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Your Bahrain Company, Registered and Operational in 11-21 Days

For foreign investors and non-residents setting up a WLL, SPC, or Branch Office in Bahrain.

PI Startup Advisory provides end-to-end company registration services in Bahrain for foreign investors and non-residents. We coordinate every government step on your behalf - from shareholder verification to Commercial Registration issuance. Three service packages are available, starting from BHD 1,326 inclusive of VAT. Most clients are operational within 11-40 working days depending on the package selected.

For a complete guide to the government process, see our complete guide to company formation in Bahrain.
1,000+ Registrations Since 2019 | MOIC Authorised | CR: 132948-01 | Remote Setup Available

What You Will Have After Registration

Most investors come to us with one question: “What will I actually have at the end?” Here is the complete answer.

By completing your company registration through PI Startup Advisory, you receive:

  • A Commercial Licence with 100% foreign ownership: registered under your name, valid for one year, renewable annually.
  • A Corporate Bank Account: opened and activated with your preferred institution.
  • Investor Residency for you, your spouse, and children: two-year renewable permit available.
  • 2 Work Permits for your employees: initial LMRA quota included.
  • A Commercial Address: registered office address included in all packages.
  • Sales Tax (VAT) Registration: included in the Platinum package, available as an add-on.
  • Personal Bank Account in multiple currencies: available with Gold and Platinum packages.

This is not a list of promises. These are the documented deliverables our team coordinates across every standard registration engagement.

What's Included — The Service Scope

Our business setup service covers every administrative deliverable required to get you trading:
  • Shareholder eligibility coordination

    Shareholder eligibility coordination via security clearance from Nationality, Passport and Residency Affairs

  • Commercial name reservation

    Commercial name reservation — three options prepared and submitted according to your preference

  • Registered office address

    Registered office address — a commercial address for registration is included in all packages

  • MOA and AOA preparation

    MOA and AOA preparation — professional drafting of your Articles or Deed of Association

  • Notarisation coordination

    Notarisation coordination — smooth legal navigation during the signing process

  • Bank introduction and application preparation

    Bank introduction and application preparation for corporate and personal multi-currency accounts

  • CR application submission and follow-up

    CR application submission and follow-up with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce

  • Post-registration LMRA and investor visa coordination

    Post-registration LMRA and investor visa coordination for residency and work permit compliance

Who This Service Is For

  • Foreign Entrepreneurs

    Individuals looking to register a company in Bahrain with 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax, and no requirement for a local partner.

  • GCC-Based Investors

    Businesses in the region seeking a strategic gateway to the $2.25 trillion GCC market with prime access to Saudi Arabia.

  • Non-Resident and Remote Investors

    UK, European, and international investors who need a fully compliant business environment without travelling to Bahrain. Our Platinum package is designed specifically for this profile.

Choose the Package That Fits Your Timeline

What most investors get wrong is treating all registration services as equivalent. Timeline, inclusions, and support depth vary significantly. Here is an honest breakdown of what each package delivers.
Service Silver — BHD 1,326 Gold — BHD 1,612 Platinum — BHD 2,151
Timeline 35–40 business days 25–30 business days 11–20 business days
Consultation on company structure ✓ ✓ ✓
Initial documentation assistance ✓ ✓ ✓
Security clearance coordination ✓ ✓ ✓
Commercial name registration ✓ ✓ ✓
MOA / Deed of Association preparation ✓ ✓ ✓
Notarisation coordination ✓ ✓ ✓
Corporate bank account assistance ✓ ✓ ✓
Commercial licence (1 year) ✓ ✓ ✓
Chamber of Commerce membership (1 year) ✓ ✓ ✓
Business centre address (1 month) ✓ ✓ ✓
Company seal — ✓ ✓
Corporate bank account activation — ✓ ✓
Chamber of Commerce card — ✓ ✓
Multi-currency personal bank account — ✓ ✓
Tax and LMRA compliance guidance — ✓ ✓
Electronic key registration — ✓ ✓
Formation without Power of Attorney — — ✓
Online banking setup assistance — — ✓
Corporate debit card issuance — — ✓
VAT (Sales Tax) registration — — ✓
Monthly LMRA fee handling — — ✓
PO Box for mail — — ✓
Meeting room access (2 hrs/month, 1 year) — — ✓
Visit visa — — ✓
Printing and scanning — — ✓


All prices are inclusive of VAT. Government fees are included. Contact us to confirm which package suits your activity and shareholder structure.

