It is a long-term, renewable 10-year visa designed to help foreign investors, professionals, and long-term employees settle in Bahrain. It allows you to reside in the country without a traditional sponsor, provides unlimited entry and exit privileges, and gives you the right to sponsor your spouse, children, and parents.
Eligibility is not automatic and requires applicants to fall into one of four specific categories:
Property Owners: Must own real estate in Bahrain valued at a minimum of BHD 130,000.
Long-Term Residents: Must have lived in Bahrain for over 5 years with an average basic salary exceeding BHD 2,000 per month.
Retirees: Resident retirees need 15 years of prior employment in Bahrain and a minimum pension of BHD 2,000. Non-resident retirees must demonstrate a pension of at least BHD 4,000.
Talented Professionals: Must meet specialized criteria for highly skilled or talented fields.
No. There is a strict legal separation between the right to reside and the right to work. While the visa grants residency, Bahraini law dictates that no foreign worker may begin employment without a specific work permit issued by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA). Employers must apply for and receive this designated permit before a Golden Visa holder can assume any duties.
Because the Golden Residency is often marketed as offering greater freedom, some individuals mistakenly bypass the required work permits. Employing a Golden Residency holder without an official LMRA permit violates Decision No. (20) of 2022. It exposes the employer to financial fines and administrative actions, such as the suspension of their LMRA services, and can seriously compromise the worker's legal residency status.