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Bahrain CR Activities 2026: Ownership Rules, Registration Types & the Complete Classification Guide
Bahrain has 416 approved business activities in the MOIC commercial registry. Each activity carries its own rules — on who can own it, what percentage foreigners can hold, which nationalities get expanded rights under free trade agreements, and what type of company structure is required to register it.
Understanding where your intended activity sits within this classification is the first practical step in any company formation. Get it wrong and you either restrict your ownership unnecessarily, or discover mid-application that your activity requires a Bahraini partner you hadn't planned for.
This page maps the full classification system. The sub-pages below each category contain the complete MOIC-verified activity lists.
Understanding where your intended activity sits within this classification is the first practical step in any company formation. Get it wrong and you either restrict your ownership unnecessarily, or discover mid-application that your activity requires a Bahraini partner you hadn't planned for.
This page maps the full classification system. The sub-pages below each category contain the complete MOIC-verified activity lists.
WhatsApp: +973 1311 8811 | Email: info@pistartup.co
Classification of CR Activities By Ownership Rights
Ministry of Industry & Commerce Bahrain has set CR Ownership rules classifying business activities. These rules define which business activity a specific nationality can practice. Following are the CR Activities classifications according to Ownership Rights
- Allowed up to 100% for GCC Nationals
- Allowed up to 100% for Americans
- Allowed up to 100% for Singaporean
- Allowed up to 100% for Icelander, Liechtensteiner, Norwegian, Swiss
- Allowed up to 100% for Foreigners
- Foreign ownership equal to or less than 49%
- Foreign ownership allowed, but must include a Bahraini shareholder
Allowed up to 100% for Foreigners
The Kingdom of Bahrain is aggressively implementing investor-friendly policies to attract foreign investors. Bahrain has allowed 379 CR Activities for foreign investors. To practice such activities there is no requirement of a local partner, director or, authorized signatory.
Click here to see the list of CR activities Allowed up to 100% for foreigners.
Foreign ownership equal to or less than 49%
No doubt foreign investment has a positive impact on a country’s economy. However, it can also disturb the local investors. Keeping that in view Bahrain has specified 23 major business activities where at least 51% local ownership is required.
Click here to see the list of CR Activities with Foreign ownership equal to or less than 49%
Allowed up to 100% for Singaporean
Bahrain has the strategic relations with Singapore since 1978. Both countries share many similarities such as geography, market size, and the focused sector. Bahrain has allowed 391 business activities to Singapore nationals without the need for a local partner.
Click here to see the list of CR activities Allowed up to 100% for Singaporeans.
Allowed up to 100% for Icelander, Liechtensteiner, Norwegian, Swiss
Bahrain allows 100% ownership to Icelander, Liechtensteiner, Norwegian, and Swiss nationals for 405 CR business activities.
Allowed up to 100% for GCC Nationals
Supporting Gulf alliance Bahrain has allowed 570 business activities to fellow GCC nationals. These Business activities can be practiced by any GCC citizen without a local partner.
Click here to see the list of CR activities Allowed up to 100% for GCC Nationals
Allowed up to 100% for Americans
The Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States of America are allies since 1971. Both countries cooperate for economic, geopolitical, and defense interests. Bahrain has allowed 557 CR activities for American citizens. To practice these business activities American citizens do not require any local partner.
Click here to see the list of CR activities allowed 100% for Americans
Foreign ownership allowed, but must include a Bahraini shareholder
On 25 September 2021 Ministry of Industry & Commerce set new rules for CR Activities. 177 CR Activities are allowed to Foreign investors with a requirement of a local partner, regardless of ownership percentage.
Previously, to practice these 177 CR activities a foreign investor was required to have a 51% Bahraini partner. Now the requirement has been changed. A local partner is required regardless of its ownership percentage. It can be 0.1% or even less.
Classification of CR Activities By Registration Type
Ministry of Industry & Commerce Bahrain has also set rules classifying business activities by Registration Type. These rules define which registration type is required to practice a specific business activity. Following is the CR Activities classification according to the required Registration Type: Sijili.
ICR (Individual Commercial Registration).
CCR (Company Commercial Registration.
ICR (Individual Commercial Registration).
CCR (Company Commercial Registration.
Sijili
Considering the evolution of the freelancing market, Bahrain has brought the local freelancers under the umbrella of MOIC. The main feature of Sijili is it does not require a physical address. Bahrain has allowed 42 CR Activities to its citizens for Sijili registration.
Here is the list of CR activities allowed for Sijili registration
ICR
There are 542 business activities allowed for ICR (Individual Commercial Registration / Individual Establishments).
CCR
There are 595 business activities allowed for CCR (Commercial Companies Registration).
Click here to view the list of CR activities allowed for CCR.
What the Ownership Classifications Mean in Practice
The ownership rules on this page come from MOIC and are applied at the activity selection stage during Sijilat registration. Here is what each category actually means for your company formation:
100% Foreign - Open Activities (379 activities)
No local partner, no Bahraini director, no nationality restriction. You can be the sole owner, register a single-shareholder WLL, and hold the investor visa as the sole shareholder. This covers most professional services, technology, consulting, and trading activities.
49% Cap - Restricted Activities (23 major categories)
A Bahraini national must hold majority shares (minimum 51%). However, the rules changed in September 2021 – the Bahraini partner can now hold a nominal stake (even 0.1%) as long as they are a genuine shareholder on record. This is a significant change from the old requirement of a genuine 51% Bahraini majority.
Must Include a Bahraini Shareholder (177 activities)
Different from the 49% category – here the requirement is presence, not percentage. A Bahraini shareholder must be on the register, but the ownership split can be as low as 0.1% Bahraini. This was updated by MOIC on 25 September 2021.
FTA-Expanded Activities (Singaporean, American, EFTA, GCC)
Certain nationalities get access to a broader list under bilateral free trade agreements. Singapore nationals get 391 activities, Americans get 557, EFTA nationals (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) get 405, and GCC nationals get 570. If you hold one of these passports, confirm which expanded list applies before assuming you need a partner.
How to Check Your Activity's Status
The fastest way to confirm your specific activity’s ownership classification:
- Go to sijilat.bh
- Click “CR Activities” or use the activity search
- Search by activity name or ISIC code
- The result shows ownership type, registration type, and any special conditions
If you are unsure which ISIC code covers your planned business, contact PI Startup Advisory before starting the application. Selecting the wrong activity code is one of the most common reasons applications stall or require resubmission.
From Activity Selection to Company Formation
Choosing your activity is step one. After that, the registration process runs through 7 steps through MOIC’s Sijilat portal. For the full process, timelines, fees, and document requirements, read our company formation in Bahrain guide.
If you already know your activity and want to proceed, contact us for a free consultation or call +973 1311 8811.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CR Activity?
In Bahrain “CR Activity” or “Commercial Registration activity” refers to economic activity a business undertakes. These activities are based on the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC4).
What Bahrain CR Activities are allowed for expats/foreigners?
There are 379 CR (business) activities that foreigners can operate in Bahrain without a local sponsor. Click here to view the list.
What Bahrain CR Activities are allowed for expats/foreigners?
Around 90% of the company formation procedure can be done virtually. However, Personal presence is required to open company bank account.
What Business Activities in Bahrain are allowed for the Americans?
The Kingdom of Bahrain has a discrete policy for American citizens. There are 557 business activities that American citizens can own 100%.
How can I register a business in Bahrain.
The Kingdom of Bahrain is a paradise for ex-pats and foreign investors. Company formation is the way to register a business in Bahrain.
