Middle East Immigration News Flash 60/2018

Validity of Residence Permits under Personal Sponsorship Extended

Dubai, UAE, July 17, 2018:  The Ministry of Interior has issued a decision extending the validity of residence permits under personal sponsorship in Bahrain for up to five or ten years.   

The Ministry of Interior has issued a decision extending the validity of residence permits under personal sponsorship in Bahrain for up to five or ten years. Previously, such a visa was issued with a maximum validity of two years. 

The government fee for the two-year residence permit under the personal sponsorship program remains the same (BHD 200); the five-year permit costs BHD 400; and the ten-year permit is BHD 600. 

Background

Foreign nationals in Bahrain can obtain a residence permit through personal sponsorship under the following circumstances: 

• If a foreign national has worked in private or government sector in Bahrain or in another Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country for at least 15 years; or
• If a foreign national owns real estate in Bahrain with a minimum value of BHD 50,000; or
• If a foreign national invests in a business in one of the approved sectors in Bahrain, with a minimum share of BHD 100,000. 

How Fragomen can assist? 

Fragomen can assist with the application process for residence permits under personal sponsorship.

We will continue monitoring the situation and will revert with additional information as developments occur.