The Process for Getting Bahraini Citizenship

Bahrain is a popular country among expats — the country is often referred to as the second Dubai because of its hot climate and high standard of living. It’s a popular location among foreign investors because there is no tax on income, sales, or capital gains unless the taxpayer is an oil and gas company. However, it is not easy to become a citizen of Bahrain. Read on to find out how to get a Bahraini passport.

• Types of Residence Permits in Bahrain
• How to Get Bahraini Citizenship by Investment
• Required Documents for Citizenship
• Dual Citizenship in Bahrain
• Losing Bahraini Citizens

Types of Residence Permits in Bahrain

Bahrain does not offer permanent residency, but you can stay in the country on various types of temporary residence permits or become a citizen. 

Bahrain adopted its Nationality Law in September 1963. This law governs the citizenship granting process. For many cases listed below this date is a dividing point on which the programme requirements depend. Bahraini Nationality Law also states that the country does not recognise dual citizenship, with rare exceptions.

Let's look at the main routes to Bahraini citizenship.

Citizenship by Birth. Children born in Bahrain to a Bahraini father after September 16, 1963, automatically become citizens of Bahrain. Children born in Bahrain cannot have or apply for citizenship of another country. The good news is that, since the adoption of the Nationality Law in 1963, all children born in Bahrain can become Bahraini citizens, regardless of the citizenship of their parents.

Citizenship by Descent. This route applies if you were born outside Bahrain, but your father or your paternal grandfather is or was a citizen of Bahrain.   

Citizenship by Marriage. This route only applies to women. Men married to Bahraini women are not eligible for a Bahraini passport by marriage.

A woman married to a citizen of Bahrain can get a local passport if she renounces any other citizenship, which can be a tough decision as the Bahraini passport gives visa-free access to only 87 countries. As an exception, a woman can apply to keep her original citizenship, but all such cases are processed individually without a guarantee of approval. In the case of divorce, the woman can usually keep her Bahraini citizenship. 

Citizenship by Naturalisation. Bahrain has rather strict requirements for naturalisation candidates. For instance, you must live legally in Bahrain for 25 years before applying for citizenship. If you are of Arab origin, 15 years is enough. There are some other requirements for those who wish to naturalise in the country. Some of the conditions proposed by the government may seem quite unusual. 

• You must speak Arabic well;
• You must own a property registered in your name;
• You must prove you do not have any mental health conditions;
• You must have enough money to support your life in Bahrain;
• You must be of good character. 

The wife and children of a naturalised man also become Bahraini citizens.

How to Get Bahraini Citizenship by Investment

First of all, expats wishing to become citizens of Bahrain must obtain a temporary residence permit and then naturalise in the country. You can apply for a residence permit if you have spent at least 50,000 Bahraini dinar on buying property ($132,630). However, there are other ways to get a temporary residence permit in Bahrain.

• You can land a job in a Bahraini company and move here on a work visa.
• You may be related to a Bahraini citizen.
• You can start a business in Bahrain.

Bahrain launched the Golden Visa programme for wealthy expats in early 2022. This type of visa is granted for 10 years and allows the applicant and their family to live and work in Bahrain within this time. The visa can be extended after 10 years. You are eligible for the Golden Visa if

• you own properties in Bahrain worth at least 200,000 Bahraini dinars ($530,530);
• you have been earning more than 2000 dinars ($5305) a month for the past five years;
• you are a retired person with confirmed income of at least 4000 dinars ($10,610);
• you are an exceptionally gifted person and can confirm this.

Regardless of the type of residence permit you have, you will still need to live in the country for 25 years to naturalise. After that, you can apply for citizenship.

Required Documents for Citizenship

To apply for Bahraini citizenship online, you must attach the following documents:

• A completed citizenship application form;
• A letter addressed to His Majesty the King, stating your desire to obtain Bahraini citizenship;
• A document containing your ID data;
• The original and a copy of your valid passport or other travel document issued in another country;
• The original and a copy of your birth certificate;
• The original and a copy of the marriage certificate if it was issued in Bahrain. If it was issued abroad, attach an affidavit from a court in Bahrain along with your foreign marriage certificate;
• A document with the ID data of your wife and children (if applicable);
• If your name is written in the passport in a dual or triple form, you must provide a certificate from your embassy confirming your full name is authentic;
• A certificate from the Survey & Land Registration Bureau that confirms you own property in Bahrain;
• A medical certificate;
• A certificate from the Commercial Registration office stating your business activity (if applicable);
• All your education certificates or a letter from the Ministry of Education and a copy of this letter;
• The originals and copies of all your residence permits to confirm your continuous stay in the country;
• An employment certificate from your workplace and the Social Insurance Organisation, stating your job, salary, and employment date. This certificate must be no more than three months old before the date of your application;

Dual Citizenship in Bahrain

The Government of Bahrain does not recognise dual citizenship, so you will need to renounce your previous citizenship when applying for the Bahraini one. However, there are some exceptions for foreign women married to Bahraini citizens.

Losing Bahraini Citizenship 

In some cases, you may lose your Bahraini citizenship. This can happen if you have obtained citizenship on false grounds or have committed a criminal offence. You may also renounce your Bahraini citizenship voluntarily. In this case, contact the nearest embassy to initiate the process.

In a Nutshell

Getting Bahraini citizenship is a tough task and the effort, time, and money spent on obtaining a local passport may be in vain. The country's hot climate does appeal to tourists, and investors like it for its good tax policy, but the neighbouring United Arab Emirates may be more promising for the latter.

Cover photo:  Manama; Zach (stock.adobe)