How to set up your own company in Bahrain

So I have finally received my active CR, paid the capital in the bank.

I was advised that I need to go to LMRA in order to register my company and apply for my visa. Is that the correct step?

Additionally was trying to use the LMRA online system to register my company but it gave me error asking me to enter a CPR #. I do have CPR# which is the CPR paper can I use that number to register my company online?

Yes you need to register your company with LMRA.  Physically go there and do it.  The online portal registration is a hit and miss.

Thanks for the update.

I did go today and registered my company with LMRA and then went to their main office and applied for my investor visa.

I didn’t share my paper cpr number as that expired in Feb 2019. Hope that’s ok.

What’s the next step here?

Paper CPR is unnecessary now.

Once you get your visa, you need to get it stamped in your passport and get a proper CPR.  No other next step.

Thanks for the info.

Any idea how long does it take to get the approval from Immigration for the investor visa?

Varies. Anywhere from a week to a month.

As the visa is in process can I depart Bahrain?

No.

What happens if I depart? Does the application gets cancelled or is it put on hold?

Cancelled.

Thanks.

So once cancelled I need to re-apply with LMRA?

Yes

So visa got approved last week and I made the payment the same day as well. Now it says AWAIT IMMI for last 4 days.

Do I need to submit my finger prints in order for the application to move to the next step?

No.  Await IMM means that it has gone back to immigration for a final go ahead.  Once it passes that, you will be able to print the visa.  At that stage, you do the enrollment, stamping and then medical.

Thanks.

Any idea how long does the final approval takes?

Usually not more than 1 to 2 days.

Weird its been 6 business days since I made the payment and it still says AWAIT IMMI

That is strange...nothing to do except wait or try to follow up.

So i got an update today showing the following

Expired Investor Visa

"Application failed immigration checks, you may apply again for a different expat."

You had mentioned the similar issue happened to you as well.

Where should I go to find out what the issues is.

That is very strange i.e. visa rejected AFTER payment made.  Usually rejection from immigration happens before.

Go to NPRA office on exhibition road.   But be aware that if it is a security rejection, there is usually no way to overturn it.  Unless you have very high level contacts and an error or case of mistaken identity is there.

I found that to be weird as well.

I am living in Bahrain since 2016 under my multiple visa where I exit every 90 days to be compliant.

Secondly I realized today they messed up on my name as well. When I submitted my application and got the submission receipt it has all the correct info.

Looking at the payment receipt which was paid by the agent I see my first name last name (which is correct) and next to my last name it says VAR.

Have no idea where did the word VAR come from. I am guessing this is what the error is.

Who should I go and see at NPRA? Is there a specific office or just the regular counter?

Thanks

Without contacts, it is the regular counter.  I would go there, not take no for an answer and keep escalating till I meet a senior officer. The fact that you are an American, from your profile, should help

Thanks.

Have two questions.

So if there is an error that needs to be fixed will I need to reapply for the visa and go thru the whole process again?

Can I now travel outside Bahrain and once I return then pursue this matter again or will there will be issues for me to re enter because of this denial?

Depends. It could lead to applying again or it could be fixed there and then. Every case is different.

And there might be issues re-entering but again that depends on what the rejection was for.

Thanks and appreciate all the info.

Visited the NPRA office today and met the vetting officer and he advised the reason of denial, because I have a multiple exit entry visa hence the investor visa was cancelled. He said I have to cancel the multiple visa get a visit visa and then apply again thru the LMRA office and the investor visa fee will be credited. Which I found to be weird as I thought the multiple would cancel automatically.

So question, can I cancel the multiple visa and get a visit visa issued by visiting the NPRA or do I need to go thru an agent?

Ahh now it makes sense.    Did you have a multiple exit entry visa stamped into the passport for Bahrain? 

Depends on who issued it for you.  If you applied online yourself then you can go to NPRA and get it cancelled.  And then apply for the investor visa.   For visit visa, you have to leave to be able to apply and then enter on it.

Yes I have the multiple visa for Bahrain.

I got it issued thru an agent in 2016 and now he has moved out of the country.

The officer said once you cancel the multiple visa then a visit visa is issued right away he didn't say anything about leaving the country.

Looks like I might have to go thru an agent as this process seems a bit convoluted.

Any PRO you can recommend that is trust worthy?

Yeah you don't have to leave as once cancelled, you have a certain time to exit.  During which, you are without status and can get the investor visa issued.

On PROs, here are some links:

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=841333

Thanks.

So technically I dont need a visit visa while the investor visa is being processed.

Also can I travel now out of bahrain as my visa investor visa is denied?

Yes now you can.  Because the previous visa is still valid.

Hi there,

I‘m applying for my residence visa through an an agent while abroad.
Once the visa is approved and I‘m coming back to Bahrain, can I enter on the new residents visa at the airport or how is it handled?

Appreciate your thoughts.

You enter on the electronic print out of the new visa.  They take your finger prints, photo and signature and practically speaking, you get residence there and then.  You just need to get the electronic sticker later, do medical and get CPR.

thanks XTang for your excellent help, as always!

Hi
Please can someone enlighten me on the following I am currently employed and I want to open a cr for a salon business is this possible?

Yes. Read the thread properly. I have addressed this point. You will need an NOC from your sponsor.

I have setup my own company.  Registered with LMRA. I cancelled my visa from my ex employer and I applied my for investor visa.   
After three days I paid the fees. 
Yesterday checked with LMRA said it’s back to passport and nationality. 
Today I received email. Stating that offecnce  15  should be removed and link to appointment. 
What is this offence 15

It sounds like automatic enrolment offence.  Here is what I commented on another thread a few days ago - his visa came the next day.  This is pretty standard.  Just relax and wait a day or two (if you have been in Bahrain and have gone through the fingerprinting at the first visa time).

If I were to guess (and I could be wrong), it seems like a standard system generated enrollment offence.   Basically, when the visa is issued for most people, they are not in the country.  When they land, they do enrollment at the airport before entry.  For people who are already here, when the visa is issued, the system detects an automatic enrollment offence i.e. it hasn't been done and stops the issuance.  However, if you have already worked in Bahrain, you are already enrolled.  So what happens is that after a day or two, the system automatically carries over than information and the offence disappears.  So if it is that offence, it should disappear within a day or two and the status should change to waiting for payment.

Hi,

is there any minimum annual turnover a SPC needs to generate?
Couldn’t find my guideline on that.

I founded my SPC mainly for the option of becoming resident.
There are other sources of income from abroad, so I‘m financially not dependent, but I can put the company to use here and there on a couple of projects.

Just wanna make sure that I‘m not getting into trouble for not using the company enough.