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Bahrain Family Visa - How To Get Yours

Last Updated : 07-Nov-2023

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30-Second Summary

Family members who wish to join their family in Bahrain can apply for a Bahrain family visa.

    The family member you’re joining in Bahrain must have a valid work visa.

    The employer of your family member in Bahrain must apply for the visa on your behalf.

    Your family member must have a monthly income of at least BHD 400.

    You’re not allowed to work in Bahrain on a family visa.

*Atlys does not provide this visa.

Important Information

Is A Visa Required?

Yes, you need a family visa if you want to join a family member in Bahrain.

Bahrain Visa Cost

The visa fee is BHD 90.

Bahrain Family Visa Processing Time

The processing time is between 10-12 business days.

What Is The Bahrain Family Visa?

The Bahrain Family Visa, also known as the Dependant Residency Permit, is a type of visa that allows foreign nationals to bring their immediate family members to Bahrain for the purpose of family reunification. This visa is typically issued to expatriates who are residing or working in Bahrain and wish to bring their spouse, children, and, in some cases, other dependent family members to join them in the country.

Who Can Get A Bahrain Family Visa?

You can get a family visa for Bahrain if you’re an immediate family member of the person working or residing in Bahrain. However, you can not apply for this visa yourself. Your immediate family member in Bahrain must ask their employer to apply on your behalf. This makes the family visa a sponsored visa.

What Are The Bahrain Dependant Visa Requirements?

To be eligible for a dependent visa (family visa) there are certain special conditions you, your family member, and the sponsor must meet. The special conditions include the following:

    The applicant should be registered in the system as a responsible or authorized in LMRA on the respective Unit or CR.

    The expatriate employee's monthly income must be BHD 400 or more.

    In case the employee's family members are already in Bahrain on a visit or any other type of visa, the visa must be valid.

    In case the employee's dependants are over the age of 24 years, the procedure of issuing the residence permit and renewing is directly through the Nationality Passports and Residency Affairs (NPRA), depending on the conditions and regulations of the department.

    Dependants holding a previous personal number should fill in the same number in the personal number field when applying for the residency permit.

    For those born in the Kingdom of Bahrain or those issued with a new passport in the kingdom of Bahrain, they should first open a new file (or update the data) at the Nationality Passports and Residency Affairs (NPRA).

What Are The Required Documents For The Bahrain Family Visa?

To have a successful application, you must submit certain travel documents for Family visa application. You’ll need to send these documents to your sponsor and they will submit them during the application. You need the following documents:

    Passport: You need a scanned copy of your passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of travel.

    Birth certificate: Provide a copy of your birth certificate. It must be in Arabic or English and should be attested by the embassy of the employee's country in the Kingdom of Bahrain and by the Ministry of foreign affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain (MOFA).

    Passport: Passport copy of the employee in Bahrain (the family member you’ll be joining).

    Marriage certificate: The marriage certificate must be in English or Arabic. The certificate should be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) (applicable to Arab nationalities; this includes non-Arab nationals if the husband's or wife's name in the husband's or wife's passport is not mentioned).

    No objection letter: This is only for children accompanying their working mother or father in Bahrain. The letter or certificate should be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Bahraini Embassy in the native country of the expatriate employee.

Latest paid electricity bill: This is only for the private sector. If the electricity is not your responsibility (for example: shops in Malls, or electricity paid by the landlord), you will need to attach the lease contract as proof.

How To Apply For A Bahrain Family Visa?

As I’ve mentioned, the family visa for Bahrain from India is a sponsored visa. This means that you’re not applying for the visa yourself. The family member you’re joining in Bahrain must ask their employer to apply for the Bahrain sponsored visa on your behalf. 

This is what the application process will look like:

    1

    Start the application: Log in to the LMRA EMS system and start the process of applying for a new residency permit for the employees' dependents. Click on the “New Work Permit” folder, and then click on New Expatriate Permit.

    2

    Complete the application form: Enter the required information in the designated fields.

    3

    Upload the documents: Upload the documents the dependant provided you with.

    4

    Submit the application: Once you submit the application an application ID will be issued.

    5

    Application confirmation: Print the application confirmation.

    6

    Pay the visa fee: After receiving the approval on the residence visa, pay the fees through the EMS system or visit one of the accredited banks. Print the permit from the EMS system.

If the dependant you applied for is outside Bahrain then the Residence Permit should be printed by the employer through the Kingdom of Bahrain's National Portal once the dependant arrives. 

However, if the dependant you applied for is in Bahrain, then you will need to print the Residence Permit via the Kingdom of Bahrain's National Portal.

Everything You Need To Know About The Bahrain Family Visa For Indians

How Much Is A Family Visa In Bahrain?

The family visa for Bahrain cost BHD 90 (approx. INR 19875). This is also the cost if you want to renew your dependant residency permit. 

The fee is non-refundable. Also, the fee in INR can change as the current exchange rate fluctuates.

What Is The Processing Time For The Bahrain Family Visa From India?

The processing time is between 10-12 business days. However, there are certain factors that can extend the processing time. This includes:

    Incorrect information.

    Missing documents.

    A high volume of visa applications.

What Is The Minimum Salary For A Family Visa In Bahrain?

The family member you’re joining must have a monthly income of BHD 400 or more.

Conclusion

To receive a family visa for Bahrain, the employer of your family member must apply for the visa on your behalf. Make sure that you send them all the required documents for the application. The employer will send the visa to you once he or she receives it.

Government Sources

At Atlys, we understand how important accurate and timely information is regarding visa applications. That's why we rely on official government sources to provide you with the most current and reliable guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are considered immediate family members for the Family Visa?

Immediate family members generally include the spouse and dependent children of the sponsor. However, the children must be younger than 24.

What if the family dependents are already in Bahrain on a different permit?

If the dependents are already in Bahrain on a visit or another type of permit, the permit must be valid when applying for the Family Visa.

What is the process for renewing the Family Visa in Bahrain?

The process for renewing the Family Visa is typically done through the Nationality Passports and Residency Affairs (NPRA), subject to their conditions and regulations.

What should dependents with a previous personal number do when applying for the Family Visa?

Dependants holding a prior personal number should enter the same number in the personal number field when applying for the residency permit.

Are there any restrictions on employment for family members on the Family Visa?

Family members on the Family Visa are not allowed to work in Bahrain, as their visa is primarily for family reunification.

What are the consequences of violating the terms of the Family Visa in Bahrain?

Violating the terms of the Family Visa can result in fines, deportation, or other legal consequences, so it's crucial to adhere to the visa conditions and regulations.

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