A Bahrain family visa lets an expatriate employee or investor sponsor their spouse and children up to age 24. The employer applies to the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA); the sponsor's net monthly salary must be at least BHD 400, the LMRA fee is BHD 90 per application, and LMRA lists 3 working days for processing.
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Bahrain issues family residence permits through two authorities. LMRA handles the spouse and children up to 24 of an expatriate employee or investor. NPRA handles parents and children over 24.
| Family member | Who issues the permit | Main condition |
|---|---|---|
| Wife or husband | LMRA. The employer applies in the Expat Management System (EMS) | Sponsor's net monthly salary BHD 400 or more, as registered with the Social Insurance Organization (SIO) |
| Children up to 24 | LMRA. The employer applies in EMS | The same BHD 400 salary rule, and an attested birth certificate |
| Children over 24, father, mother | NPRA | Sponsor's monthly income BHD 1,000 or more; the applicant must be inside Bahrain; holders may not work without a work permit |
Investors named on a Bahrain company's CR sponsor their family the same way once their own investor visa is issued. See the Bahrain investor visa.
These are LMRA's conditions for a spouse or child permit. We check each one before anything is filed.
LMRA asks for these documents for each family member.
Documents in other languages need a translation into Arabic or English. Fahdan arranges attestation and translation for you as part of our document clearance in Bahrain.
These are the official LMRA fees for family permits.
| Item | Official fee (LMRA) |
|---|---|
| New or renewal permit for accompanying family dependants | BHD 90 per application |
| Admin fee | BHD 5 |
| Work approval for a dependant who wants to work (optional) | BHD 195 for one year, or BHD 390 for two years (new) |
Health insurance is extra and priced by the insurer. Fees as listed by LMRA on its commercial services fees page (updated 31 December 2025); LMRA can change them.
LMRA lists 3 working days for its own step and 7 working days for cooperating entities (NPRA and the Information & eGovernment Authority). After approval, the residence permit is printed through Bahrain's National Portal (bahrain.bh).
The application runs through LMRA's Expat Management System (EMS). These are the steps from LMRA's spouse permit and children permit services.
Family permits are renewed together with the main permit and cost the same BHD 90 per application. LMRA one- and two-year permits can be renewed from six months before expiry while the current permit is valid.
Keep passports and health insurance valid for the full new period. Investors: keep the company's CR active, because the family permits depend on it. Read more on renewing a Bahrain residence permit.
Fahdan's PRO team checks documents, arranges attestation and translation, files the application with LMRA or NPRA, follows it to approval and tracks every renewal date for the whole family. You only attend in person where the rules require it.
Family permits are part of our PRO services in Bahrain. Founders can combine them with company formation and the investor visa, so one team handles your CR, your permit and your family's permits.
Book Free ConsultationQuick answers to common questions about sponsoring your family in Bahrain.
BHD 400 net per month, as registered with the Social Insurance Organization, for a spouse and children up to 24 through LMRA. Parents and children over 24 go through NPRA, which asks for BHD 1,000 monthly income.
LMRA charges BHD 90 per application for a new or renewed dependant permit, plus a BHD 5 admin fee. Health insurance is extra.
LMRA lists 3 working days for its step and 7 working days for cooperating government entities.
Yes, through NPRA, not LMRA. The applicant must be in Bahrain, each person applies separately, and the sponsor must show at least BHD 1,000 monthly income.
Only with a work approval for dependants from LMRA: BHD 195 for one year or BHD 390 for two years.
Yes. Partners and shareholders on a Bahrain CR get the investor visa first, then sponsor their spouse and children through LMRA.
Last reviewed October 2026 against guidance published by LMRA and NPRA. Requirements change, so we confirm the current rules before filing.