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Arab Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
What You Should Know About Bahrain's Golden Visa—Flexible, Affordable, Powerful
MANAMA, July 16: Bahrain's Golden Residency Visa is emerging as a powerful alternative to Gulf-based long-term residency programs, offering greater freedom, lower costs, and access to full residency rights for professionals, investors, retirees, and high achievers from around the world. Launched as part of Bahrain's Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy, the program offers a renewable 10-year residency permit, enabling foreign nationals to reside, work, invest, and sponsor family members without requiring employer-based sponsorship. Eligibility Categories Bahrain's Golden Visa targets five main applicant groups: Employees: Individuals who have lived in Bahrain for at least five years and earn a minimum of BHD 2,000 (USD 5,300) per month. Property Owners: Investors who own real estate worth BHD 200,000 (USD 530,000) or more. Retirees: Bahrain residents with 15+ years of residence and pensions of at least BHD 2,000/month are eligible; for non-resident retirees, the threshold is BHD 4,000/month. Talented Individuals: Artists, scientists, athletes, and entrepreneurs recognized for significant achievements may be nominated by a Bahraini government body. Key Benefits Golden Residency holders enjoy: Full residency rights including the ability to live, work, or invest in Bahrain. No employer sponsorship required, making it easier to change jobs or operate a business. Family sponsorship, including spouses, children, and even parents. No minimum stay requirement, though 90 days per year is advised to maintain active status. Access to national ID (CPR), banking, education, and healthcare services. Eligibility to apply for a work permit through Bahrain's LMRA for a nominal additional fee Application Process and Costs Applications can be submitted through the official Golden Residency portal or Bahrain's Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA) platform. Initial application fee: BHD 5 Visa issuance fee: BHD 300 LMRA work permit fee (if required): BHD 172 + BHD 5 monthly admin fee Processing time: Typically 5 working days for salaried and property applicants; up to 10 for talent-based cases Private agents suggest total costs, including medical, legal, and insurance documents, range between BHD 2,000–3,000, depending on the applicant's profile. International observers note that Bahrain's visa is more cost-effective and flexible than similar schemes in the UAE or Qatar, especially for digital nomads, entrepreneurs, or retirees seeking a Gulf base without the high overhead. 'This is one of the few residency programs in the region where applicants can work, invest, and live freely without being locked to a sponsor,' said a Gulf migration advisor. 'Bahrain is positioning itself as a hub for talent and innovation. The government has encouraged eligible individuals to explore the program as a long-term opportunity to contribute to Bahrain's economic development while enjoying secure residency in one of the Gulf's most welcoming environments.
India.com
6 days ago
- Business
- India.com
Move Over UAE: Why Bahrain's Golden Residency Is The New Favourite For Indians – Benefits, Eligibility & How To Apply
New Delhi: More Indians are turning their eyes toward Bahrain, not Dubai, for long-term residency in the Gulf. While the buzz still hovers over Dubai's skyline and the UAE's glitzy Golden Visa, Manama is drawing a different kind of crowd – those who want fewer restrictions, lower costs and simpler rules. Professionals. Entrepreneurs. Retirees. Some already based in the Gulf. Others watching from cities like Bengaluru and Pune. They are looking at Bahrain's 10-year Golden Residency with new eyes. It is not wrapped in glamour. But it is built for staying. Built for living. The visa came into being in 2022, stitched into Bahrain's long-term economic plan, Vision 2030. The goal was stability. A residency path that welcomes not only investors, but thinkers, scientists, educators and creative talent. One that lets families breathe a little easier. The money ask? Modest, especially by Gulf standards. A monthly income of BHD 2,000 (Rs 4.6 lakh) if you have lived in Bahrain for five years. A property worth BHD 200,000 (Rs 4.6 crore) if you are an owner. Retirees need to show an income of BHD 4,000 (Rs 9.1 lakh). There is also space for highly skilled people if Bahrain's ministries think you have got something valuable to offer. For many Indians working in the Gulf, the fine print is what makes the difference. Bahrain's visa does not get cancelled if you stay abroad for too long. There is no rush to buy property. You do not lose the visa if you switch jobs or decide to take a break. The entire family, parents, spouse and children, can be brought in under the same umbrella. Cost of living? Calmer than Dubai. Rent is lower. Schools and hospitals do not burn through your wallet. Daily life feels less like a hustle, more like home. There are no city-wide status races. Only quiet ambition. Applying is simple, too. No agents. No queues. Just the official NPRA portal. The steps are straightforward: Step one: Match the criteria. Income, property, years in Bahrain – any one of those. Step two: Collect your papers. A passport, some bank statements, a medical test and ID if you are already a resident. Step three: Fill the form on Choose the Golden Residency option. Step four: Pay the fee. It varies by category. Step five: Wait. If they need more info, they will email you. Step six: Once cleared, you get your digital visa and residence permit. You are now free to sponsor your family. There is no shouting match between Bahrain and the UAE. But those who have done their homework are beginning to move. Many quietly. Some with families. Others with startups in their briefcase. The Gulf dream is not one-size-fits-all anymore. And for Indians who value flexibility over flash, Bahrain might just be the quieter and smarter door to walk through.
New Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Whitening creams with mercury, banned substances still sold online
KUALA LUMPUR: Mercury-laced cosmetics and other products containing harmful chemicals are still being openly sold online, despite repeated warnings and bans by health authorities. These items, Utusan Malaysia reported, often marketed as whitening creams, moisturisers and facial cleansers—contain banned substances such as hydroquinone, mercury, tretinoin, and even prescription drugs like dexamethasone, chlorpheniramine, and sibutramine, which can damage internal organs and the nervous system. The report added that many of the products have had their approval withdrawn by the Health Ministry but remain available on e-commerce platforms and social media. Listings often omit valid Health Ministry notification numbers and use fake testimonials to attract buyers—particularly young women. Some continue receiving customer reviews even after being blacklisted. Checks by Utusan Malaysia found that several products contained dangerous scheduled poisons that can harm the kidneys, liver, adrenal glands and brain. The National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) confirmed these products have been delisted, making their sale and distribution illegal under Malaysian law. From 2018 to early 2023, the Health Ministry seized over RM3.84 million worth of unauthorised health and beauty products. In 2024 alone, 12 cosmetics containing scheduled poisons were banned. An industry source said many of these products are imported in bulk from Thailand and China before being repackaged and sold locally. "These products come in grades A to D. Most sellers choose Grade C because it's cheap and allows mass production. With just RM1,500, they can produce 5,000 bottles," the source said. Despite low production costs, these products are often sold at high prices—sometimes hundreds of ringgit per bottle—yielding large profits while endangering consumers. Adibah Aliah, 21, said her skin was severely damaged after using a whitening product containing mercury. "My skin became white and smooth in a week, but after a few months, it turned sensitive, broke out, and started peeling," she said. "I now need regular dermatology treatment costing hundreds of ringgit a month. I'm too scared to use anything without expert advice." Pharmacist Nurul Nabilah Hussain warned that mercury and tretinoin can cause lasting harm. "Mercury can enter the bloodstream and damage the kidneys and brain. Long-term use may cause numbness and mental health problems. In pregnant women, it can affect foetal development," she said. She urged stricter enforcement and better monitoring of online platforms. "Authorities must ramp up enforcement and improve online surveillance," she said, adding that consumers should always verify product safety on the NPRA website. "Avoid any product that lacks clear safety information," she said.
