Bahrain eases Golden Visa requirements, cuts investment threshold by 35pc

MANAMA: Bahrain has announced a significant relaxation of its Golden Visa rules, offering welcome news for foreign investors and expatriates seeking long-term residency in the kingdom.

According to the National Citizenship, Passports and Residence Affairs department under the Interior Ministry, the minimum property investment requirement has been lowered from 200,000 Bahraini dinars to 130,000, a reduction of 35 per cent. For Pakistan, this translates into a reduction from nearly Rs 150 million to Rs 97 million, approximately.

With this change, individuals who currently own real estate worth at least 130,000 dinars automatically qualify to apply for the Golden Residence Visa. The program is open to several categories, including real estate investors, skilled professionals earning a minimum monthly salary of 2,000 dinars, and retirees who have worked in Bahrain for at least 15 years. Non-resident retirees receiving a pension of 4,000 dinars or more can also take advantage of the scheme.

Applicants are required to submit their requests through the ministry’s online portal, along with essential documents such as a valid passport, a six-month bank statement, health insurance, and proof of residence. The application fee remains modest at just 5 dinars.

The government says the policy change aims to attract talent, investment, and long-term economic contributors to the country. Golden Visa holders benefit from extended residency rights and the freedom to work across all sectors in Bahrain, a key incentive expected to draw more professionals and investors to the kingdom.