Dependent sponsorship salary minimum increases

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The minimum net income required for foreign nationals to sponsor dependent family members on residence permits has risen significantly.

What does the change mean? Employees must have a net income of at least 400 Bahraini dinars per month (about US$1,060) to sponsor a spouse or dependent child on a residence permit.

• Implementation time frame: Ongoing. The change was implemented Jan. 1.
• Visas/permits affected: Residence permits for spouses and dependent family members.
• Who is affected: Foreign work permit holders and their dependent family members.
• Business impact: The increase may limit those who are able to sponsor family members for residence.

Background: Under the previous criteria, expatriate employees could sponsor family members provided they had a net income of at least 250 dinars per month. That threshold has now increased 60 percent to 400 dinars per month. Additional criteria for sponsoring family members are available on this Bharaini government site.

BAL Analysis: Employers and individuals should factor in the changes when planning assignments. The increase only affects applications submitted on or after Jan. 1 and has no impact on foreign nationals who held work permits issued before the change took effect.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Bahrain. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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