Which package is right for you?

  • Silver

    Silver suits investors with a flexible timeline who need the fundamentals handled correctly. No shortcuts — the full registration is completed, just without the accelerated processing and premium extras.

  • Gold

    Gold suits investors who want faster turnaround, bank account activation, and the compliance guidance to keep the company running properly after registration.

  • Platinum

    Platinum suits investors who cannot or prefer not to travel to Bahrain, need the fastest possible timeline, or want a fully operational setup — banking, VAT, LMRA, address, and communications — ready on day one.

How the Process Works - From Your Side

We do not start writing until we understand your business, your audience, and your objective. The process is structured to avoid the most common problem with outsourced business plans: a polished document that does not reflect the actual business.

Step 1: Security Clearance

Provide passport copies for all shareholders, directors, and authorised signatories. Complete the onboarding documents we send you — Service Request Form, KYC form, Authorisation Letter, and Engagement Letter.

Step 2: Name Reservation

Provide three company name options ranked by preference. We review them for compliance before submission and advise on any names likely to face rejection.

Step 3: Draft Compilation & Internal Review (Day 5–8)

Sign the lease agreement — we provide this. Your registered office address is included in all packages. No need to source your own premises before registration begins.

Step 4: Visiting Bahrain (Silver and Gold packages)

For Silver and Gold packages, a visit to Bahrain is required for bank account opening. You will need: original bank statements (6 months, bank-stamped on each page) and a two to three page business summary. Platinum package clients complete this step remotely — no travel required.

Step 5: Capital Deposit

Transfer the declared capital amount plus BHD 11 certificate fee to your corporate bank account. This confirms financial commitment and enables final Commercial Registration issuance.

Documents Required From You

The question we hear before every engagement: "What exactly do I need to send you?"
    • Passport copies of all shareholders, directors, and authorised signatories
    • Completed onboarding forms (we provide templates)
    • Original personal bank statements – 6 months, bank-stamped on every page
    • Business summary: 2-3 pages covering your current business, nature of operations in Bahrain, 12-month sales forecast, countries of operation, potential customers and suppliers, and expected wire transfer volumes
    • Source of income documentation – salary slip, employment contract, or business licence (supportive, not always mandatory)
    • Attested parent company Commercial Registration certificate
    • Attested parent company Memorandum of Association
    • Attested board resolution authorising the Bahrain subsidiary
    • Attested board resolution appointing the authorised manager
    • Audit report, if available

Investor Residency - What It Costs

Every shareholder of a registered Bahrain company qualifies for investor residency. Here is what it costs - with no line items hidden.

For full eligibility details, see our investor visa coordination page.
Item Cost (BHD, incl. VAT)
Investor Residency Fee – 1 Year BHD 195 (As of Jan 2026)
Investor Residency Fee – 2 Years BHD 390 (As of Jan 2026)
Remote Residency Application BHD 110
LMRA Admin Fee BHD 10
Remote LMRA Registration BHD 110
Medical Examination for Investors BHD 53
Identity Card (CPR) with Address BHD 150
Total – 1 Year Residency BHD 628
Total – 2 Year Residency BHD 823
Requirements: Wafid Medical Report (appointment required), passport-size photograph, and cancellation of any active Bahrain visit visa.

Family residency is available for spouse and dependents. Per dependent: government fee BHD 90, admin fee BHD 5, application fee BHD 55. Marriage certificate required for spouse, birth certificate for children.

Ongoing Costs After Registration

Most advisories tell you what registration costs. Few tell you what comes after. Here is what to budget for once your company is operational.
  • Monthly Recurring Costs
    •  LMRA monthly fee: BHD 7.5 (As of Jan 2026) per investor and employee
    • GOSI: 4% of employee salary (not applicable to investors or dependents)
    • Municipality fee: 10% of lease contract value
  • Annual Renewals
    • Commercial licence renewal: BHD 166 (excl. service charges). Active office address required at time of renewal.
    • Investor and employee residency renewal: BHD 172 per person for 12 months (excl. service charges)
    • Financial audit: Required from the third fiscal year onwards

Why Investors Choose PI Startup Advisory

Direct portal access through MOIC Professional Body status We submit applications directly through the Sijilat portal - not through intermediaries. This is why Platinum package timelines consistently reach 11-20 days rather than the 4-6 weeks common in the market.

