Company Registration in Bahrain
Our company registration services in Bahrain take care of everything from start to finish, so you can focus on your business rather than paperwork. We manage your commercial registration Bahrain application through SIJILAT, Bahrain's online commercial registration system, and coordinate the required approvals throughout the registration process, whether you are a first-time founder or an established group planning foreign company registration in Bahrain.
Why Register Your Company in Bahrain
Bahrain remains one of the most open jurisdictions in the Gulf for investors. Most business activities allow 100% foreign ownership, so a local partner is not required to hold your shares.
Bahrain has no personal income tax at all, so residents keep their full salary with no tax brackets or filing obligations. Corporate income tax is generally 0% for most businesses, except oil and gas companies, which pay 46% on net profits.
Since January 2025, a 15% Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax applies to large multinational groups with global revenue of EUR 750 million or more. VAT is charged at a standard rate of 10%.
Overall, Bahrain remains one of the most tax-friendly jurisdictions in the Gulf, and there are no restrictions on money transfers. The Sijilat system in Bahrain, operated by MOIC, keeps registration, licensing, and renewals online, which keeps the process fast and largely paperless.
Our Company Registration Process
Our team manages every stage of your commercial registration Bahrain application.
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01
We start by confirming your business activity and legal structure, typically a W.L.L. (With Limited Liability Company), which may be owned by one shareholder or by up to fifty shareholders.
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We then reserve your proposed company name through SIJILAT, prepare and notarise the incorporation documents, submit the application to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC), and obtain the Commercial Registration once it is approved.
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03
Once approved, you receive your Commercial Registration, which serves as your primary business licence and allows you to begin trading legally in Bahrain. We can then assist with opening a corporate bank account and obtaining employee work permits where required.
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Where employee work permits are required, we register the company with the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), arrange the required medical examination at an LMRA-designated medical centre, complete the work permit application, and assist with the issuance of the employee ID card.
Fees and Timeline
Government fees for a Commercial Registration are BD196 for three business activities, plus BD100 for each additional activity. Notarisation is BD100, and annual CR renewal is BD166 or more, depending on your share capital and the related Chamber of Commerce fee. Work permits through the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) cost BD205 per person per year and may be issued for one or two years.
The overall cost of establishing a company in Bahrain depends on the nature of the proposed business activity and its licensing requirements. Activities requiring additional approvals, regulatory clearances, or multiple licences will generally involve higher establishment costs. Therefore, a detailed quotation should include all government fees, licensing and regulatory charges, third-party expenses, and the professional fees payable to the service provider.
Most registrations are completed within 2 to 3 weeks. Regulated activities that require Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) approval take longer, since the CBB alone needs a minimum of 2 months to respond, so plan for at least 3 months in that case.
Documents We Will Need From You
A Power of Attorney or an apostilled authorisation signed by all shareholders authorising our team to represent them before the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) and other governmental authorities in Bahrain.
Passport and identification copies for all shareholders.
Your proposed share capital amount in BD (required later in the registration process).
Shareholding percentages if there is more than one partner.
Three proposed company names, in order of preference.
Details of your intended business activities.
An email address and telephone number for correspondence.
Why Work With LevantBMS
We handle your application through SIJILAT, Bahrain's online commercial registration system, liaise directly with MOIC and, where relevant, the Central Bank of Bahrain, and stay with you after registration for renewals and compliance. Contact LevantBMS today to begin your company registration in Bahrain with experienced guidance from our business advisory team.
LevantBMS is a trusted business advisory firm with more than twenty years of experience supporting startups, family businesses, and international investors with company registration in Bahrain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is company registration in Bahrain?
How long does company registration take in Bahrain?
Can foreign investors fully own a company in Bahrain?
What is the Sijilat system in Bahrain?
How much does commercial registration cost in Bahrain?
Do I need a local sponsor to register a company in Bahrain?
What is the difference between a business licence and a commercial registration in Bahrain?
Get Started
Contact LevantBMS today to begin your company registration in Bahrain with experienced guidance from our business advisory team.