At a glance
- Local name
- Commercial Registration (Sijilat)
- Country
- Bahrain
- Process steps
- 8
- Fee items
- 10
- Online portals
- 3
- FAQs
- 8
- Pitfalls covered
- 8
- Last verified
- 2026-06
What is Commercial Registration (Sijilat) in Bahrain?
The Commercial Registration (CR) is Bahrain's business licence, administered by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (often referred to by its current MOICT abbreviation) through the Sijilat portal at sijilat.bh. The CR is the legal anchor for everything a business does in Bahrain: opening a bank account, sponsoring employees through LMRA, registering for VAT, leasing premises, and importing goods. The portal has matured significantly since its 2018 launch and now handles the full lifecycle (incorporation, amendments, branches, renewal, deregistration) almost entirely online for most activity categories.
Bahrain stands out in the GCC for its liberal foreign ownership rules. As of 2026, 100% foreign ownership is permitted in the vast majority of commercial and professional activities (over 600 activities by MOICT's published count), including most retail, wholesale, professional services, technology, hospitality, and manufacturing. Restricted activities (some banking, insurance, education, healthcare, defence-related) still require a Bahraini partner or specific regulator clearance. The activity-code system in Sijilat flags any sector restrictions or required clearances as the founder selects codes during the file setup.
Each CR carries one or more activity codes that drive everything downstream. Some codes are 'security' or 'professional' and need clearances from regulators: the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) for financial services and crypto; the Ministry of Health for clinics, pharmacies, and medical-device imports; the Bahrain Food and Beverage authority for food handling; the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority for ISPs and tower companies; the Ministry of Justice for legal services; and the Civil Aviation Authority for drone and aviation activities. A 'simple' CR with one or two unregulated activities can issue in 2 to 3 weeks; a CR with regulated activities can run 1 to 3 months because the regulator step is variable.
Legal forms in Bahrain include the Single Person Company (SPC, used for solo founders, capped at certain capital and activity scopes), the With Limited Liability company (WLL, the workhorse for SMEs with 2 or more shareholders), the Bahraini Shareholding Company Closed (BSC closed, used for larger private companies), the Bahraini Shareholding Company Public (BSC public, listed on Bahrain Bourse), and various Partnership and branch forms for foreign companies. Most expat founders use the SPC for solo bootstrap ventures and the WLL for any partnership or institutional setup. Minimum capital is light for most activities; specific sectors (some financial services) carry higher floors.
Renewal is annual and is filed entirely on Sijilat. The fee depends on the activities listed; basic single-activity CRs renew for BHD 20 to BHD 50 plus any sectoral regulator fees. Renewal is blocked by any open regulator hold (CBB warning, MOH inspection finding, EWA arrears in some cases) and by unpaid municipality fees. Late renewal carries a fine and prolonged lapses can lead to deregistration, at which point reincorporation is a full restart rather than a reinstatement. Many founders miss the renewal because the entity is dormant; the rule applies regardless of activity level.
Two practical complications surface frequently for foreign founders. First, the leased premises requirement: most activities need a real address suitable for the activity (a marketing agency can be in a shared office, a clinic cannot), and the municipality may inspect during the issuance step. Virtual offices and Tamkeen-supported workspaces serve some activity categories. Second, the bank account opening step is often slower than the CR itself; KYC at retail banks is rigorous post-2020, with personal interviews, source-of-funds documentation, and waiting periods of 4 to 8 weeks for a new corporate account at most major banks. Plan the bank step in parallel with Sijilat rather than waiting for the CR to issue first.
Verify on the official source
What documents do I need for Commercial Registration (Sijilat)?
Bring originals AND coloured photocopies of every item. Files are rejected at counter for a single missing page or unattested certificate.
Documents required
- ✓Passport copies of all shareholders and the proposed manager
- ✓CPR copies of resident shareholders, the manager, and the appointed Bahraini service agent if any
- ✓Proposed company name in Arabic and English (3 options to allow for similarity rejections)
- ✓Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association draft, notarised after CR pre-approval
- ✓Lease contract for business premises suitable for the activity, registered with the municipality
- ✓Activity-specific clearances or letters from regulators where applicable (CBB, MOH, BFB, TRA, etc.)