1,000+ applications processed since 2019 We have processed every edge case - rejected names, complex corporate shareholder structures, sector-specific licensing requirements, and banking complications. When something unusual comes up, we have handled it before.

Bank matching before you apply Account opening timelines vary significantly across Bahrain's major commercial banks. We match your nationality, activity, and transaction profile to the right institution before you submit a single document. The wrong bank choice adds weeks to your timeline. This conversation happens at the first consultation.

For more on our corporate bank account in Bahrain service, see the dedicated page.

One team, start to finish The advisors coordinating your registration also handle your investor visa and banking. No handoffs. No gaps. The same team is accountable throughout.

Client Scenarios

  • Technology Consultant - United Kingdom

    Needed a WLL registered within three weeks for a contract deadline. We completed the Platinum registration in 14 working days, including corporate bank account activation.

  • Manufacturing Subsidiary - GCC

    Required a branch office with 100% ownership to access the Saudi market. We secured the commercial licence and investor residency within 25 days.

After Registration - What We Continue to Handle

Company registration is the beginning. Here is what we continue to coordinate for our clients:
  • Commercial Registration renewals

    Annual licence renewal handled before expiry

  • Residency renewals

    Investor and employee permit renewals coordinated on schedule

  • Corporate Bank Account Opening

    Additional accounts as business grows

  • Amendments to company structure

    Activity changes, shareholder amendments, manager appointments

  • Transfer of shares

    Ownership changes handled through the correct regulatory process

  • VAT assistance

    Registration, filing support, and compliance guidance

Most of our clients remain with us beyond the initial registration. We are structured as a long-term advisory partner — not a one-time registration service.

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the package. Silver and Gold packages require a visit to Bahrain for bank account opening — you will need original bank statements and a business summary for that trip. The Platinum package is designed for full remote setup, with no travel required. Notarisation is coordinated through a Power of Attorney for remote clients.

Which package should I choose?

If your timeline is flexible and you want the fundamentals covered correctly, Silver is sufficient. If you need the company operational within four weeks or want bank account activation and compliance guidance included, Gold is the more practical choice. If you cannot travel to Bahrain or need the fastest possible setup with a fully operational infrastructure, Platinum is the right package.

What language do you deliver the plan in?

All plans are written and delivered in English. Arabic translations are available and recommended for LMRA submissions and certain banking institutions that prefer Arabic documentation. Arabic translations are prepared by certified translators with expertise in financial and regulatory terminology. Translation is priced separately and typically adds 2–3 business days to the timeline.

What documents do I need to provide?

For individual shareholders: passport copies, six months of personal bank statements (original, bank-stamped), a two to three page business summary, and onboarding forms we provide. For corporate shareholders: attested parent company registration, memorandum of association, and relevant board resolutions. We send a precise checklist after the initial consultation.

What are the ongoing costs after registration?

Plan for LMRA monthly fees of BHD 5 per investor and employee, commercial licence renewal at BHD 166 per year, and residency renewal at BHD 172 per person annually. From the third year, a financial audit is required. We walk through these costs at the initial consultation so there are no surprises.

Can you handle investor residency at the same time as registration?

Yes. Investor residency coordination runs in parallel with registration once the Commercial Registration is confirmed. One-year residency totals BHD 605 inclusive of all fees. Two-year residency totals BHD 777. Family residency for spouse and children is also available and can be coordinated at the same stage.

What is not included in the service?

All three packages cover the core registration process. What falls outside standard scope includes: sector-specific licences from regulatory bodies such as the Central Bank of Bahrain or the National Health Regulatory Authority, annual bookkeeping and accounting, and statutory audits. These are available as separate services. We will tell you at the initial consultation if your activity requires additional approvals beyond standard registration.