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Residency by Investment (RBI) Programs

The Bahrain Golden Visa is officially called Golden Residency. It is a permanent residence issued by the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA), with a standard administrative fee due every 10 years. NPRA offers it to four groups: foreign property owners, retired non-residents with a qualifying pension, long-term resident employees and retirees, and talented individuals nominated by a government agency. Fahdan handles the application for you, from checking which route fits to preparing your documents and filing the request.

Want a residence tied to your own company instead? See our Bahrain investor visa service.

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Residency by Investment

What is Residency by Investment (RBI)?

In simple terms, RBI (often called a Self-Sponsored Visa) is a program that allows foreign nationals to live in Bahrain without needing a traditional employer to sponsor them.

Instead, your investment in the country — whether through property, business, or your own retirement savings — acts as your gateway to a permanent or long-term stay.

Bahrain Golden Visa: The 10-Year Golden Residency

Permanent Roots

The opportunity to live and thrive in Bahrain long-term with stability and security.

Family First

Bring your spouse, children, and even your parents under your residency benefits.

Seamless Travel

Enjoy multiple entries into Bahrain without the hassle of repeated visa applications.

Who Qualifies for Bahrain Golden Residency?

NPRA sets a different condition for each route. Every applicant also needs valid health insurance in Bahrain when the residency is issued.

RouteNPRA conditionMain documents
Property owner You own property in Bahrain above NPRA's minimum total value. We confirm the current threshold with you before we file. Property title deed, passport valid for more than 6 months, 6-month bank statement, Bahrain health insurance certificate, previous residence permit if you have one
Retired, living outside Bahrain You are retired, from any country, with a basic salary of at least BHD 4,000 Pension certificate showing at least BHD 4,000, passport, 6-month bank statement, Bahrain health insurance certificate, previous residence permit if you have one
Employee or retiree living in Bahrain At least 5 years of employment in Bahrain with an average salary of at least BHD 2,000 over the past 5 years, or retirement in Bahrain after 15 years or more of service with an average pension above BHD 2,000 over the last five years Salary certificate (minimum BHD 2,000), passport, 6-month bank statement, Bahrain health insurance certificate, previous residence permit if you have one
Talented individual You are nominated by a government agency in fields such as academics, sport, entrepreneurship, invention, or as an award-winning artist or author Talent certificate, passport, 6-month bank statement, Bahrain health insurance certificate, previous residence permit if you have one

NPRA may ask for additional documents in your case, so we check your file against NPRA's current list before filing. Business owners who want a permit linked to their company should look at the Bahrain investor visa. Early-stage founders can also see our business incubation programs.

How to Apply for the Bahrain Golden Visa: Steps and Timeline

  1. Choose your route. Fahdan checks your property, income, retirement or talent profile against NPRA's conditions and tells you which route fits.
  2. Prepare the documents. We collect and check the list for your route, including the 6-month bank statement and your Bahrain health insurance certificate.
  3. File the request. The request is filed online through the Bahrain government eServices, with the documents attached. NPRA charges a BHD 5 application fee, which is not refundable.
  4. Pay the residency fee after approval. The Golden Residency fee is BHD 300 for the 10-year residence. For resident employees and retirees, NPRA cancels the application if payment is not made within 30 days of approval, so we remind you early.
  5. Add your family and your work permit if needed. Your spouse, children and parents can be included. If you want to work as an employee, LMRA has a separate work permit for Golden Residency holders. Investors who are partners in their own company do not need it.

Timeline: The official processing time is 5 working days for property owners, retired non-residents and resident employees and retirees, and 10 working days for talented individuals, once the application is complete. The more complete your documents are at the start, the faster the request moves, which is why we prepare the file first. Fahdan's flat service charge is shown in the cost section below.

Golden Residency holders can also work in Bahrain, with the LMRA work permit in step 5 if they work as an employee. Need help with the other permits around it? Our PRO services team handles residence permits, family sponsorship and document attestation, and our company formation in Bahrain team can set up your company if you plan to start one.

Residency by Investment

The Three Paths to Your
Bahraini Residency

Fahdan Business Solutions specializes in residency pathways for property owners, investors, and retirees seeking long-term opportunities in Bahrain.