Zawya
01-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Bahrain: 139 more deported in LMRA clampdown
Bahrain - A total of 741 inspection visits and joint campaigns were held over the past week as part of a major national campaign to stamp out labour and residency violations. According to the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), 729 inspection visits were held from June 22 to 28 in addition to 12 joint campaigns, leading to the identification of 19 irregular workers and the deportation of 139 expats. The joint inspections were held in co-operation with the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA), the respective governorate's police directorate, the Coastguard, the Social Insurance Organisation and the Supreme Council for Environment. Campaigns This time around, most of the joint campaigns were focused on the Southern Governorate with five, followed by the Northern Governorate (three), and the Capital Governorate and Muharraq Governorate (two each). Since January last year, 81,795 inspection visits and 1,151 joint campaigns have been conducted, resulting in the identification of 3,226 violations and the deportation of 9,631 irregular workers. LMRA affirmed that it will continue to co-ordinate with government agencies to intensify inspection campaigns in all the governorates of the kingdom. It also reiterated its commitment to address any violations or practices that negatively affect the stability and competitiveness of the labour market or harm the country's economic and social security. People are being urged to report illegal labour practices and violations via the website by calling 17506055 or via the government's suggestions and complaints system, Tawasul. In recent years, Bahrain has enforced tough new regulations to prevent the misuse of tourist visas and to ensure those seeking employment arrive with proper work permits issued by their employers. These measures also aim to provide job opportunities for Bahrainis and reduce unemployment by supporting citizens as the first choice for employers. LMRA chief executive Nibras Talib earlier told MPs that the introduction of the new rules has had a huge impact, with the incidence of tourist or visit visas being converted into work permits dropping by more than 87 per cent. Under the new rules, a visit visa can no longer be converted into a work or dependent visa without a sponsor. However, visit visas with a sponsor can be transferred to a work or dependent visa for a revised fee of BD250, instead of the previous BD60, only if it is for the same sponsor. Copyright 2022 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
New Straits Times
24-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
FRIM empowers local herbal entrepreneurs through HTC
KUALA LUMPUR: The Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) is committed to empowering and assisting small and medium entrepreneurs to seize opportunities in the herbal industry, which is expected to have a global market reach of RM1.6 trillion by 2030. FRIM said this included support services offered at its Herbal Technology Centre (HTC), which was established in 2005 and had received the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification. It added that HTC is capable of providing contract manufacturing services to herbal entrepreneurs, and has been recognised as a BioNexus Partner laboratory by BioEconomy Corporation and a National Pharmacy Regulatory Division (NPRA) Manufacturing Licence holder since 2011, and is now a major reference centre in the industry. "HTC has also obtained various certifications, including the GMP for Food (MS 1480:2020), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)(MS 1514:2009), TQCSI HACCP Code: 2022 as well as the halal certification from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia for pharmaceutical contract manufacturing. "The main strengths of HTC include its integrity as a government agency capable of safeguarding the intellectual property rights of customers, well-equipped facilities, strategic positioning, value-added services in terms of technical advisory services and research and development," FRIM said in a statement yesterday. FRIM said that since 2016, HTC has provided 2,048 types of services to over 500 clients, in addition to generating income of over RM2.56 million for FRIM. "During that period, a total of 30 herbal products were also registered with NPRA, while over 223,000 units of registered products were released to the market, with the overall value estimated at over RM19 million, thus proving the crucial role played by FRIM in assisting the economic growth of local entrepreneurs," it said. FRIM director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Parlan was quoted as saying that this effort would be continued to ensure more herbal entrepreneurs can produce quality, safe and competitive products for the domestic and international markets. "With increased demand for herbal-based products and awareness of consumers regarding healthy lifestyles, FRIM, through HTC, is ready to play a strategic role in developing the country's herbal industry in a sustainable and high-impact manner," he said. According to FRIM, the market for natural products in Malaysia was estimated to be valued at over RM5 billion in 2023, and it is expected to continue to grow. "The high demand for plant-based products, including health supplements, functional food and traditional medicines, encourages many local entrepreneurs to produce their own products. However, various constraints in terms of legal compliance and the high cost of building GMP-status facilities become a challenge," it said. FRIM added that, based on the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984, all herbal products with health claims in Malaysia must be registered with NPRA and the Ministry of Health (MOH) to ensure safety and quality. "Unregistered products can be a danger to consumers, as proven by the seizure of more than 70,000 illegal traditional and cosmetic products worth RM10.1 million by the MOH in November 2024," it said. – BERNAMA
