Leslie Massey
All residents of Bahrain, including Bahraini citizens and long-term expatriates, are required to obtain a Central Population Registry (CPR) identity card. This card contains essential personal data and is needed to access government services. CPR cards are only valid for a certain period, and must be renewed once they expire. The Information & eGovernment Authority provides an online service for booking appointments to renew CPR cards.
What You'll Learn
CPR renewal requirements
The Central Population Registry (CPR) is a mandatory identity card for all residents of Bahrain, including Bahraini citizens and long-term expatriates. This card contains essential personal data and is required to access government services. The CPR is valid for five years from the date of issuance, or 10 years for individuals over 70 years old. Once expired, it must be renewed to maintain functionality.
To renew your CPR, you must prepare the following:
- Recent coloured personal photos in the following formats: .gif, .png, .jpeg, or .jpg.
- The photo must meet specific guidelines:
- Size: 3 x 4 (width x height)
- Background: Grey colour
- Age: Taken no more than 6 months prior to the application
- Framing: Close-up of the head and top of the shoulders, with the face occupying 70-80% of the photograph
- Direction: Applicant must face forward and look directly at the camera
- Eyes: Red eyes and flash reflections must be avoided; glasses are allowed, but eyes must be clearly visible
- Head Coverings: The full face must be visible, and the covering must not cast shadows on the face
The CPR renewal process can be completed online through the Information & eGovernment Authority's website. On the website, you can book an appointment for renewal at one of the ID Card Centres. The renewal fee for Bahrainis is BD 2, while those 60 years or older pay BD 1. For non-Bahrainis, the renewal fee is BD 10. Domestic workers are exempt from the fee if both their sponsor and work permit have changed.
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CPR renewal photo guidelines
To renew your CPR card in Bahrain, you will need to submit a recent passport-sized photograph as part of your application. Here are the detailed guidelines for your CPR renewal photo:
Background
The background of your photo must be a solid grey colour, specifically RGB 168, 168, 168. No other colours are permitted.
Recency
Your photo must be recent, taken no more than six months before your application.
Framing and Composition
The photo must show your whole head and the top of your shoulders. Your face should take up 70-80% of the photograph. The distance from the top of the photo to the top of your hair should be 6%.
Size
The image size must be 240 pixels wide by 320 pixels high.
Submission
The photo can be taken with a smartphone or camera and then uploaded to the official website, www.bahrain.bh. There are also third-party apps and websites that can assist with formatting your photo to meet the requirements.
Other Specifications
The photo must be a clear and accurate representation of your current appearance. It should not be damaged or altered in any way that may impact its authenticity.
Please note that these guidelines are specific to the CPR renewal process in Bahrain and may differ from photo requirements for other official documents or applications. Always refer to the official sources for the most up-to-date and accurate information.
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CPR renewal appointment
To book a CPR renewal appointment, you must first prepare the necessary documents, including recent coloured personal photos in the following formats: .gif, .png, .jpeg, or .jpg. These photos must adhere to specific guidelines, including size (3 x 4), background colour (grey), age (taken within the last 6 months), and composition (a close-up of the head and shoulders with the face occupying 70-80% of the photograph). Applicants must face forward, look directly at the camera, and avoid red eyes and flash reflections. Head coverings are permitted, but the full face must be visible without any shadows cast on it. Glasses are also allowed, provided that the eyes remain clearly recognisable.
Once you have the required photos, you can proceed to book your appointment using the following steps:
- Go to https://services.bahrain.bh/wps/portal/IdentityCardServices.
- Select "Appointments Booking and Enquiry".
- Choose "Book new appointment".
- Select the applicant type.
- Choose your preferred branch location.
- Click on "Search".
- Enter your appointment details.
Your appointment request will be processed within one business day.
It is important to note that the CPR validity period is unrelated to other documents such as passports or driving licenses. However, your passport must be valid when renewing your CPR card or applying for a replacement if your CPR card is lost or damaged. The CPR renewal fee for Bahrainis is BD 2, while it is BD 1 for citizens aged 60 years or above. For non-Bahrainis, the renewal fee is BD 10.
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CPR renewal location
To renew your CPR card, you can visit one of the branches of the ID Card Centres in Bahrain. The main branch is located in Isa Town, at Building 1088, Road 4025, Block 840, with a P.O. Box of 33305. The phone number for this branch is +973 17878000. The working hours vary depending on the customer type. For Bahraini and GCC customers, the centre is open from 07:30 AM to 05:30 PM, Sunday through Thursday. For Non-Bahrainis, the hours are from 07:30 AM to 02:00 PM during the week. There is also a fast-track service available for both Bahrainis and Non-Bahrainis, which operates from 07:30 AM to 02:00 PM.
Another branch is located in Muharraq, at Building 154, Shop No. 1107, Road 29, Block 240. This branch also has the same phone number, +973 17878000. The working hours for this branch are also similar to the main branch. The centre is open for Bahrainis from 07:30 AM to 05:30 PM, Sunday to Thursday. The fast-track service is available from 07:30 AM to 02:00 PM. However, this branch only offers services to Bahrainis and does not cater to Non-Bahrainis.
When visiting the ID Card Centres, ensure that you have all the necessary documents, including your recent coloured photographs that adhere to the specified guidelines.
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CPR renewal fees
The fees for CPR renewal in Bahrain vary based on the citizenship status of the applicant. For citizens of Bahrain, the renewal fee is BD 2. However, if the owner of the identity card is 60 years or above, they are only required to pay BD 1. For non-Bahraini residents, the renewal fee is BD 10.
Domestic workers do not need to pay the renewal fee if both the sponsor and the work permit are changed. If only the work permit is changed, the renewal is free of charge. However, if neither the sponsor nor the work permit is changed, a fee of BD 10 is applicable.
It is important to note that the CPR validity period is not related to the validity of any other cards or documents, such as passports or driving licenses. However, when renewing a CPR card or applying for a replacement due to loss or damage, it is mandatory to have a valid passport.
In addition to the standard renewal fees, there are optional fast-track charges of BD 10 for expedited service. Furthermore, if the customer chooses to receive the card by post, an additional BD 0.500 will be added as a delivery charge.
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Frequently asked questions
The validity of the Bahrain CPR is 5 years from the date of issuance. For people above 70 years old, the CPR is valid for 10 years.
You will need to prepare some recent coloured personal photos in the following formats: .gif, .png, .jpeg, or .jpg.
The photo must be:
- 3 x 4 (width x height)
- Taken against a grey background
- No more than 6 months old
- A close-up of the head and top of the shoulders, with the face taking up 70-80% of the photograph
- Facing forward and looking directly at the camera
- Without red eyes or flash reflection
- If wearing a head covering, the full face must be visible and the head covering must not cast any shadows on the face
- Glasses are allowed, but the eyes must be clearly recognisable
Renewal fees vary based on citizenship status. For Bahrainis, the renewal fee is BD 2, and for those 60 years or above, it is BD 1. For non-Bahrainis, the renewal fee is BD 10. Domestic workers do not need to pay the renewal fee if the sponsor and work permit are changed.