For Property Owners

If you’ve invested in Bahrain’s real estate market, the Kingdom welcomes you.

  • The Key Requirement: You must own property (or multiple properties) in Bahrain with a total value of at least BHD 130,000.
  • What you’ll need: Your property deeds, a clear passport copy, 6 months of bank statements, and a health insurance certificate.

For Investors

Are you a business owner or a shareholder in a Bahraini company? This path is designed for those driving the economy forward.

  • The Key Requirement: Active investment and proof of your role in a local company.
  • What you’ll need: Your Commercial Registration (CR) extract, a salary certificate, and the standard health and bank documents.

For Retirees

Looking for a peaceful, tax-friendly place to enjoy your golden years? Bahrain is a top choice for global retirees.

  • The Key Requirement: Proof of retirement and a steady income to support your stay.
  • What you’ll need: A retirement certificate and a salary/pension certificate along with your local EWA (utility) bill.
Residency by Investment

Breaking Down
the Costs

One of the biggest advantages of the Bahraini RBI program is the transparent fee structure. Unlike many programs that cost hundreds of thousands in fees, Bahrain remains highly competitive:

2 Years
204 BHD

Ideal for individuals seeking a short-term residency pathway with flexibility.

Most Popular
5 Years
404 BHD

A balanced long-term residency option for investors and families.

10 Years
604 BHD

A 10-year self-sponsored residence permit for long-term residency and stability.

Fahdan Note

Our professional service charge is a flat 100 BHD. We handle the complete process and personalised logistics so that you don’t have to.

Close-up of a hand typing on a computer keyboard at a desk

Why Choose Fahdan for Your Residency?

With over 17 years of experience, Fahdan Group isn't just a consultancy; we are your "One-Stop Shop." We understand that rules and regulations in the travel and residency industry change frequently. Our experts maintain up-to-date knowledge to ensure your application isn't just submitted, but approved. We take the stress out of the "Good Conduct Certificate" and "EWA" requirements, adopting the most secure options to get your visa on time.

Residency FAQ

Residency by Investment in Bahrain: Your Questions

Short answers on the Bahrain Golden Visa, who qualifies, the documents, the timeline and your family.

There are three paths. Property owners need property in Bahrain with a total value of at least BHD 130,000. Investors are business owners or shareholders in a Bahraini company and need proof of their role in it. Retirees need proof of retirement and a steady income. Fahdan checks which path fits you before we start.

Your property deeds, a clear passport copy, 6 months of bank statements and a health insurance certificate.

Your Commercial Registration (CR) extract, a salary certificate, and the standard health and bank documents. If you are setting up the company now, see our investor visa service.

Yes. You need proof of retirement and a steady income to support your stay: a retirement certificate, a salary or pension certificate and a local EWA (utility) bill. For a retiree living outside Bahrain, NPRA sets a basic salary of at least BHD 4,000. For a retiree already living in Bahrain, it asks for 15 years or more of service there and an average pension above BHD 2,000 over the last five years.

The Bahrain Golden Visa is the common name for Golden Residency, a permanent residence issued by the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA) with a standard administrative fee due every 10 years. NPRA offers it to foreign property owners, retired non-residents with a qualifying pension, long-term resident employees and retirees, and talented individuals nominated by a government agency. Fahdan handles the application for you.

The official processing time is 5 working days for property owners, retired non-residents and resident employees and retirees, and 10 working days for talented individuals, once the application is complete. We prepare and check your documents first so the file is complete when it is filed.

Yes. NPRA describes Golden Residency as covering you and your family: your spouse, children and parents. We check the documents for each family member with you before we file.

The investor visa is a work and residence permit issued by LMRA and tied to your shareholding in a Bahrain company, renewed every six months, one year or two years. Golden Residency is a permanent residence issued by NPRA, based on property, income, retirement or talent. You can hold Golden Residency and still run your own company. See our Bahrain investor visa page.

Start Your Journey

Ready to Make the Move?

The Kingdom of Bahrain offers a world-class lifestyle, a strategic location in the Middle East, and a welcoming community. Don’t let paperwork stand in the way of your future.
Contact Fahdan Business Solutions today to begin your application for the 10-Year Golden Visa.

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