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Company Formation in Bahrain

Your Go-To Experts for Expanding Business

Company formation in Bahrain offers 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax, and excellent banking solutions. Start your business in Bahrain with authorized, trusted, and all-in-one business setup Bahrain specialists.
Government Authorized Service Provider | 700+ Successful Applications | 100% Client Satisfaction

Why Choose Bahrain for Your Business?

Bahrain's strategic location provides direct access to the GCC market. The Kingdom offers advanced digital infrastructure through the Sijilat electronic platform for seamless registration. Modern banking systems ensure there are no currency restrictions on international transactions or on profit repatriation.

  • Timeline

    11-21 business days (Platinum)

  • Corporate Tax

    0% on most businesses

  • Foreign Ownership

    Up to 100% in 416 activities

  • Bank Account

    Opens in 1-2 days

  • Income Tax

    0% Income Tax

  • Strong Currency

    Stable Dinar, Strong Economy

The 7-Step Company Formation Process in Bahrain

Step 1: Obtain Security Clearance

We prepare essential Know Your Customer (KYC) documents, ensuring they include all required details to meet regulatory standards.

Required Documents

  • Clear passport copies
  • Signed KYC forms
  • Engagement letter
  • Authorization letter

Processing Time

3-5 business days
Security Clearence

Step 2: Register Your Commercial Name

Your company needs a unique, compliant business name. We guide you in selecting business names that comply with Bahraini regulations while representing your brand. You'll provide three name options, and we'll submit them to the MOIC for approval.

Commercial Name Rules in Bahrain

The following are the rules and regulations for choosing the business names of the company:

✅ The business names in Bahrain can be a person’s name or a part of a person’s name.

✅ The business names can be innovative and may include a description of the business activity.

✅ The name must be unique and must not have been registered already in the commercial registers system.

🚫 The name should not consist of a common word only and local laws & values..

🚫 Cannot be identical to an international brand, religious, political, or military term.

🚫 It should not be a translation or imitation of reputable marks, brands, or third parties.

We ensure your chosen business names are approved quickly through our e-application process so that you can move forward confidently.
Requirements
3 unique business names
Processing Time
1-3 business days

Step 3: Register Your Company's Head Office

Your business address is submitted to the Bahrain Municipality for pre-approval. After the pre-approval lease contract is signed, and the electricity is registered.

Office Options Available

  • Free with our Company Formation Packages
  • Virtual office solutions (BHD 400-800/year)
  • Business center addresses (BHD 1,200/year)
  • Incubation center addresses (BHD 600/year)
  • Traditional office space
  • 20 sqm workshop in industrial areas (BHD 150-200/month)
Requirements
Office photos, lease agreement, electricity bill, building license documentation. Our package are inclusive of free commercial address. We will arrange the requirement and register your business.
Processing Time
4-6 Business days

Step 4: Draft the Deed of Association

The deed of association sets out shareholders’ responsibilities, capital information, and company rules. It comprises 27 articles that define the company’s specifications, shareholder responsibilities, financial capital contributions, and company principles.

Our legal experts will draft the deed of association matching your business structure and commercial companies law of bahrain. Once the draft is completed, it is submitted to the Bahrain Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) through Sijilat for approval and further processing. 

Requirements

The draft should be based on the guidelines provided by the Bahrain Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Click here to view a sample draft.

Processing Time

1 business day.

Step 5: Notarize the Deed of Association

PI Startup Advisory manages complete notary attestation through a public or private notary.

Requirements

  • Physical presence of all shareholders is mandatory
  • Original passports required
  • Power of Attorney if using a representative
  • Passport signatures on the deed of association

Processing Time

1 business day.

Step 6: Open a Company Bank Account

Corporate bank account opening in Bahrain is mandatory as per MOIC Resolution 43 of 2024 for business registration in Bahrain. We can complete your corporate bank account opening in real-time at Al Salam Bank. Once the corporate bank account is opened, the capital amount is deposited, and a capital deposit certificate is obtained.

