Bahrain Visa Rules and Expat Life Guide

Relocating to Bahrain can be a fascinating experience to any professional, yet its visa regulations and system of obtaining residency have to be approached with care. According to recent Travel Updates, visa laws in Bahrain are based on the nationality and reason behind your visit, most visitors staying longer are required to have a local sponsor, who can be an employer in order to do the paper work and issue of residence permits. The process will be well-organized and effective due to the efficient eVisa system and numerous permit options of Bahrain offered by expats. After arriving in the country, it is necessary to have a CPR (Central Population Registry) ID card which plays a vital role in the normal day business processes like renting an apartment, opening a bank account, or obtaining a phone contract.

Visa and Residency Rules

• Sponsorship: A majority of long-term accommodation in Bahrain has to be sponsored by a company or individual. Sponsors deal with residence permits, health insurance and legal documents.
• Standard Work Visa: An employment contract, a valid passport and supporting documents would be required to work legally. The visa is processed and sponsored by the employer.
• Residence Permit: This permit is required by all long-term residents as it permits them to work and reside legally in Bahrain upon issuance.
• Flexi Permit: The Flexi Permit is created to give people who do not have any connections to a single employer the opportunity to live and work as a freelancer within a period of two years.
• Golden Visa: A 10-year renewable visa is provided to investors, professionals, and persons possessing substantial financial or artistic qualification.
• eVisa or Visa on Arrival: Nationals of the eligible countries may apply online or obtain a visa upon arrival to make short-term visits and tourism.

Life as an Expat in Bahrain

• Accommodation: The majority of expatriates lease themselves houses because foreigners have few rights to own property. Options include contemporary apartments in the city or large villas in residential estates, usually taken care of by the employer or real estate agents.
• CPR ID Card: CPR card is essential in everyday life and is given on medical examination and fingerprinting. Banking, housing and telecom services are obligatory.
• Employment and Legal Rules: Employers are not legally allowed to retain the passports of their employees and expats are not supposed to work under any other employer but his officially sponsored employer.
• Tax and Cost of Living: Bahrain also has a tax free income which neutralizes its average high cost of living in comparison to India or Southeast Asia.
• Daily Essentials: Since renting houses to installing mobile services, all this is based on your CPR card, and it is the key to an easy time as an expat.