Bahrain: Requirements and procedures for a foreigner to sponsor themselves for a residency permit, including procedures for renewal and cancellation; rights available to a foreigner with a self-sponsored residency permit, including cross-border mobility, access to education, employment, and social services such as health care (2011-July 2014)
This Response replaces BHR104885 of 10 June 2014.
Information on the self-sponsorship residence permit was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. According to the website of Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs of the Ministry of the Interior of Bahrain, Self-sponsorship Residence Permits are issued to foreign retirees, foreign property owners and foreign investors (Bahrain n.d.a). The website outlines the following terms and conditions:
Terms and Documents Required for Retired Foreigners
- The applicant must present a Service Certificate confirming that he has retired after working in the public or private sector for no less than 15 years.
- A certificate must be presented confirming that the applicant and his dependants have valid health insurance in the kingdom.
- The applicant must present a Good Conduct Certificate issued by the concerned authorities at the Ministry of Interior in the kingdom.
- The applicant must present a Bank Certificate confirming that he has a constant bank deposit for not less than BD. 5,000/- (five thousand dinars) [C$14,445 (XE 22 May 2014a)] in the name of the applicant, in one of the banks or financial institutions that has a working licence in the kingdom. In addition, the applicant must present to GDNPR [Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs] documentary proof of the continuation of this Bank Deposit every six months.
- The applicant must have a regular income to cover his living expenses.
- The applicant must not work for the public or private sector in Bahrain.
Terms and Documents Required for Property Owners
- The applicant may be a foreigner who has purchased property in his name, worth not less than BD. 50,000/- (fifty thousand dinars) [C$144,450 (XE 22 May 2014b)].
- The applicant and his dependants must have health insurance.
- The applicant must present a Good Conduct Certificate.
- The applicant must have a Bank Deposit Certificate for not less than BD. 15,000/- (fifteen thousand dinars) [C$43,335 (XE 22 May 2014c)] in the name of the applicant in one of the banks or financial institutions that has a working licence in the kingdom.
- The applicant must have a regular income of not less than BD. 500/- (five hundred dinars) [C$1444 (XE 22 May 2014d)] per month, to cover his living expenses.
- The applicant must not work for the public or private sector in Bahrain.
Terms and Documents Required for Foreign Investors
- The applicant may be a foreigner who has invested in projects in industry, trading, tourism, medicine, education or training or any other recognized project. The foreign investor's share must be worth not less than BD. 100,000/- (one hundred thousand dinars) [C$288,900 (XE 22 May 2014e)].
- The applicant and his dependants must have health insurance.
- The applicant must present a Good Conduct Certificate.
- The applicant must have a Bank Deposit Certificate for not less than BD. 15,000/- (fifteen thousand dinars) [C$43,335 (XE 22 May 2014c)] in the name of the applicant in one of the banks or financial institutions that has a working licence in the kingdom.
- The applicant must have a regular income of not less than BD 500/- (five hundred dinars) [C$1444 (XE 22 May 2014d)] per month, to cover his living expenses.
- The applicant must not work for the public or private sector in Bahrain.
In the case of cancellation of the Self Sponsorship Residence Permit, the applicant will be given an extension period not exceeding three month[s]. (Bahrain n.d.a)
The website also indicates that the applicant must include the following documents:
- Copy of Health Insurance Certificate
- Copy of Bank Deposit Certificate
- Documentary evidence of regular income
- Good Conduct Certificate
- CPR Card or Temporary CPR Certificate
- Copy of Passport
- Service Certificate (for Retired Application)
- Lease Agreement (for Retired Applicants and Investors) ["as a proof of [the applicant's] stay in Bahrain." It could also be an ownership certificate for a property in Bahrain (Bahrain 26 June 2014).]
- Copy of Deed of Ownership (for Property Owners or Mortgage Agreement)
- Partner's Proof of Capital Investment (Investor). (ibid.)
The website of Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs indicates that the applicant "must attend in person or through his legal representative" to obtain the permit and the fee to be paid is 202 Bahrain Dinars (ibid. n.d.b) or C$584 (XE 22 May 2014f).
In correspondence with the Research Directorate, an official from the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs of Bahrain's Ministry of the Interior indicated that the self-sponsorship visa for retirees is opened to all nationalities (Bahrain 26 June 2014). The official also indicated that the self-sponsorship visa is valid for two years and that it is consider cancelled if not renewed by its expiry date (ibid.). He said that the self-sponsorship visa is renewable within six months of its expiry date (ibid.). He further indicated that holders of this type of visa "are eligible to access public education, health care and other public services" (ibid.).
Further information on requirements and procedures for foreigners to sponsor themselves for residency permits, including information on cross-border mobility, could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Bahrain. 26 June 2014. Ministry of the Interior. Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs. Correspondence from an official to the Research Directorate.
Bahrain. N.d.a. Ministry of the Interior. Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs. "Conditions and Terms." [Accessed 22 May 2014]
Bahrain. N.d.b. Ministry of the Interior. Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs. "Self Sponsorship Residence Permit." [Accessed 22 May 2014]
XE. 22 May 2014a. "Currency Converter." [Accessed 22 May 2014]
XE. 22 May 2014b. "Currency Converter." [Accessed 22 May 2014]
XE. 22 May 2014c. "Currency Converter." [Accessed 22 May 2014]
XE. 22 May 2014d. "Currency Converter." [Accessed 22 May 2014]
XE. 22 May 2014e. "Currency Converter." [Accessed 22 May 2014]
XE. 22 May 2014f. "Currency Converter." [Accessed 22 May 2014]
Additional Sources Consulted
Oral sources: Attempts to contact seven immigration lawyers based in Bahrain were unsuccessful within the time constraints of this Response.
The following could not provide information within the time constraints of this Response: Embassy of Bahrain, Washington; Embassy of Bahrain, UK; Karamati Clearing Services; lawyer in Bahrain
Two immigration lawyers based in Bahrain could not provide information.
Internet sites, including: Bahrain – Labour Market Regulatory Authority, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of the Interior; Bahrain News Agency; Bloomberg, Shura Council; BBC; ecoi.net; Factiva; Hello Bahrain; Lexadin; Middle East Online; Oman Economic Review; Tamkeen; UK – Foreign and Commonwealth Office; US – Department of State, Department of Treasury.