Requirement

Status
Six-month bank statement in English with bank seal Mandatory
Physical presence of all shareholders at the bank branch Mandatory
Income source documentation (business statements or salary slips) Supportive
Business plan with financial projections Supportive

Processing Time

  • Al Salam Bank: Realtime Account Opening
  • Ithmaar Bank: 5-6 Business days (Online Application)
  • KFH Bank: 3-4 business days
  • National Bank of Bahrain: 5-6 weeks
  • Bank of Bahrain & Kuwait: 1-2 weeks

Step 7: Finalize the Company Registration with MOIC

We submit the deed of association and the capital deposit certificate to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) for final approval. Upon approval, your Commercial Registration (CR) will be declared active/valid, and you can operate legally.

Requirements

  • Notarized Deed of Association
  • Capital deposit certificate (with AML clauses)
  • IBAN certificate

Processing Time

1-2 business days.
finalize the company registration with MOIC

Types of Companies in Bahrain

  • WLL Company Formation in Bahrain (Most Popular)

    Ownership: Local & Foreign (100% foreign allowed)

    Liability: Limited to capital share

    Minimum Capital: No legal minimum

    Best For: SMEs, foreign investors, service businesses, startups

  • Branch of a Foreign Company

    Ownership: 100% Foreign

    Liability: Parent company liable

    Minimum Capital: No capital requirement

    Best For: Market testing, regional expansion, international companies

  • Subsidiary Company

    Ownership: Parent Company

    Liability: Limited to capital share

    Minimum Capital: No legal minimum (BHD 5,000+ recommended)

    Best For: Global Businessness

  • Partnership Company

    Ownership: Local (or GCC partners)

    Liability: Unlimited (joint partners)

    Minimum Capital: No minimum

    Best For: Professional firms, consulting services, small partnerships

  • Public Shareholding Company (BSC)

    Ownership: Local & Foreign

    Liability: Limited to shares

    Minimum Capital: BHD 1,000,000 ($2,650,000 USD)

    Best For: Large-scale operations, public offerings, major corporations

  • Non-Profit Company (WLL)

    Ownership: Local & Foreign

    Liability: Limited

    Minimum Capital: As determined by activity

    Best For: Charitable organizations, foundations, social enterprises, NGOs

  • Closed Shareholding Company (BSC Closed)

    Ownership: Local & Foreign

    Liability: Limited to shares

    Minimum Capital: BHD 250,000 ($662,500 USD)

    Best For: Family businesses, private companies, controlled shareholding

  • Simple Commandite Company

    Ownership: Local only

    Liability:  Unlimited/Limited to Capital

    Minimum Capital: No minimum

    Best For: Partnerships with different responsibility levels, mixed liability needs

  • Commandite by Shares Company

    Ownership: Local only

    Liability: Limited to share capital

    Minimum Capital: BHD 20,000 ($53,000 USD)

    Best For: Local partnerships, share-based structures

Foreign Ownership Regulations in Bahrain

Bahrain classifies commercial business activities based on nationality. Every foreign investor must understand which activities allow 100% foreign ownership and which require a Bahraini partner.

100% Foreign Ownership Allowed

All Nationalities: 379 business activities

American Nationals: 557 business activities

GCC Nationals: 570 business activities

Singaporeans: 391 business activities

Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland: 405 business activities

99.99% Foreign Ownership

177 business activities

49% Foreign Ownership

23 business activities

Foreign Ownership

Bahrain Company Registration Pricing Plans

Understanding the Bahrain company setup cost helps plan your investment accurately. Setting up a company in Bahrain requires budgeting for professional services, office address, and investor residency. All packages are inclusive of VAT.
Sr. Service SilverBHD 1326 GoldBHD 1612 PlatinumBHD 2151
1Consultation in choosing the right company structure✓✓✓
2Company formation without Power of Attorney✗✗✓
3Assistance with initial documentation✓✓✓
4Security clearance from Nationality Passport and Residency Affairs✓✓✓
5MOICT Approval✓✓✓
6Commercial Name Registration✓✓✓
7Commercial License Application✓✓✓
8Commercial Address Approval✓✓✓
9Articles/Deed of Association Draft Submission✓✓✓
10Articles/Deed Notarization✓✓✓
View 18 more services ↓

Bahrain Company Registration Costs

Understanding the Bahrain company setup cost helps plan your investment accurately. Setting up a company in Bahrain requires budgeting for professional services, office address, and investor residency.

