Bahrain•Asia

Open

Dependants Residency Permit (Spouse)

Residency Pathway Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

3-7 days

Application Fee

95 BHD

Stay Duration

1-2 years

Renewable

Yes

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Remote Work

Not Required

Overview

Residence permit for the spouse of a work visa holder in Bahrain, requiring the sponsor to earn minimum BHD 400 monthly.

The Dependants Residency Permit (Spouse) is a specialized residence permit that allows the spouse of a foreign worker residing in Bahrain to join them and live in the Kingdom. This permit is essential for maintaining family unity for expatriate professionals working in the country. The process is managed through the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) and requires the sponsoring employee to meet specific financial thresholds to ensure they can adequately support their family members during their stay in Bahrain.

This permit is tied to the validity of the sponsoring employee's work permit. Applicants must provide official documentation, such as an attested marriage certificate, to verify their relationship. Once granted, the spouse is legally permitted to reside in Bahrain for the duration of the sponsor's employment. It is a formal residency status that requires adherence to Bahraini immigration laws, and any changes in the sponsor's employment status may affect the validity of the dependent's residency permit.

Fee Breakdown

Service fee	90 BHD
Admin fee	5 BHD

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Bahrain

Registered Worker Permit

Validity2 years

ProcessingVaries

View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Sponsor must be a foreign employee with a valid work permit and residency in Bahrain.

Sponsor must have a minimum monthly net income of BHD 400 (as per SIO records).

Sponsor must be registered in the LMRA system as an authorized person.

Marriage certificate must be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) if required.

Dependent must not hold a valid work permit.

Dependent must have a passport valid for at least 6 months (recommended 2 years).

KEY CRITERIA

Education

none or higher

Min. Income

4,800 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Copy of dependent's passport (including pages showing father/spouse name).

Attested marriage certificate (in Arabic or English).

Copy of sponsor's identity card.

Proof of sponsor's income (SIO records).

If the dependent is already in Bahrain, proof of valid current permit.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Allows the spouse to reside legally in Bahrain with the primary worker.
Provides long-term stability for families.
Can be renewed as long as the sponsor's work permit remains valid.
Allows the spouse to apply for a separate work permit if they wish to work.

Worth Knowing

Dependent cannot work without obtaining a separate work permit.
Sponsor's income must consistently meet the BHD 400 threshold.
Requires attestation of foreign documents, which can be time-consuming.
Dependent's residency is tied to the sponsor's employment status.

Application Process

Sponsor logs into the LMRA EMS (Expatriate Management System).

Navigate to 'New Work Permit' and select 'New Expatriate Permit'.

Select the dependent visa type for the spouse.

Enter required data and upload necessary documents.

Submit the application and pay the admin/service fees (BHD 95 total).

Track application status via the LMRA portal.

Once approved, print the residence permit via the National Portal or contact NPRA.

Ready to see if the Dependants Residency Permit (Spouse) is your path?

Let's check your eligibility against published requirements. 2 minutes. Free trial.

Check Eligibility