Gain Bahraini Citizenship: A Comprehensive Guide To Success

Bahrain's government is committed to preserving its cultural values and standard of living, which means that foreigners rarely become permanent citizens. However, there are a few ways to obtain Bahraini citizenship. One way is through marriage to a Bahraini citizen, although this does not guarantee citizenship, especially for non-Muslims. Another way is by fulfilling specific conditions for naturalization, including residing in Bahrain for an extended period, usually 25 years. In exceptional cases, a foreigner who has provided outstanding service to Bahrain may be granted citizenship.

Citizenship by birth

Children born in Bahrain after 16 September 1963 cannot have or apply for citizenship of another country. Since the adoption of the Nationality Law in 1963, all children born in Bahrain can become Bahraini citizens, regardless of the citizenship of their parents.

If you were born outside Bahrain, but your father or paternal grandfather is or was a citizen of Bahrain, you can also obtain citizenship by descent.

If you are a foreign citizen with Bahraini origins, citizenship by descent and birth is the easiest route to citizenship.

Citizenship by descent

• They were born in Bahrain after 1937 and their fathers were citizens of Bahrain.
• They were born outside Bahrain after 1937, and their fathers or grandfathers were Bahraini citizens.
• They were born in or outside Bahrain after 1937, their mothers were citizens of Bahrain, and their father is unknown, without a nationality, or fatherhood cannot be proved.

It is important to note that a child born to a Bahraini father acquires Bahraini citizenship by descent, irrespective of the nationality of the mother and the place of birth. On the other hand, a child of a Bahraini mother and a foreign father is not entitled to Bahraini citizenship unless the father is unknown or the child is born in Bahrain to unknown parents.

All applications for Bahraini nationality, including citizenship by descent, must be filed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Citizenship by marriage

Marriage is one of the ways to obtain Bahraini citizenship. However, it is important to note that this route is only available to women. Men who marry Bahraini women are not eligible for citizenship by marriage.

Requirements for Women Married to Bahraini Men

Foreign women who marry Bahraini men can apply for Bahraini citizenship. To do so, they must submit the following documents:

• A completed citizenship application form
• A letter addressed to His Majesty the King, expressing their desire to obtain Bahraini citizenship
• A document containing their ID data
• The original and a copy of their valid passport or other travel document issued in another country
• The original and a copy of their birth certificate
• The original and a copy of their marriage certificate. If the marriage took place outside of Bahrain, an affidavit from a Bahraini court must be included with the foreign marriage certificate
• A document with the ID data of their husband and children (if applicable)
• If their name is written in the passport in a dual or triple form, they must provide a certificate from their embassy confirming their full name is authentic
• A certificate from the Survey & Land Registration Bureau confirming ownership of property in Bahrain
• A medical certificate
• A certificate from the Commercial Registration office stating their business activity (if applicable)
• All education certificates or a letter from the Ministry of Education and a copy of this letter
• The originals and copies of all residence permits to confirm their continuous stay in the country
• An employment certificate from their workplace and the Social Insurance Organisation, stating their job, salary, and employment date. This certificate must be no more than three months old at the time of the application

Retention of Original Citizenship

Bahrain does not permit dual citizenship, and applicants for Bahraini citizenship are generally required to renounce their previous citizenship. However, women married to Bahraini citizens can apply to keep their original citizenship, although such cases are processed individually without a guarantee of approval.

Divorce

In the case of divorce, a foreign woman who obtained Bahraini citizenship through marriage can usually retain her Bahraini citizenship.

Citizenship by naturalisation

Bahrain has strict requirements for naturalisation candidates. Firstly, you must have lived legally and consecutively in Bahrain for 25 years before applying for citizenship. If you are of Arab origin, 10-15 years is enough. You must also be able to speak Arabic well.

There are some other conditions that must be met. You must own property that is registered under your name in the Survey and Land Registration Bureau. You must be of good character and be mentally competent. You must also have enough money to support your life in Bahrain.

To apply for Bahraini citizenship, you must attach the following documents:

• A completed citizenship application form
• A letter addressed to His Majesty the King, stating your desire to obtain Bahraini citizenship
• A document containing your ID data
• The original and a copy of your valid passport or other travel document issued in another country
• The original and a copy of your birth certificate
• The original and a copy of the marriage certificate if it was issued in Bahrain. If it was issued abroad, attach an affidavit from a court in Bahrain along with your foreign marriage certificate
• A document with the ID data of your wife and children (if applicable)
• If your name is written in the passport in a dual or triple form, you must provide a certificate from your embassy confirming your full name is authentic
• A certificate from the Survey & Land Registration Bureau that confirms you own property in Bahrain
• A medical certificate
• A certificate from the Commercial Registration office stating your business activity (if applicable)
• All your education certificates or a letter from the Ministry of Education and a copy of this letter
• The originals and copies of all your residence permits to confirm your continuous stay in the country
• An employment certificate from your workplace and the Social Insurance Organisation, stating your job, salary, and employment date. This certificate must be no more than three months old before the date of your application

If your application is accepted, you should collect your passport during business hours. The wife and minor children of a recently naturalized man are also considered naturalized citizens.

Dual citizenship

There are some reports of individuals holding dual citizenship without repercussions. One source states that while it is "kinda illegal" to have dual citizenship, it is "not really enforced". This source goes on to say that those who declare their dual citizenship to the Ministry of Interior may be allowed to keep it, particularly if it was obtained through natural means (e.g. not through political asylum or buying citizenship). Additionally, this source claims that those with UK, US, or Canadian citizenship may be able to keep their dual citizenship regardless of how it was obtained.

However, other sources suggest that the Bahraini government is aware of its citizens' dual citizenship status and that it is not worth the risk. There is also a comment stating that while some are allowed to keep their foreign passport in practice, they are technically supposed to leave it with the government.

Applying for Dual Citizenship

If you are a Bahraini citizen and wish to apply for citizenship in another country, you can do so, but you may be required to renounce your Bahraini citizenship. If you are a foreign citizen and wish to become a citizen of Bahrain, you can apply for naturalization, but you will likely need to renounce your previous citizenship.

Frequently asked questions