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Bahrain is often called the second Dubai, making it a popular destination among expats. The country attracts both digital nomads and investors due to the absence of personal income tax and capital gains tax, as long as it is not related to the oil and gas sector. However, despite its appeal, becoming a resident is not easy.
To submit an application for citizenship, a candidate must meet several basic and simple criteria, but these are not the only requirements:
- be of legal age;
- have a good command of the Arabic language;
- have no criminal record.
The "Citizenship Law" of Bahrain was enacted in September 1963 and became one of the key documents regulating the process of granting residency. Based on current legal principles, as of 2024, there are several pathways to obtaining residency, each with its own specific eligibility requirements.
Ways to Obtain Citizenship
The Kingdom does not grant permanent residency rights regardless of the applicant's citizenship. Depending on the personal circumstances of the candidate and the intended purposes, foreigners can reside in the country under one of the temporary residence permits or submit a request for permanent residency.
Currently, the following methods of obtaining citizenship are available:
- By Birthright (Jus soli). A child born to a Bahraini father after September 16, 1963, automatically receives citizenship status. In addition, the Citizenship Law allows for the granting of residency to children born in the country, regardless of the parents' citizenship.
- By Descent (Jus sanguinis). This right applies to individuals born abroad but who have a Bahraini father or grandfather.
- Adoption. A foreign child is entitled to become a citizen if the adopting parents hold the Kingdom's citizenship.
- Through Marriage. This program applies only to women. A man who marries a Bahraini woman does not have the right to become a resident.
- By Naturalization. The process requires a long period of residence in the Kingdom. In standard cases, this is 25 years. For those from Arab countries, it is 15 years. In addition to strict requirements, applicants must demonstrate knowledge of the language, own property, have financial stability, and maintain a good reputation.
- Through Investment. There is no direct citizenship-by-investment program. The investor must meet several conditions, including specific requirements under the naturalization program. Only after this can they apply for permanent residency.
Advantages of Bahraini Citizenship
Obtaining permanent residency in the Kingdom provides several benefits, including high global mobility and a good standard of living. Citizenship expands business opportunities and optimizes the tax base. Additionally, the benefits of holding a Bahraini passport include:
- Visa-free travel: Citizens can travel to more than 80 countries without a visa.
- Access to social and economic benefits, quality healthcare, education, and a high pension.
- The right to participate in the country’s political life.
- The right to work for local companies.
- Safety, stability, and a low crime rate.
Dual Citizenship
Bahrain’s legislation does not recognize the principles of dual citizenship. This means that once citizenship is granted, one must renounce their original residency. There are rare exceptions, which apply to foreign women marrying citizens of the Kingdom.
Citizenship by Investment Program
Bahrain does not have a citizenship-by-investment program. However, foreign investors can take advantage of the Golden Residency Visa program, which allows qualified investors, retirees, and talented individuals to obtain a renewable 10-year residency permit, with the possibility of extending the status to immediate family members. By default, the Golden Residency Visa does not grant citizenship.
The "Golden Visa" grants the holder the right to work in the Kingdom, make multiple exits from the country, and engage in commercial activities. The main applicant can include their spouse, children, and parents in the application. The average processing time for the request is 2 to 4 weeks.
A person may qualify for application if they meet one of the following criteria:
- Real estate ownership: The foreign national must acquire one or more properties with a total value of at least 200,000 Bahraini dinars, equivalent to $530,000.
- Highly skilled and employed in a local company: The applicant must have lived in the country for at least 5 years and earned an average monthly salary of no less than 2,000 Bahraini dinars ($5,300) during that time.
- Retirees: The candidate must have legally resided in Bahrain for a minimum of 5 years and possess a monthly income of at least 4,000 Bahraini dinars ($10,600).
- Highly talented individuals: Individuals recognized for exceptional skills and talents in academic, business, sports, or scientific fields, subject to approval from the relevant government authorities of the Kingdom.
