Comprehensive Bahrain Visa Process & FAQ - Work & Self sponsorship

Read the FAQ

Hi XTang,
We are thinking of relocating to Bahrain under the self-sponsorship visa (real estate investment). We are Canadian and currently living in Europe.

You've done an excellent job of capturing all the requirements and estimated timelines. It's much more comprehensive than what we can see on the e-visa portal. In our experience with relocating to Europe last year, there are always unforeseen things that come up, undocumented requirements, catch-22s, etc. Can you recommend an immigration specialist to help us with this? Are they able to conduct on our behalf parts of the process that require the applicant to be in-person?

Thank you

That's basically what I mentioned. In this part of the world, you don't have immigration consultants. You have governmental relations people who go and submit documents. Many things cannot be done on your behalf eg buying the property (title deed) process etc., and doing it though a POA will be a hassle plus I would not give a full POA to anyone I don't know or trust.  On top, this type of visa is designed to be applied by you on your own.... No agent can add any value and besides none of them know much about it.

The self sponsorship visa you can apply online nowadays. So that is not a problem.

I went through the self-sponsorship process recently myself. So I can testify that it is doable without a lawyer, consultant or even without knowing too much Arabic (although it certainly would have helped on some occasions 😅).

A second person from this forum is ready to start, and we're trying to exchange some info to help each other. You can DM me if you're interested.

Maybe in the future we can even give some feedback to XTang to improve the article.

Thanks for the update. Yes feedback would be appreciated..... Things here change pretty fast so some stuff may be out dated.

Hi X tang.

My visa application status showing as below and currently at LMRA status

Application in progress Authorized /employer to raise ticket at e-support: http://www.lmra.bh/esupport After 3 working days if status did not change (status: submitted).

Since last seven days status is same. I checked with employer and got response k it is in process.

Second I would like to ask k person can go to KSA on bahraini employment visa

1) Read FAQ. Your sponsor is also telling you it's in process. Just be patient
2) No. You need to apply for a visa for Saudi

Hi. Can you tell me your visa finish or no?
Iam in same situation and till now the status in LMRA

It's takes too much time in LMRA, once it gets through from LMRA, other departments will take max 3, days.

Actually, for most people, NPRA takes the longest.

My visa status in lmra was need further investigation  the last 21 days  then yesterday it is changed  to submitted,
How long will it take to finish?

Read the first page of this post.

Yes i already read it, i have to wait i know.. But it take 21 days before any status i thought it will be finish

If you read it then as I said, it takes around 4 weeks but in some cases it may take much longer.  No one can predict as to when it will be done.

Armitage7 wrote:

I went through the self-sponsorship process recently myself. So I can testify that it is doable without a lawyer, consultant or even without knowing too much Arabic (although it certainly would have helped on some occasions 😅).

A second person from this forum is ready to start, and we're trying to exchange some info to help each other. You can DM me if you're interested.

Maybe in the future we can even give some feedback to XTang to improve the article.

Congratulation mate

tell us about the processes , was it smooth and easy? 
how long it take to get security check clearance,,and what are important thing we have to consider before starting to avoid any hustle ?

Thanks and best regards

Thanks for the comprehensive info.

I want to ask after we get the visa do we need to submit proof of income every 6 months
or just at the time of renewal ?

regards

Hosam82 wrote:

Thanks for the comprehensive info.

I want to ask after we get the visa do we need to submit proof of income every 6 months
or just at the time of renewal ?

regards

Just at the time of renewal.

Hosam82 wrote:

Armitage7 wrote:

I went through the self-sponsorship process recently myself. So I can testify that it is doable without a lawyer, consultant or even without knowing too much Arabic (although it certainly would have helped on some occasions 😅).

A second person from this forum is ready to start, and we're trying to exchange some info to help each other. You can DM me if you're interested.

Maybe in the future we can even give some feedback to XTang to improve the article.

Congratulation mate

tell us about the processes , was it smooth and easy? 
how long it take to get security check clearance,,and what are important thing we have to consider before starting to avoid any hustle ?

