Bahrain Spouse of a citizen

For the foreign wife of a Bahraini man, or the foreign husband of a Bahraini woman. A family visa is issued from abroad, then a family residence permit in Bahrain; the wife can later apply for Bahraini nationality. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What you must show and pay

• A fee of BHD 50 (≈ $130) · Residence permit issuance for the husband of a Bahraini woman (renewal BHD 60 (≈ $160)). The foreign wife of a Bahraini man pays no fee. ³
• A fee of BHD 5 (≈ $13) · Non-refundable application fee for the husband of a Bahraini woman. ³
• A fee of BHD 30 (≈ $80) · Visa issuing fee for the husband of a Bahraini woman, plus BHD 5 (≈ $13) application and BHD 5 (≈ $13) endorsement fees. The foreign wife visa is free of charge. ⁴

Requirements

• The applicant is the foreign wife of a Bahraini man or the foreign husband of a Bahraini woman. ^{1 2 3 4 5}
• A Bahraini guarantor or authorised person submits each application separately. ^{1 2 3 4 5}
• The visa applicant is outside Bahrain when applying. ^{1 2 3 4 5}
• The residence permit applicant is inside Bahrain when applying. ^{1 2 3 4 5}
• The foreign wife visa and residence permit are free of charge. ^{1 2 3 4 5}
• For a husband of a Bahraini woman: visa fees BHD 5 (≈ $13) + 5 + 30; residence permit BHD 5 (≈ $13) application plus BHD 50 (≈ $130) issuance. ^{1 2 3 4 5}
• Certified marriage certificate issued by Bahraini courts or any other country, attested. ^{1 2 3 4 5}
• Wife's passport valid for more than 6 months, and the Bahraini husband's passport and ID. ^{1 2 3 4 5}
• Husband's passport valid for more than 6 months when the husband of a Bahraini woman applies. ^{1 2 3 4 5}
• Salary certificate and, for military husbands, an approval letter from the employer (wife visa). ^{1 2 3 4 5}
• Guarantor's residential lease and ID (husband visa); health insurance is not required for husbands of Bahraini women. ^{1 2 3 4 5}
• Apply through the eGovernment website or in person at the Muharraq Security Complex, Isa Town branch. ^{1 2 3 4 5}
• Pay the fees and keep the receipt; payment is due within 30 days of approval. ^{1 2 3 4 5}
• The visa is invalid if not used within three months of issue. ^{1 2 3 4 5}
• Residence permits can be renewed on the NPRA website. ^{1 2 3 4 5}
• The foreign wife of a Bahraini citizen may apply to NPRA for Bahraini nationality. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Stay

• Residence permit issued and renewed through NPRA.
• Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

Work

Holders may not work, paid or unpaid, unless an official permit is issued by the relevant authority.

Family

Children of Bahraini mothers married to foreigners have a separate family residence permit.

Checked 2026-10-11

Official sources

1. Residence Permit for the Foreign Wife of a Bahraini Citizen · Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA), Ministry of Interior, Bahrain · checked 2026-10-11
2. Visa for the Foreign Wife of a Bahraini Citizen · Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA), Ministry of Interior, Bahrain · checked 2026-10-11
3. Residence Permit for Bahraini Citizen's Direct Family Members (Father, Mother, Husband, and Children) · Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA), Ministry of Interior, Bahrain · checked 2026-10-11
4. Visa for Bahraini Citizens' Direct Family Members (father, mother, husband, and children) · Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA), Ministry of Interior, Bahrain · checked 2026-10-11
5. Bahraini Wife's Citizenship · Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA), Ministry of Interior, Bahrain · checked 2026-10-11