A residence visa can be renewed an unlimited number of times, provided that the applicant meets the program’s criteria. In addition, the holder of a residence permit is required to spend at least 90 days per year in Bahrain and have no legal issues in the country. To obtain citizenship through the naturalization process, a foreign holder of a golden visa must still reside in the Kingdom for 25 years.
Recent Reforms to the Citizenship Program
In the early 2000s, Bahrain was considered a promising model for political reforms and democratic transition; however, it has since become one of the most repressive states in the Middle East. Following the suppression of protest movements in 2011, the monarchy introduced a series of amendments to the civil law framework aimed at stripping individuals of their citizenship. The latest amendments were passed in 2019.
In 2019, changes were made to the Citizenship Law, including terrorism-related crimes as grounds for revoking residency rights. Now, executive authorities can make decisions to revoke citizenship based on suspicions or accusations related to terrorist activities.
Between 2012 and 2020, more than a thousand people were stripped of their citizenship due to suspicions of treason and terrorism. However, after a series of legal proceedings, the majority of applicants were able to restore their lost status.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Each of the available programs involves completing specific procedures and submitting the corresponding set of documents. While the visa application process can be completed entirely online, the procedures for obtaining residency are partially digitized. On the official government portals, candidates can find detailed instructions and download the required forms.
If the application process is standardized, it will include the following mandatory steps:
You can check the possibility of joining the relevant program on the Bahrain government website or at the nearest embassy.
The applicant must prepare a detailed dossier with all personal documents. They should take care in advance to obtain a criminal record certificate and a medical examination.
Send the completed application form along with personal documentation to the government for review. The application will be evaluated by the appropriate authorities, with a detailed verification of each candidate mentioned.
Upon receiving preliminary approval, the applicant is invited for an interview, which involves reviewing their past, current place of residence, and motivations for obtaining residency.
Upon completion of all procedures and approvals, the candidate receives a certificate of citizenship.
The final step is to apply for a national identity card at the Department of Citizenship, Passports and Residence.
Gathering Documents and Submitting the Application
The civil legislation of Bahrain is very strict. Without thorough preparation and precise adherence to the requirements of a specific program, it is difficult for a foreigner to expect success. It is recommended to start preparation by studying the specific conditions on the official website of the Bahrain government.
In general, the application procedure can be divided into several main stages:
- preparation of documents;
- submission of the application;
- payment of fees;
- interview.
It should be noted that in addition to personal documents, biometric data may be required to obtain a passport.
List of Documents
The checklist of documentation for the file is determined by each program. Depending on the applicant's personal circumstances, authorities have the right to expand the list by requesting additional documents. A standard package can be highlighted, which must be provided both when applying online and during a personal visit:
- Completed application form.
- Letter to the King in which the candidate expresses the desire to become a citizen and explains their motives.
- Current identification document.
- Birth certificate (if applicable).
- Marriage certificate (if applicable).
- Medical examination certificate.
- Certificate of no criminal record.
- Information on education and qualifications.
- Originals of all visas and residence permits.
Consideration and Resolution
The standard processing time for an application should not exceed 6 months. However, it should be noted that the timeframe may vary depending on the candidate's individual circumstances. Each application is evaluated based on the criteria outlined in Bahrain's "Citizenship Law." While minor errors can be corrected by the applicant during the review process, serious inaccuracies or falsification of information will inevitably lead to a denial of residency.
If the application is rejected, the foreigner can appeal the decision. To do so, it is necessary to understand the reasons for the refusal, address them, explore additional legal options with a local lawyer, and submit an appeal.
Disadvantages of Bahraini Citizenship
Despite the attractiveness of residency in this Arab country, there are several negative aspects of this status that should be noted. For foreigners, one of the main drawbacks of the current citizenship legislation is the difficulty of obtaining citizenship. Without Bahraini relatives, foreigners need to live in the country for many years before they can apply for citizenship.
Current citizens may also face serious issues. Recent amendments to the Citizenship Law have allowed authorities to revoke residency from individuals suspected of threatening the state, dissent, or terrorism. Additionally, Bahraini women continue to face discrimination regarding citizenship, marriage, and family relations.
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