Investment — Middle East

🇧🇭Bahrain

Golden Residency Visa

Last verified · 19 July 2026

10-year GCC residence with multiple qualifying tracks — property, employment, retirement or talent.

Duration

10 years, renewable

Threshold

Property share ≥ BHD 130,000 (~$345k); or 5 years' Bahrain employment at basic salary ≥ BHD 2,000/mo; or resident retiree (15+ years worked, pension ≥ BHD 2,000/mo); or non-resident retiree (pension ≥ BHD 4,000/mo, ~$10,600); or exceptional-talent nomination

Application fee

BHD 5 application + BHD 300 issuance

Path to PR

Residence only — no naturalisation path (as with all GCC programmes).

Tax treatment

No personal income tax; no capital gains tax.

Family

Spouse, children and parents includable; sponsorship limited to immediate family.

Required documents

·Title deed(s) meeting the BHD 130k threshold (combinable across properties)
·SIO-insured salary certificates or pension statements
·Passport, medical certificate and background check

Things to know

·Multiple properties may be combined to reach the BHD 130k threshold.
·Salary pathway counts basic salary only — bonuses and allowances excluded; a new work permit is still required when the existing one expires.
·A lighter Self-Sponsorship Residence Permit (2/5/10 years) exists from BHD 100k company investment + BHD 500/mo income.

Apostille & legalization

Apostille route

Apostille only — both United States and Bahrain are parties to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention.

Documents that must be apostilled

·Police / criminal-record clearance
·Medical certificate

Bank statements, employment contracts, photos, passport copies and the application form itself do not need an apostille.

Obtain originals or certified copies of each civil/criminal record (birth certificate, marriage certificate, police clearance, diploma, etc.).
Have each document apostilled by the competent authority in United States (U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications).
Translate the apostilled document into the official language of Bahrain — the apostille itself is also translated.
Submit the apostilled + translated bundle directly to the Bahrain immigration authority or consulate; no further consular stamp is required.

Translation: Most documents must be translated into the local language by a certified translator. Agency translations are usually accepted.

Issuing authority in United States: U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications

Documents older than 3–6 months are often rejected. Plan to obtain fresh originals shortly before your visa application.

Official immigration portal

Last verified 19 July 2026 — reconfirm on the official portal before applying.