Bringing your spouse and children to live with you in Bahrain runs through a dependant residency permit rather than a work visa. This guide covers the sponsor salary rule, the documents, the medical, the fees per dependant and how renewal works in 2026.
Who you can sponsor
An employed expatriate can sponsor a spouse and children as dependants. Children are handled as dependants up to the age of 24; dependants above that age, and certain other relatives such as parents, are processed through the National Portal for Residency Affairs (NPRA) rather than the standard LMRA dependant service. You will need your own valid work permit before you can sponsor anyone — see our Bahrain LMRA work permit guide for that first step.
Both spouses and children are eligible, and the process is broadly the same for each — the main differences are the supporting certificate (marriage certificate for a spouse, birth certificate for a child) and the medical examination, which applies to adults. Sponsoring parents or older relatives follows a separate NPRA route with its own income and documentation checks, so budget extra time if that is your situation.
The sponsor salary rule
The sponsor must show a stable minimum monthly income, verified through Social Insurance Organisation (SIO) records. The threshold commonly applied is around BHD 400 net per month for sponsoring a spouse and children, up from BHD 250 in earlier years. Authorities have signalled a move toward a higher income requirement, so treat BHD 400 as the widely-applied floor and confirm the current figure directly with LMRA before you apply, as a higher salary may be required for certain categories.
Documents required
- Sponsor’s CPR, passport and valid work permit
- Attested marriage certificate (for a spouse)
- Attested birth certificates (for children)
- Salary certificate and SIO income record
- Passport copies and photos of each dependant
- Tenancy contract / proof of suitable accommodation
Medical and fees
Adult dependants complete a medical examination at an approved centre as part of the process, screening for the conditions required under GCC health rules. The core government charge for a dependant residency permit is a service fee of BHD 90 plus a BHD 5 administrative fee, i.e. around BHD 95 per dependant, before any medical or attestation costs. LMRA processing is typically about three working days once the file is complete, though using a cooperative typing centre rather than applying directly can extend this to around seven working days.
| Item | Amount (per dependant) |
|---|---|
| Service fee | BHD 90 |
| Administrative fee | BHD 5 |
| Approx. total government fee | ~BHD 95 |
Step-by-step process
- Confirm you meet the salary threshold and hold a valid work permit
- Attest your marriage and birth certificates in your home country and, where required, at the Bahraini authorities
- Apply for the dependant residency permit through LMRA (often via your employer or a typing centre)
- Complete the medical examination for adult dependants at an approved centre
- Pay the government fee and collect the approval, then apply for each dependant’s CPR
Once the permit is approved, each dependant is issued a CPR card, which they will need for schooling, healthcare and day-to-day life. If a dependant is currently outside Bahrain, they typically enter and complete the medical and CPR steps after arrival.
Renewal
Dependant permits are renewed in line with the sponsor’s own residence permit, usually every one to two years. Renewals repeat the fee and, for adults, may repeat the medical. Let a dependant permit lapse and you can face fines, so diarise the expiry alongside your own. If your own job or permit ends, your dependants’ permits are tied to yours and will need to be transferred or closed. For short visits by relatives while paperwork is arranged, the Bahrain eVisa and visit visa is the alternative.
Frequently asked questions
What income do I need to sponsor my family?
The widely-applied minimum is around BHD 400 net per month, verified through SIO records, though a higher threshold may apply to some categories and the rule has been tightening. Confirm the current figure with LMRA before applying.
Can I sponsor children over 18?
Children are sponsored as dependants up to age 24. Above that, or for other relatives, the application goes through NPRA under different rules.
How much does it cost per dependant?
The core government charge is roughly BHD 95 per dependant (BHD 90 service plus BHD 5 admin), before medical and certificate-attestation costs.
Bottom line
If you earn above the salary threshold and your marriage and birth certificates are attested, sponsoring your family in Bahrain is a straightforward LMRA process costing roughly BHD 95 per dependant in government fees, plus medical and attestation costs. Confirm the live salary requirement before you start, since it has been tightening, and renew on time to avoid fines.
Read next: Qatar Family Residence Visa 2026: Sponsor Salary & Documents
Primary sources: the Bahrain Ministry of Interior and the Bahrain national portal.
