Bahrain

Last Updated: 2026-04-01

Official Portal: Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA)

Embassy Finder: Bahraini Diplomatic Missions

Quick Facts

Category	Details
Residency for naturalization	25 years for Arab nationals; 15 years for others (discretionary exceptions exist)
Language requirement	Knowledge of Arabic
Civics test	No formal examination
Processing time	12—36+ months; highly discretionary
Naturalization fee	BHD 60—100 (approximately USD 160—265)
Dual citizenship	Not permitted; acquisition of foreign nationality results in loss of Bahraini citizenship
Citizenship by birth in Bahrain	No pure jus soli; requires descent from a Bahraini father
Citizenship by descent	Patrilineal only — through the father
Governing law	Bahraini Citizenship Act of 1963 (as amended through 2019)

Dual Citizenship

Bahrain does not permit dual citizenship. The Citizenship Act of 1963 provides that a Bahraini citizen who voluntarily acquires a foreign nationality loses Bahraini citizenship automatically.

Key provisions:

Bahraini nationals who naturalize abroad must renounce Bahraini citizenship; failure to do so can result in administrative revocation.
Foreign nationals applying for Bahraini citizenship must renounce their prior nationality.
The King retains discretionary authority to grant citizenship while waiving the renunciation requirement in exceptional cases, though this is rare and unpublished.
Enforcement is stricter than in some Gulf states; Bahrain has actively revoked citizenship on political grounds, notably revoking the nationality of hundreds of citizens since 2012 in connection with political unrest.

Acquisition of Nationality

By Birth (Jus Soli)

Bahrain does not apply jus soli. Birth on Bahraini territory alone does not confer citizenship. A child born in Bahrain to non-Bahraini parents is not entitled to Bahraini nationality.

The sole exception is the foundling provision: a child of unknown parentage found in Bahrain is presumed Bahraini until proven otherwise.

By Descent (Jus Sanguinis)

Bahraini citizenship is transmitted exclusively through the father:

A child born to a Bahraini father acquires citizenship automatically, regardless of where the child is born or the nationality of the mother.
A child born to a Bahraini mother and non-Bahraini father does not acquire Bahraini citizenship. This has been a sustained point of criticism from human rights organizations and the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
Children of Bahraini mothers may apply for naturalization, but there is no guaranteed pathway and approval is discretionary.

By Adoption

Bahrain, following Islamic legal tradition, does not recognize formal adoption in the Western sense. Guardianship (kafalah) does not confer citizenship. A child under kafalah retains the nationality of their biological parents.

By Marriage

A foreign woman who marries a Bahraini man may acquire Bahraini citizenship after 5 years of marriage, provided:

The marriage is registered and genuine
She applies through the Ministry of Interior
She renounces her prior nationality

A foreign man married to a Bahraini woman has no pathway to Bahraini citizenship through marriage. This gender asymmetry is codified in the Citizenship Act.

By Naturalization

Requirement	Details
Residence	25 years for Arab nationals; 15 years for non-Arab nationals
Language	Knowledge of Arabic
Character	Good conduct; no criminal convictions
Financial	Ownership of real property in Bahrain or demonstrated financial self-sufficiency
Renunciation	Must renounce all prior citizenships
Age	Must be at least 21 years old
Approval	Granted by Royal Decree (discretionary)

Royal discretion: The King may grant citizenship to any person at any time, waiving all standard requirements, for “distinguished service” to Bahrain. This discretionary power has been used to naturalize large numbers of individuals, particularly Sunni Arabs and security personnel, which has been politically controversial.

Loss and Renunciation

Voluntary renunciation: A Bahraini citizen may apply to renounce citizenship. The application is submitted to the NPRA. Renunciation is effective only upon approval and if the person has acquired or been assured another nationality.

Involuntary loss:

Ground	Details
Acquisition of foreign nationality	Automatic loss upon voluntary acquisition of another citizenship
Service in foreign military	Without prior authorization from the government
Fraud	Citizenship obtained through fraudulent means may be revoked
National security	The King may revoke citizenship of persons deemed to threaten state security or who assist a hostile state
Political revocation	Since 2012, Bahrain has revoked citizenship of over 900 individuals, primarily opposition figures, on security grounds

The political use of denaturalization has drawn significant international criticism. Some revocations have been reversed by court order or royal decree.

Restoration of Nationality

The Citizenship Act provides for restoration of Bahraini nationality:

Former citizens who lost citizenship by acquiring a foreign nationality may apply for restoration if they return to permanent residence in Bahrain and renounce the foreign nationality.
Restoration is granted by Royal Decree and is discretionary.
The applicant must demonstrate prior Bahraini citizenship and submit a formal request through the Ministry of Interior.
Persons whose citizenship was revoked on security grounds face significantly higher barriers to restoration, though some reversals have occurred following court challenges or political negotiations.
Restored citizens regain full rights, though the process can take 12—24 months and is not guaranteed.
Children who lost citizenship due to their father’s loss may apply for restoration independently upon reaching adulthood.

Stateless Persons and Foundlings

Bahrain is not a party to the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons or the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.

A child of unknown parentage found in Bahrain is presumed to be a Bahraini citizen (foundling provision).
Children of Bahraini mothers and non-Bahraini fathers are at heightened risk of statelessness if the father is stateless, deceased, or has abandoned the family. Despite advocacy efforts, the law has not been amended to allow maternal transmission of citizenship.
The mass revocations since 2012 have created a population of de facto stateless persons within Bahrain.

Document Checklist

Completed application form (from NPRA or Bahraini consulate)

Valid passport with certified Arabic translation

Birth certificate with apostille and Arabic translation

Father’s Bahraini identity card or passport (for descent claims)

Marriage certificate (for spousal applications)

Proof of continuous residence (for naturalization)

Property ownership documents or financial statements

Police clearance certificate from country of residence and Bahrain

Medical fitness certificate

Two recent passport-sized photographs

Evidence of renunciation of prior nationality (or application to renounce)

Proof of Arabic language proficiency

Sources

Bahraini Citizenship Act of 1963 (as amended) — Primary nationality legislation. Available through Bahrain Legal Portal: https://www.legalaffairs.gov.bh/
Constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain (2002) — Articles on nationality and citizenship: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Bahrain_2017
Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA) — Application procedures: https://www.npra.gov.bh/
UNHCR Refworld — Bahrain — Nationality law and statelessness: https://www.refworld.org/country/BHR
Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) — Documentation of citizenship revocations: https://birdbh.org/

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