Company Registration in Bahrain

Just visit the Sijilat Portal to open your company in Bahrain. You can reserve a trade name, fill out the application form, attach your documents, answer queries, and register with the LMRA for staff visas.

Absolutely, this is a very important step because the name will act as an identification of your company. Just select the three best names (only one will get approved). Always make sure the name is not offensive or mocking the sentiments of the public or breaking the laws of Bahrain.
Most of the time, businesses face rejection when they don’t properly conduct a name search or pick a name that is already in use by another company or a brand (trademark) in the country. Let Enterslice take over for you, so you don’t have to worry about the reservation process.

Of course, you will need to hire local talent based on your company’s size and business industry. Most startups and SMEs go for at least 1 to 2 staff in the first year and go gradually increase the headcount as the business grows.

Yes, you can register a branch office in Bahrain if you already have a company back home and are now looking to expand your operations in the Middle East. All you have to do is submit a form with your parent entity’s incorporation certificate, MOA/AOA, a board resolution, and passport copies of all shareholders.

Well, the rule is more nuanced when it comes to minimum funds for the initial setup. So, if you’re planning a limited liability or single person company, then there’s no fixed prescribed. You can just start with as low as USD 1,000 to USD 5,000, as your declared amount.
As far as a branch office is concerned, the parent entity’s financials are sufficient. But if you are considering a closed/public joint stock company, then the picture changes.

• CJSC: USD 665,000
• Public joint stock: higher than the closed one.
• Some regulated activities in the fintech or telecom sector require around USD 1-2 million. 

Yes, a physical office is important for most activities because it shows that you’re sincere about carrying on business in the country, easing your bank account opening and license processing.

Without a doubt, now you can open or expand your business without even spending your money on flight tickets and hotel bookings. The process is now fully remote for initial incorporation, licensing, lease agreement finalization, and bank account opening (onboarding).
Our recommendation- get local expertise through Enterslice, so you don’t have to deal with all the boring paperwork and administrative, never-ending questions and answers.

The initial approval will be given to you in three to five working days, but your bank account opening may take around 2 to 4 weeks, depending on your company's size. Visa may take at least 1 to 2 weeks. Sectoral licensing may go up to 10-15 days.

That completely depends on your company’s headcount and business activity. But most sole entrepreneurs go for a single-person company, and businesses with multiple shareholders choose a WLL (limited liability). Also, if you already have an established business in your home country, then you can just go for a branch office.

No, currently there’s no corporate income, capital gains, or even withholding tax in Bahrain for most businesses except multinational companies with over EUR 750 million annual revenue. So, technically, you will get to enjoy the 0% rate after licensing- best in the gulf.

No, you no longer need a local partner to start a business for almost 300 activities in the country. However, some regulated activities like oil/gas or telecom may warrant a local business partner, but all in all, foreigners can now fully control their companies.

Not just a tax concession, but an overall tax-friendly jurisdiction that doesn’t have a personal, capital, corporate, or withholding tax. Non-residents can fully divert the money to core business operations that are otherwise spent on tax payments.

You need at least two shareholders to start a limited liability company (WLL), whereas just one person is enough to incorporate a single-person company. Both structures provide a separate legal existence, meaning you will only be liable for the amount invested by you in the company. In other words, your personal assets remain protected.

Yes, there are no restrictions on operating in the mainland after you set up a company in the Free Zone, just like the UAE and Oman systems. The free zones in Bahrain are more about operational ease than specific benefits or licenses, like ready-to-use warehouses and storage units.

There are some activities that you can’t operate or conduct in Bahrain as a non-resident, such as commercial agencies, real estate brokerage in some segments, fishing, and certain media activities.

You can get an investor visa for up to three years (renewable), and with time, you can also qualify for the golden residency program- a visa for 10 years.