Bahrain: Aliens Immigration and Residence Act of 1965

Title

Date of adoption

Entry into force

Text versions

English

Source:

– Official Journal Issue No. 3, July 1965, pp. 12- 20, Legislation & Legal Opinion Commission, Kingdom of Bahrain, accessed: 7 July 2014, http://www.legalaffairs.gov.bh/Media/LegalPDF/K0365.pdf

– Bahrain: Aliens (Immigration and Residence) Act of 1965 [Bahrain],  11 July 1965, accessed 7 July 2014, http://www.refworld.org/docid/3fb9f4bd4.html

Abstract

The requirements for entering Bahrain for foreigners include holding a valid passport or travel document and a valid entry visa (Art. 5(1)).

A foreigner may not stay in Bahrain after the expiry of the validity date of his visa (Art. 7(5)).

Foreigners entering the country for any reason may be required to pay a deposit of no more than one thousand Rubies that may be used for their deportation. For those entering Bahrain for employment purposes, the employer may be required to pay the deposit or submit an undertaking to the Director of Immigration to bear all deportation costs (Art. 8(1((B)).

Pursuant to Art. 15 of this law, foreigners aged sixteen and above may not reside in Bahrain unless they hold a residence permit issued by the immigration director.

Foreigners wishing to remain in the country must renew residence permits. An application must be submitted to the Immigration of Department (Art. 17).

Foreigners may not be granted a residence permit or permitted to renew it, unless the permission of the Governor is granted, except for the following cases (Art. 18(1)):

1. If the foreigner is able to support himself and his dependents (if present in Bahrain)
2. If the foreigner intends to work or to continue on work in Bahrain, he shall present, while submitting his application for a residence permit (or renewal), a written permission to work in Bahrain that is issued for him or his employer from the Labour Department.

The requirement to apply for a residence permit in accordance with article 15 does not apply to foreigners staying in the country for four weeks or less for each visit (Art. 21).

In accordance with Art. 21(1), a foreigner who is legally residing in Bahrain at the time of his application for a residence permit or its renewal or at the time of his appeal of the decision in accordance with article 24, may remain in Bahrain without a valid residence permit until he receives a response to his application or appeal.

Art. 23 deals with cancellation of residence permits. A foreigner whose residence permit has been cancelled in accordance with the provisions of this article, may continue residing in Bahrain without having a residence permit for fourteen days immediately after being informed of the cancellation in order to settle his affairs and leave Bahrain.

In accordance with Art. 23(4), a foreigner whose residence permit has been cancelled may not apply for another one for a period of 52 weeks from the date he received notice of its cancellation.

Articles 28 and 29 cover penalties under this law.