Obtain Citizenship in Bahrain

For foreigners seeking to obtain citizenship in Bahrain, there are various conditions to be met in accordance with the Citizenship Act. Clients can rely on our immigration specialists who can help them navigate the nationality requirements for a successful result.

What are the main ways to obtain citizenship in Bahrain?

1. by descent and by birth, which are the easiest ways;
2. by naturalization, which implies living in Bahrain for a long term;
3. by marriage that means meeting various conditions for the foreign spouse;
4. by royal decree, which is granted at the discretion of the King for exceptional merits or services.

How long do I have to live in Bahrain to be naturalized?

• 25 years if you come from a non-Arab country;
• 15 years if you come from an Arab country.

What are the documents required for the Bahraini citizenship application?

The following paperwork must be attached to your online application for Bahraini citizenship:

• a completed application for citizenship;
• a letter to His Majesty the King expressing your will to become a citizen of Bahrain;
• a document with your ID information in it;
• both the original and a duplicate of your current passport or any other travel authorization issued abroad;
• both a copy and the original of your birth certificate;
• the marriage certificate, both the original and a copy, if it was issued in Bahrain (if it was granted overseas, an affidavit from a Bahraini court should be included in your international marriage certificate);
• a record containing your wife’s and your kids’ identification information, if any;
• a document attesting to your ownership of land in Bahrain, issued by the Survey & Land Registration Bureau;
• a medical certificate;
• other documents specific to the reason for immigration to Bahrain.

The procedures for obtaining citizenship are also presented in the infographic below:

What is the simplest way to obtain citizenship in Bahrain?

It depends on your case, as each type of citizenship has its own requirements.

What is the fastest way to obtain Bahraini citizenship?

For women married to Bahraini men, citizenship can be obtained after 5 years of Bahraini residency and marriage. However, approval from the Ministry of Interior is required.

Are there any additional requirements to obtain citizenship in Bahrain, other than living ones?

Yes:

• the applicant must be fluent in Arabic, in both speaking and writing;
• the applicant must also own a property in Bahrain (there are investment programs that enable the purchase of properties);
• the applicant must have a clean criminal record and good moral character.

What are the steps to obtain citizenship in Bahrain?

• send a formal letter to the King expressing the will to become a Bahraini national;
• file the required documents to the Nationality, Passports & Residence Affairs (NPRA);
• wait for the background checks to be completed;
• passing the citizenship interview.

How long does it take for citizenship applications to be processed in Bahrain?

The procedure can span over longer periods of time, up to a few years, depending on the means of acquisition.

Does Bahrain acknowledge dual citizenship?

No, dual citizenship is not accepted in Bahrain. As such, you must renounce your other nationality once your application is accepted.

We also have a short video on this subject:

What does direct recognition of Bahraini nationality imply?

There are cases in which children of Bahraini citizens can have their nationalities recognized. These scenarios cover:

• children born outside Bahrain who have Bahraini fathers;
• children born in Bahrain or abroad from Bahraini mothers and unknown fathers or fathers they are not legally related to.

If you are in this situation and have immigration plans for Bahrain,you can get in touch with our lawyers for support with the relocation and citizenship recognition.

If you want to apply for citizenship in Bahrain and need assistance, our specialists can help, so don’t hesitate to contact them. We can also assist investors who want to open companies in Bahrain.