Welcome to Bahrain.

Welcome to the Gulf’s most liberal business environment , with the lowest taxes and operating costs and a
refreshing lack of red tape. And, with everything from ancient souks to Saks Fifth Avenue, welcome to the
best shopping.

Welcome to the Gulf’s most progressive and fastest growing financial centre and to a culture that can
trace its roots back some 4,000 years. Welcome to the Gulf’s most skilled and educated workforce . A
workforce that knows how to enjoy itself in Bahrain’s wealth of cafés and restaurants.

Welcome to the Gulf’s geographical hub. Bahrain’s airline, Gulf Air, offers more flights, more often to
more regional destinations than any other. Though we trust you’ll be in no hurry to leave. In a country
where the hospitality is legendary, you’ll always be welcomed with a friendly smile.

Welcome to Bahrain. Rated by an HSBC poll of expatriates in its top 5 countries with the best quality of
life. (Nov. 25, 2009 )

Visas are required by all visitors to Bahrain except passport holders of the GCC States. All other visitors
require one of the following visas:

Visiting and Tourist Visas

Two Weeks Tourist Visas

Tourist visas are issued for stays of two weeks to citizens of the European Union (EU), Australia, Canada,
Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and the USA. Applicants must possess valid, up-to-date passports and a
return or onward ticket. A visa fee of BD5 ($12) is applied and can be obtained at entry at the Bahrain
International Airport. Tourist visas don’t allow visitors to engage in any employment.

72 hour/7 day Visas

Obtained on arrival at the Bahrain International Airport or at the King Fahad Causeway. In addition to a
passport, the passenger must have a confirmed return/onward journey ticket for the visa application to be
processed.

Current Requirements to Live and Work in Bahrain

Anyone wishing to live and legally work in Bahrain will need to apply for the following visas and
permits. Employers are advised to arrange and process necessary documents to the Labour Market
Regulatory Authority prior to the arrival of their employees and dependents.

Work Visa, submitted to and issued by Labour Market Regulatory Authority. Requirements:

Visa application form

Employee’s passport

Passport size photograph

Sponsorship Letter: a letter of employment indicating employer’s name/organization, commercial

registration number, employee’s capacity, salary, contract duration, employee’s name, birth date and
nationality

Copy of the contract

Health record from an authorised clinic

BD100 fee

Residency Permit (Family Visa), submitted to Labour Market Regulatory Authority and issued by General
Department for Nationality & Passport Residence. Requirements:

Application form

Employee & family’s passport copies

Employee’s sponsorship letter

Employee’s contract

Family health record from an authorised clinic

BD22 fee per applicant

CPR Card (Identification Card), submitted to and issued by Central Informatics Organization.
Requirements:

Employee (or spouse) passport

Sponsorship letter stating names of dependents

Marriage certificate (for spouse) and birth certificate (for children)

BD1 fee per applicant

Getting Started

Bahrain's Economic Development Board offers an investor facilitation service to first-time investors who
are interested in setting up a business in Bahrain. This service includes acting as the first point of contact
to the Kingdom, understanding the objectives of investors, providing them with information regarding the
relevant procedures for setting up business, and helping them to form a network of contacts in Bahrain.

Working across Government Ministries and bodies, we can facilitate easy entry to the Bahrain market,
ensuring you can make it happen for your business in the Kingdom.