MANAMA —
Bahrain announced Monday the creation of
long-term visas for foreigners in an effort to "boost the economy",
following in the footsteps of some of its Gulf neighbors.
اضافة اعلان
With just over half of its 1.7 million population made up of
foreigners, Bahrain is seen as a hub for professional expatriates, like much of
the Gulf region.
Amid volatility in
oil prices, many of the region's
countries have been seeking to diversify their economies away from dependence
on fossil fuels, and have in turn relaxed immigration procedures in a bid to
attract talent.
Dubbed the "golden residence", the new Bahraini
visa can be allocated to those who receive a salary of at least 2,000 Bahraini
dinars (about $5,300) or pensioners with an income of 4,000 dinars, the
interior ministry said.
Those who own properties worth at least 200,000 dinars are
also eligible to receive the golden residence, as well "talented"
individuals, the ministry added.
The visa offers 10 years of residency in the kingdom, which
can be renewed "indefinitely", provided certain criteria are met.
"The golden residency, which comes within the economic
recovery plan, ... will contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of the
Kingdom of Bahrain and supporting development paths," the ministry said,
adding that it would "attract talent".
The move echoes a similar one taken by the
UAE, which in
late 2020 also announced the creation of a "golden residence" of 10
years for doctors, PhD holders, and engineers.
This was followed by the "green visa" in September
2021, which allows UAE residents to work without direct visa sponsorship by
their employers, in what is known as the "kafala" system that is
common throughout the region.
Similarly, gas-rich
Qatar announced in late 2020 that
property or business owners would be granted the right to residence permits.
Oman also announced in the summer of 2021 a long-term
residence permit for investors in a bid to boost its economy.
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