Setting up as an investor in Bahrain involves two separate costs. The first is the cost of forming your company. The second is the government cost of the investor visa, which you pay only after your company has its Commercial Registration (CR). This guide keeps the two apart, so you can see exactly what you pay at each stage.
Stage 1: Company formation
You complete these steps first. The company must hold an active CR before any visa can be applied for.
- Security clearance. Each foreign shareholder goes through a security clearance first. It usually takes 3 to 5 working days.
- Company name. You reserve your trade name on Sijilat. Have two or three alternative names ready, in case the first is rejected.
- Business address. You register an address that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce accepts. It can be a physical office or a compliant virtual office.
- Documents and CR. You sign the company documents, and the Ministry issues your Commercial Registration.
The full process is explained in how to register a company in Bahrain.
What company formation costs
GovtLink Solutions formation packages start from BHD 1,340 and cover the registration work plus a virtual office and bank-account setup. Government registration fees are separate and vary with your activity and the type of CR. Our company formation cost guide explains what each package includes.
Stage 2: The investor visa
Once your CR is active, the visa goes through the LMRA and NPRA.
- LMRA registration and work permit. The company is registered in the LMRA system and the investor work permit is issued.
- Visa application at NPRA. The application goes to NPRA after LMRA approval. From outside Bahrain the visa is applied for from outside. From inside Bahrain it can be a change of status.
- Medical test and fingerprints. You complete the medical test at an approved health centre and give your fingerprints.
- Passport stamping and CPR. The visa is stamped in your passport and your CPR (ID card) is issued.
Investor visa government fees (1-year visa)
These are the government costs for a 1-year investor visa, in Bahraini dinars. They are estimates as of November 2026, and the exact total depends on the medical centre and the card type.
- LMRA residence permit / visa fee: BHD 195
- LMRA admin fee: BHD 5
- Medical examination: BHD 20 to 30
- ID card (CPR) and biometrics: BHD 10 to 15
- Estimated total government fees: BHD 230 to 245
Our own service fee is separate from these government fees and is given on quote, so you know the price before we start. If you want to know the cost of a 2-year visa, contact us and we will confirm it.
How long does the investor visa take?
LMRA and NPRA processing usually takes 4 to 5 working days once your CR is active and your documents are complete. Booking the medical test and fingerprints and receiving the CPR card add some time. Timelines vary with LMRA workload and how complete your file is.
What you pay and when
- Before the CR: the company formation package and the government registration fees.
- After the CR: the investor visa government fees and our service fee.
- Every year: CR renewal. See our CR renewal service.
What the investor visa needs
- An active CR, renewed every year.
- A passport with at least six months of validity.
- A passport-size photo on a white background.
- Proof of the company address, such as a lease or a virtual office agreement.
- A business activity that is eligible for an investor visa.
The step-by-step process is covered in our guide to the investor visa in Bahrain.
What about your family?
Once you hold your CPR you can sponsor your family. The government fee depends on the person and the visa duration. See our Family Visa page for the current fees.
Get help with your investor visa
GovtLink Solutions handles the LMRA and NPRA applications, medical booking and CPR appointment for you. See our investor visa service, or send your passport copy on WhatsApp for a free eligibility check.