- ✓Bank account intent letter from a Bahraini bank (some banks issue this; others issue only after CR is live)
- ✓Capital injection proof if the activity carries a minimum-capital requirement
- ✓Attested educational or professional credentials for the manager in regulated sectors
- ✓Police clearance from the home country for shareholders in security-sensitive activities
- ✓Beneficial ownership declaration in line with Bahrain's UBO register requirements
Eligibility
- →Shareholders meet sector ownership rules (100% foreign in most activities, partner-required in restricted sectors)
- →Office premises suitable for the activity, with municipality inspection passing where required
- →Initial capital meets the activity's minimum (most activities have no statutory minimum; some financial services require BHD 25,000 or more)
- →Shareholders, manager, and signatories pass UBO and KYC checks
- →No prior CRs in default or deregistered for cause against any shareholder
- →Specific regulator licences in place before the CR is finally issued for that activity
How much does Commercial Registration (Sijilat) cost in Bahrain in 2026?
Government fees current to 2026-06. All payments via the relevant portal wallet or SADAD-equivalent rail; service-centre cash counters typically charge a small extra typing fee.
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CR issuance, basic single activity | 50 BHD | Plus activity-specific regulator fees. Confirm current schedule on sijilat.bh. |
| CR annual renewal | 20-100 BHD | Depends on activities; multi-activity CRs and regulated activities sit at the higher end. |
| Name reservation | 25 BHD | Per reserved name. Reservations rejected for similarity can require new submissions and new fees. |
| MOA notarisation at Ministry of Justice | 30-100 BHD | Depends on capital and number of pages. |
| Beneficial ownership filing | Varies BHD | Part of standard incorporation and ongoing annual UBO updates. |
| VAT registration | 0 BHD | Free registration at NBR for businesses meeting the BHD 37,500 mandatory threshold; voluntary registration available below that. |
| Activity-specific regulator fees | Varies BHD | CBB licensing fees, MOH clinic licence fees, BFB food handling fees, TRA telecom fees, etc. |
| Branch establishment under existing CR | 50 BHD | Plus any branch-specific approvals. Confirm on sijilat.bh. |
| Amendment (activity, shareholding, address) | 25-100 BHD | Per amendment. Complex amendments may require fresh approvals. |
| Late renewal fine | Varies BHD | Applied after the CR expiry date; longer lapses escalate. |
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How do I apply for Commercial Registration (Sijilat) step by step?
The end-to-end flow for Commercial Registration (Sijilat) in Bahrain. Total wall-clock time: Simple commercial activities with no regulator clearance take 2 to 3 weeks end to end on Sijilat. Regulated activities (financial services, healthcare, food, telecom) take 1 to 3 months because of regulator approvals. The bank account opening, often the slowest single step, runs 4 to 8 weeks at most major banks and should be progressed in parallel with the Sijilat file rather than sequentially. Branch establishment under an existing CR is faster, typically 1 to 2 weeks..
- 1
Pick legal form, activity codes, and shareholding structure
Decide between SPC, WLL, BSC closed, or branch form based on founders, capital, and activity. On sijilat.bh, browse the activity catalogue and shortlist the codes you need. Each code is annotated with foreign-ownership rules and required regulator clearances. Be selective: every additional activity adds a clearance step and a renewal-fee component. Many founders over-select activities at startup and pay for it at every renewal thereafter.
⏱ 1-2 days📍 online - 2
Reserve the trade name
On Sijilat, submit up to 3 proposed trade names in Arabic and English. Reservations are rejected for similarity to existing names, restricted words (Royal, National, Bahrain, etc. without permission), and trademark conflicts. Reservation fees of BHD 25 per name are non-refundable on rejection, so order the names from strongest preference to safest fallback. Approved reservations hold for typically 60 days.
⏱ 1-3 days📍 online - 3
Submit the initial CR application
File the CR application on Sijilat with shareholder details, manager appointment, proposed activities, MOA draft, and the lease contract. The portal validates the structure (ownership against activity restrictions, manager credentials, capital adequacy) and either accepts the file for processing or returns it with specific corrections. Initial submission typically takes 1 to 2 weeks for review on simple files.
⏱ 1-2 weeks📍 online - 4
Sectoral regulator clearances
Sijilat routes the file to relevant regulators based on the activity codes selected. CBB handles financial services and crypto; MOH handles clinics, pharmacies, and medical-device businesses; BFB handles food businesses; TRA handles telecom; and so on. Each regulator has its own portal, timeline, and documentary requirements. This step is the variable one and typically runs 2 to 8 weeks depending on sector. Engage the regulator proactively rather than waiting for Sijilat to forward the file.