  • Business Address Options & Costs

    One Month Office Address: BHD 220 ($590 USD). Inclusive in all service packages

    Full Year Business Center Address: BHD 1,200 ($3,180 USD annually)

    Full Year Incubation Center Address: BHD 600 ($1,590 USD annually)

    Virtual Office Solution: BHD 400-800 ($1,060-$2,120 USD annually)

    20 sqm Workshop in Industrial Areas: BHD 150-200 per month ($398-$530 USD monthly)

    Note: Our packages include a one-month business address at no extra cost.

  • Investor Visa Cost Breakdown

    Investor Residency Government Fee: BHD 172 ($456 USD)

    LMRA Administrative Fee: BHD 10 ($27 USD)

    Post-Residency Medical Test: BHD 20 ($53 USD)

    Identity Card Fee: BHD 149.6 ($396 USD)

    Remote Visa Application: BHD 110 ($292 USD)

    Remote LMRA Registration: BHD 110 ($292 USD)

    Medical & Biometrics Scheduling Assistance: BHD 33 ($87 USD)

  • Professional Service Fee for Registration and Licensing

    Professional services for complete Bahrain company registration from our authorized team.

    Cost: BHD 755 ($2,002 USD)

    Excludes office location, address costs, and government registration fees.

    Note: Our packages include all professional fees, government fees and other expenses related to complete company registration.

    • Note: VAT included where applicable. Each shareholder requires a separate investor visa.

    Client Success Stories

    Why Choose PI Startup Advisory for Company Formation in Bahrain

    Recognized by the Bahrain Ministry of Industry and Commerce as an authorized service provider. Professional body and member of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry with complete compliance expertise.

    Complete track record of successful business setup in Bahrain projects. 100% approval rate across all applications submitted.

    6+ years of deep local knowledge of Bahrain company registration regulations and procedures.

    Strategic Banking Expertise: We assist clients in opening their accounts in real time without any delay or unnecessary procedures.

    Ability to open a corporate bank account in real-time. Direct connections with all major Bahraini banks. 1-2-day account opening with Al Salam Bank, guaranteed through our network.

    Operational expertise with major banks in Bahrain.

    With our Platinum Package, your company formation is handled on a fast-track basis, delivering full setup completion within 11–20 business days.

    With our Platinum Package, your company formation is handled on a fast-track basis, delivering full setup completion within 11–20 business days.

    Why Choose Pi Startup

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Company formation in Bahrain costs BHD 1326. This cost includes Office address, professional fees, and government fees.

    Can a foreigner set up a company in Bahrain?

    Yes. Bahrain company registration for foreigners allows 100% ownership in 379+ business activities. No local sponsor required. Process takes 11-40 business days. All foreign investors receive a 2-year renewable investor residency.

    Is Bahrain a good place to start a business?

    Yes, Bahrain is an excellent place to start a business. You enjoy 0% corporate tax, 0% personal income tax, and a very smooth setup process. Most companies are fully registered within 11–20 business days, and bank accounts typically open in realtime after signing deed of assocciation. 

    What is a WLL in Bahrain?

    The meaning of WLL is With Limited Liability, a company with limited liability. In Gulf countries, the word “WLL” refers to a limited liability company. In the Kingdom of Bahrain, a WLL company is a limited liability company with no restriction on the number of shareholders.

    How to form a company in Bahrain?

    The following are the steps to form a company in Bahrain

    • Step # 1: Obtain Security Clearance
    • Step # 2: Reserve Your Commercial Name
    • Step # 3: Register Your Company’s Head Office
    • Step # 4: Draft the Deed of Association
    • Step # 5: Notarize the Deed of Association
    • Step # 6: Open a Company Bank Account
    • Step # 7: Finalize the Company Registration with MOIC

    Which is the best business to start in Bahrain?

    Bahrain is an excellent market for fintech, IT, data processing, and AI services due to its advanced banking sector, strong telecom infrastructure, and supportive regulatory framework. The country’s lenient policies, 100% foreign ownership, and innovation-friendly Central Bank make it especially attractive for technology-driven international businesses.

    What are the types of CR in Bahrain?

    As per the commercial companies law, the following are the 8 types of companies:

    • General Partnership Company
    • Limited Partnership Company
    • Association in Participation (Joint Venture)
    • Shareholding Company
    • Limited Partnership by Shares
    • Limited Liability Company
    • Single Person Company
    • Holding Company