Thanks and best regards

For me it was smooth.   The security clearance is when buying the property.  For most people, it takes a month or two.  Then the visa approval also takes the same time.   But it can get delayed for some.

XTang wrote:

Hosam82 wrote:

Armitage7 wrote:

I went through the self-sponsorship process recently myself. So I can testify that it is doable without a lawyer, consultant or even without knowing too much Arabic (although it certainly would have helped on some occasions 😅).

A second person from this forum is ready to start, and we're trying to exchange some info to help each other. You can DM me if you're interested.

Maybe in the future we can even give some feedback to XTang to improve the article.

Congratulation mate

tell us about the processes , was it smooth and easy? 
how long it take to get security check clearance,,and what are important thing we have to consider before starting to avoid any hustle ?

Thanks and best regards

For me it was smooth.   The security clearance is when buying the property.  For most people, it takes a month or two.  Then the visa approval also takes the same time.   But it can get delayed for some.

sounds great ,thanks

I read in bahrain egov, website this requirement is it still in place :

Certificate from the Bank confirming that the applicant has a fixed deposit of no less than BD 15,000 in one of the Kingdom's financial institutions. The applicant must resubmit the certificate every 6 months.

https://www.bahrain.bh/wps/portal/!ut/p … BIS9nQSEh/

My friend, what I suggest is that you go to the very first page of this post, scroll down and see the section in red called "Self Sponsorship Visa" carefully.  I have listed the entire process step by step which will address practically all of the questions that you are asking here and on other threads.

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=750635

As an example, this is what I already said "The documents are listed on the NPRA site as per link above.  Point to note is that they dropped the requirement for the 15,000 BHD bank deposit which is a welcome step".

ok my friend

I appreciate you effort

Thanks

I wish to resign before my 2 year contract ends.

I signed my contract on November 2021 and I've heard that there is a new law from LMRA that states that we must finish our contract in order for us to be able to transfer to another company. But I've also heard that this only applies to those who have signed the contract this year only. I am also afraid that my current employee will not release me because they sponsored by visa and ticket to come here and work for their company. Any advice?

For anyone also who does have an idea for where I can be trained as a dialysis nurse,please send me a direct message. I would really appreciate it.

Thank you and God bless.

- @Velele

@XTang do you know of any way to obtain a residency visa without a title deed? I've been told by numerous individuals that it's possible but nobody appears to know how exactly.

Having purchased a property above 50k BHD in Dulmunia I am trying to obtain a self-sponsorship residency visa using the sales purchase agreement - the developer informs me that the title deed won't be ready for at least another year.

Greatly appreciate any advice here. TIA

Try with the SPA but as far as I know, SS section will ask for title deed.

@XTang ok thanks

@XTang hi I have a question,  my employer hasn't paid the monthly fees for my visa since past 8 months and it's showing subject to work permit cancellation status. My visa still has 4 months validity but will it expire before that due to the monthly fees not being paid?

After a certain time of unpaid monthly fees, all visas on a CR get cancelled.  I am surprised that 8 months have passed without any action being taken by LMRA.

Hi,

a quick question: apparently no more physical stickers will be placed in the passport for residence permits. As I need proof of my residency in Bahrain for matters back home in Europe I was wondering what the best way would be to get a somewhat official document showing my residence status and where to get it.

Any ideas folks?

Go to bahrain.bh and download the digital residence permit.  It comes with a QR code which directly verifies it on the NPRA site.

There is a offence on my CPR, when I apply for visa in lamar, there is a under offence in the system, please tell me what is the solution

No one can tell you.  Find out from LMRA what the offence is to begin with.

Good say Xtang, I went through your stick and I have a question . My visa process on LMRA says expired investor visa and this is my first time applying . I am in Bahrain on multiple entry training visa which expired and I did 1 month extension . Please advise what could be the problem and what can I do

My 1 month extension is still valid till March by the way

Check in EMS if visa has been sent back.

Thanks for your Swift response @Xtang, you mean visa extension or investor visa please

I mean the Ems

EMS is the LMRA system in which you apply for the investor visa.

Oh alright , will check