Applies to women only: Obtain husband’s approval to leave home
Agency: Domicile
According to article 54 a) of the Family Law ( Law 19 of 2017) a married woman will not be entitled to alimony if she leaves the residency without permission of husband or for non-permitted purposes.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Draft standard Memorandum of Association and obtain preliminary approval from the Ministry of Commerce
Agency: Commercial Registration Portal
The entrepreneur obtains preliminary approval from the Ministry of Commerce by presenting the required documents to the Commercial Registration Portal at https://www.sijilat.bh/.
The required documents are:
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Draft Memorandum of Association.
- Board of directors resolution resolving to establish the company in Bahrain (for corporate partners).
- National ID card (Central Population Registry (CPR)) copies of the company’s representatives. If the partners are not present themselves to register the company, copies of the ID cards of their lawyers/other representatives must be provided.
- Lease agreement as proof of the company’s commercial address.
- Last audited financial report of corporate partners.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain lease approval from the Municipality
Agency: Commercial Registration Portal
The lease agreement is required to obtain preliminary approval from the Municipality. If the entrepreneur decides to use the services of an attorney, it is common practice to use the address of the law firm until a lease is obtained within 3 months. Corporate offices can only be established in buildings with a commercial license (not residential). Once the lease is signed with the landlord on official documents, the contract can then be submitted on the website of the Commercial Registration Portal (www.sijilat.bh/).
The location of the company must be approved by the Municipality. A visit to the relevant Municipality is required to finalize the lease approval.
Time and cost: 3 days, BHD 10
Notarize Memorandum of Association
Agency: Notary
Once the registration approval has been obtained from the Ministry of Commerce and the Municipality, the Memorandum of Association must be notarized by a notary public. A notary is available at the Ministry of Justice booth at the BIC one-stop shop.
Time and cost: 1 day, BHD 27
Open an account at the bank and obtain proof of deposit of capital
Agency: Bank
The capital has to be deposited in an account at a commercial bank and proof of deposit must be obtained. Commercial bank branches are available at the BIC one-stop-shop.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain Certificate of Registration from Ministry of Commerce
Agency: Bahrain Investment Center (BIC) one-stop shop at Ministry of Industry and Commerce
Once the municipality has given its approval, a capital deposit certificate has been issued by the bank, and the memorandum of association has been notarized, the entrepreneur returns to the Ministry of Commerce to obtain the Certificate of Registration (CR) from the Bahrain Investment Center one-stop-shop. The certificate of registration can also be obtained online.
Time and cost: 1 day, BHD 50
Register the company and employees with the General Organisation for Social Insurance (GOSI)
Agency: General Organisation for Social Insurance
The documents required for registration are:
- Copy of employer’s Central Population Registry (CPR)
- Copy of the Certificate of Registration (CR)
- Copy of company contract
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