⏱ 2-8 weeks📍 online - 5
Notarise the MOA at the Ministry of Justice
Once pre-approvals are in place, take the finalised MOA to the Ministry of Justice for notarisation. All shareholders must attend in person or appoint attorneys with notarised powers of attorney. The notary verifies the document, witnesses signatures, and applies the official seal. Fees vary with capital and document length; budget BHD 30 to BHD 100 plus any translation costs.
⏱ 1-3 days📍 center - 6
Pay CR fees and obtain final issuance
Settle the CR issuance fees on Sijilat, upload the notarised MOA, and confirm the final activity list. The system issues the CR document with a unique CR number that is the entity's permanent identifier in Bahrain. Print the CR or save it as a PDF; it is the document banks, landlords, customs, and LMRA will all want to see.
⏱ Same day to 3 working days📍 online - 7
Open the corporate bank account
Take the CR, MOA, manager and shareholder passports and CPRs, source-of-funds documentation, and a business plan to your chosen Bahraini bank. Major retail banks (NBB, BBK, Ahli United, BisB, Standard Chartered Bahrain) all handle corporate accounts; some specialise by sector. KYC processes are rigorous and account opening typically takes 4 to 8 weeks after a personal interview with the relationship manager. Plan this step in parallel with Sijilat rather than sequentially.
⏱ 4-8 weeks📍 center - 8
Register for VAT, open LMRA establishment, and start operations
If you expect turnover above the BHD 37,500 mandatory threshold, register for VAT with the National Bureau for Revenue (free, online). Open an LMRA establishment file at lmra.bh to be able to sponsor employees. Register the business address with the municipality if not already done at lease registration. Register the office address with EWA for utilities. With CR, bank account, VAT, and LMRA all in place, you are operationally live in Bahrain.
⏱ 1-2 weeks for VAT and LMRA setup📍 online
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Which portal do I use for Commercial Registration (Sijilat) in Bahrain?
These official portals handle Commercial Registration (Sijilat) for Bahrain. Each page on Wathim has the login flow, common errors and sibling fallback when one is down.
eKey login and integrated government services for CR holders, including downstream filings like VAT, LMRA, NBR, and EWA
Portal guide →Payment rail used to settle Sijilat CR fees, municipality charges and MOICT fees from any local bank.
Portal guide →LMRA establishment file that the CR renewal cross-checks for active work-permit count and SIO compliance.
Portal guide →💡 Business setup consultancies in Manama (Diplomatic Area, Seef, Adliya) and Riffa specialise in handling Sijilat end to end for foreign founders, including activity-code selection, regulator engagement, MOA drafting, notary appointments, and bank introductions. Fees range from BHD 500 to BHD 3,000+ depending on complexity (simple SPC at the lower end, regulated activity setups at the higher end). The value is highest for first-time foreign founders without a local network, for regulated activities where the regulator engagement is non-obvious, and for setups that need bank introductions through firms with existing relationships at the major banks. For founders with prior GCC experience or a local partner, Sijilat is direct enough to self-serve.
How do I renew Commercial Registration (Sijilat) and what are the penalties?
CR is renewed annually on Sijilat. Renewal is blocked by any open regulator hold (CBB warning, MOH inspection finding), unpaid municipality fees, and CR-attached fines. The fee depends on the activity mix and typically runs BHD 20 to BHD 100. Late renewal triggers escalating fines, and prolonged lapses can lead to deregistration, at which point reincorporation is a full restart rather than a reinstatement. Branch CRs renew on the same cycle as the parent. Beneficial ownership filings (UBO updates) are required annually as part of the renewal or as a standalone filing in some categories.
Fines & penalties
- ⚠Late CR renewal: escalating BHD fine; long lapses can lead to deregistration with reincorporation required
- ⚠Operating an activity not on the CR: regulatory fine on the entity and possible CR suspension
- ⚠Failure to update UBO register: fine and possible CR freeze until updated
- ⚠Operating without VAT registration above the mandatory threshold: significant penalties from NBR, calculated on uncollected VAT plus interest
- ⚠Failure to maintain accounting records: fine and possible audit demand from MOICT or NBR
- ⚠Using a CR for activities outside its scope: misrepresentation fine and possible referral to the Public Prosecution
- ⚠Lapsed municipality registration or unpaid municipal fees: blocks CR renewal and triggers a fine on the entity
- ⚠Employing workers without LMRA establishment registration: significant fines on the entity and on each unregistered worker
What goes wrong with Commercial Registration (Sijilat) applications?
