do not want to set up a new company. Your contribution to that company’s growth will make you eligible for an investor or business visa.
3. Bahrain law also allows an investor visa to the person who enters a partnership with another investor or business. Sharing resources and expertise will help you meet the criteria for securing a business visa.
4. Sometimes, people use a strategic approach and invest in company shares. This kind of investment also makes them eligible for investor visas in Bahrain.

Process of Obtaining Investor Visa

After knowing the requirements and eligibility for a Bahrain businessman visa, it is important to follow a structured process that meets Bahrain’s Immigration prerequisites. If you want to invest in Bahrain’s thriving economy and actively engage in commercial activities there, use the following systematic approach to secure a visa faster.

Gather Documents

The first step in applying for an investor visa in Bahrain is to gather and compile all the documents required for visa application. Usually, the documents include a valid passport, business ownership or evidence of investment, financial statements reflecting your financial position, a detailed business plan, and any other required by the Ministry.

Company Establishment

Bahrain investor visa is granted only to those who establish a company or invest in any already running business. Therefore, you must submit a company registration certificate to secure a visa. Remember that your company registration should follow local business laws. Those who want to invest in an already operating business must remember that their investment aligns with prescribed regulations.

Application Submission

Now, you will apply for a visa online here. Submit a duly filled application form and copies of the required documents at any designated Ministry offices. It is important to remain in contact with the Bahrain Ministry of Interior or LMRA visa-issuing authorities.

Review and Processing

Bahrain Ministry of Interior will scrutinize your visa application and verify all the attached documents. Therefore, providing the correct documents is mandatory to save time. The authorities ensure your application meets visa criteria before approval.

Visa Issuance

After a successful review, you will be issued an investor visa and residency permit if your application meets the criteria. Now, you are set to invest in Bahrain and play a key role in growing its economy. Bahrain law allows you to set up a company in the Kingdom or invest in any business venture.

Residence Registration

On arrival, your first responsibility is to register your Kingdom residence. You cannot register residence until you obtain a civil identification card or CPR. At this stage, you may be required to undergo various health and security screening tests.

Bahrain Investor Visa Fee 2024

The Bahrain investor visa fee will cost you BHD 172 for one year. It includes a basic health care fee of BHD 72 and an LMRA Visa fee of BHD 100. You can obtain an investor visa with one or two years of validity by paying the specified fees. The details of the fee is as follows:

• The annual fee is BHD 172 for one year of validity and BHD 344 for two years of validity.
• The renewal cost for Bahrain investor visas varies with the period of validity. You can renew your visa for BHD 86 for 6 months, BHD 172 for 1 year, and BHD 344 for 2 years.
• Apart from these costs, you have to pay a monthly fee of BHD 5. However, if your company has more than 5 employees, you must pay BHD 10 per month from the 6^th employee.
• As an investor, you need not to pay insurance fee (GOSI). A non-Bahraini employee will be charged 4% of their basic salary as insurance and a Bahraini employee will be charged 19% as an insurance fee.

Bahrain Investor Visa Processing Time

After applying for a Bahrain businessman visa, people wonder how long it will take to get an investor visa. Usually, it takes 5-8 business days to get visa approval from Bahrain authorities. We have broken it down into three steps to make it easier to understand.

Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA)

After application submission, LMRA is the first Bahrain authority to receive your application. They ensure all work-related stuff, like setting up a company in Bahrain or investing in an already running business, aligns with regulatory laws.

Central Informatics Organization (CIO)

They are next in line to check your visa application. They handle the technical part of your application and ensure all the information provided on the form or in the documents is correct.

National Passport and Residency Affairs (NPRA)

The third step in your visa application scrutiny is the last look from NPRA. After their approval, your visa is ready, and you are ready to go.

So, relax; your visa application will take a bit of time because of these three checking steps.

Bahrain Businessman Visa Renewal

The renewal of your Bahrain investor visa is easy because you have a lot of choices. You can renew a visa for six months, one year, or two years by paying different fees. Six-month renewal costs BHD 86, one year’s renewal costs BHD 172, and two years’ renewal costs BHD 344.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)