Nationality of Bahrain: all obtaining pathways
Bahrain requires twenty-five years of residence for ordinary naturalization — fifteen for Arab citizens — the world's longest regime alongside the Vatican. Marriage to a Bahraini opens the route at five years, with descent by ius sanguinis.
1Naturalization by residence (very restrictive)
Naturalization by residence (very restrictive)
Requirements
- Continuous legal residence in Bahrain for at least 25 years (15 years for Arab citizens)
- Knowledge of Arabic
- Good conduct and no criminal record
- Legitimate income and means of subsistence
- Being Muslim (preferably, though not always mandatory)
- Renouncing the previous citizenship
- Government approval
- Bahrain does not allow dual citizenship
- Own REGISTERED REAL ESTATE in Bahrain (express requirement of art. 6)
- The naturalised person has NO voting, representation, nomination or local-council appointment rights for 10 years
- The wife and minor children of the naturalised person become Bahrainis by naturalisation (art. 6)
Documentation
- Foreign passport with a Bahraini residence permit
- Criminal record certificate
- Arabic-knowledge certificate
- Proof of income and employment
- Declaration of renunciation of the previous citizenship
- Formal application to the Ministry of the Interior
We could not verify the official portal
The official portal was not reachable during our latest review. The information was cross-checked against the sources listed below. Please confirm the requirements on the official portal before starting your application.
2By descent (ius sanguinis)
By descent (ius sanguinis)
Requirements
- The child of a Bahraini father obtains citizenship automatically
- The child of a Bahraini mother and a foreign father can apply for citizenship under special conditions
- Registration in the Bahraini civil register
Documentation
- Birth certificate
- Father's Bahraini ID card (BSCP)
- Bahraini father's passport
We could not verify the official portal
The official portal was not reachable during our latest review. The information was cross-checked against the sources listed below. Please confirm the requirements on the official portal before starting your application.
3Foreign woman married to a Bahraini (Act 1963, art. 7)
Foreign woman married to a Bahraini (Act 1963, art. 7)
Requirements
- A foreign woman who marries a Bahraini ACQUIRES Bahraini citizenship (through the marriage itself, no express waiting term in the Act)
- She does NOT lose Bahraini citizenship on dissolution of the marriage unless she reclaims her original nationality or acquires a new one
- A Bahraini woman who marries a foreigner does NOT lose her nationality unless she acquires her husband’s; she may RECLAIM it on dissolution if she resides in Bahrain
- Renunciation of the previous nationality in administrative practice
Documentation
- Marriage certificate registered in Bahrain
- Spouse's Bahraini ID card
- 5-year residence certificate
- Declaration of renunciation of the previous citizenship
We could not verify the official portal
The official portal was not reachable during our latest review. The information was cross-checked against the sources listed below. Please confirm the requirements on the official portal before starting your application.
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Bahrain
How many years of residence does Bahrain require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Bahrain (Naturalization by residence (very restrictive)), the term is 25 years (15 years for Arabs). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Does Bahrain allow dual nationality?
Renouncing the previous citizenship
Can the nationality of Bahrain be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Foreign woman married to a Bahraini pathway (Acquisition through marriage (no express term in the Act)). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Bahrain require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Foreign passport with a Bahraini residence permit; Criminal record certificate; Arabic-knowledge certificate; Proof of income and employment; Declaration of renunciation of the previous citizenship; among 1 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Bahrain?
Bahrain provides 3 pathways: Naturalization by residence, By descent, Foreign woman married to a Bahraini.
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Anything to correct or add about Bahrain?
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