These failures repeat across every Commercial Registration (Sijilat) case Wathim sees in Bahrain. Catch them before submitting to save a counter rejection.
- !Choosing too many activity codes 'just in case': each one adds a clearance step at issuance and a fee component at every renewal
- !Renting unsuitable premises for the activity: municipality inspection refuses and the lease may need to be replaced
- !Skipping MOA notarisation or doing it before pre-approvals are in place: banks refuse the file and notary fees may need to be redone if amendments follow
- !Not budgeting for sectoral regulator fees: CBB, MOH, and TRA fees can dwarf the basic CR cost
- !Treating bank account opening as fast: it is the slowest single step, usually 4 to 8 weeks, and should run in parallel with Sijilat
- !Letting the CR lapse on a dormant entity: deregistration kills the file and reincorporation is harder than continuous renewal
- !Forgetting the UBO register annual filing: it is a small step but a renewal blocker if missed
- !Assuming 100% foreign ownership applies to every activity: a small but commercially important set still requires Bahraini partners or specific approvals
Frequently asked questions about Commercial Registration (Sijilat) in Bahrain
Yes, in the vast majority of activities. Bahrain permits 100% foreign ownership in over 600 commercial and professional activities including most retail, wholesale, professional services, technology, hospitality, and manufacturing. Restricted sectors (some banking, insurance, education, healthcare, defence-related) still require a Bahraini partner or specific regulator approval. The Sijilat activity catalogue flags ownership rules as you select codes, so founders can confirm during structure planning whether their target activity is open.
Simple commercial activities with no regulator clearance take 2 to 3 weeks end to end on Sijilat. Regulated activities (financial services through CBB, healthcare through MOH, food through BFB, telecom through TRA) take 1 to 3 months because of regulator approvals. The bank account opening, which is needed before operations can start, is the slowest single step and runs 4 to 8 weeks at most major banks; start it in parallel with Sijilat rather than waiting for the CR to issue first.
Sijilat (sijilat.bh) is the MOICT-run online portal for everything to do with the Commercial Registration: issuance, name reservation, activity additions and removals, shareholder amendments, branch openings, address changes, UBO filings, annual renewal, and deregistration. It integrates with regulator portals (CBB, MOH, BFB, TRA) to route applications, with the Ministry of Justice for notarisation, with NBR for VAT, and with LMRA for establishment registration. Most CR lifecycle actions in 2026 can be completed without visiting a counter.
Yes, for most activities. The lease contract must be registered with the municipality and the premises must be suitable for the activity (a marketing agency can be in a shared office; a clinic, restaurant, or warehouse cannot). Some service activities allow virtual offices, Tamkeen-supported workspaces, or co-working setups; check the activity-specific rules on Sijilat before signing a lease. Premises also need to be inspected by the municipality during the CR issuance step for many activities.
Most commercial activities have no statutory minimum capital in 2026, making the SPC and WLL forms accessible for bootstrap founders and small businesses. Specific sectors carry higher floors: some financial services require BHD 25,000 or more, some insurance categories run higher again, and certain professional activities require capital alongside the founder's professional licence. The Sijilat activity catalogue lists capital floors per activity code.
Renewal is filed on Sijilat by the manager or an authorised user, with payment of the renewal fee (BHD 20 to BHD 100 depending on activities) plus any sectoral regulator fees. The system checks for open regulator holds, unpaid municipality fees, and CR-attached fines; any of these blocks the renewal until cleared. Late renewal carries an escalating fine, and prolonged lapses can lead to deregistration. UBO register updates are part of the annual cycle and must be completed alongside the fee payment.
Mandatory VAT registration with the National Bureau for Revenue (NBR) is required when annual taxable turnover exceeds BHD 37,500. Voluntary registration is available below that threshold for businesses that want to claim input VAT. Standard VAT rate in Bahrain is 10% in 2026. Registration is free and online at nbr.gov.bh and is typically completed within 1 to 2 weeks. Late registration above the mandatory threshold attracts significant penalties calculated on uncollected VAT.
Yes, the shareholders of a Bahrain CR do not need to be resident in Bahrain, although certain activities require a resident manager. The manager appointed in the MOA must usually be a Bahrain resident with a CPR (citizen, GCC national, or expat with LMRA permit). For non-resident shareholders, day-to-day operations are run through the resident manager, who is the legal face of the entity for LMRA, the municipality, and banks. Non-resident shareholders can give powers of attorney for specific actions and attend Bahrain only for the MOA notarisation step.
