Bahraini nationality law

Bahraini *Nationality Act*
Bahraini Nationality Act
Parliament of Bahrain
	Long title An Act relating to Bahraini citizenship ;
Passed by	Government of Bahrain
Passed	16 September 1963
	Status: Current legislation

Last updated August 03, 2024

Bahraini nationality law states who is a citizen of Bahrain. Foreigners are often given citizenship. Bahraini citizenship laws are governed by the Bahraini Nationality Law of 16 September 1963.^[1] Bahrain does not currently permit dual citizenship, and a Bahraini citizen who acquires a foreign citizenship loses Bahraini citizenship. Bahraini citizenship can be renounced.^[2] However, in 2016, Bahrainis could have applied to the Ministry of Interior to maintain dual nationality.^[3] The king has the discretion to grant Bahraini citizenship to those otherwise not qualified.^[4] His Majesty the Governor has the discretion to grant citizenship to an Arab individual who has performed a great service to Bahrain. A Bahraini citizen over the age of 20 years has the right to vote in national elections. Bahraini citizens have a right to a Bahraini passport, though in 1996 the Bahraini government was criticised for refusing to renew the passports of some Bahraini nationals, thus imposing an effective exile on these individuals.^[5]

As of 2019, Bahrain had an estimated population of 1.64 million, up from the official 2010 census population of 1.23 million, of which 666,172 (53.5%) in 2010 were non-Bahraini, mainly foreign workers. There were 568,399 Bahraini citizens, 99.8% of which were Muslim. There are about 1,000 Christian citizens^[6] and about 40 Jewish citizens.^[7] (See Demographics of Bahrain.)

Since 2011 the Bahraini government has revoked the citizenship of around 1,000 major opposition and activist figures in response to protests and disturbances, though some have been reinstated.^[8]

By birth

A child born in Bahrain to unknown parents is a Bahraini citizen by birth.^[1]

By descent

A child born to a Bahraini father acquires Bahraini citizenship by descent, irrespective of the nationality of the mother, and irrespective of the place of birth. A child of a Bahraini mother and a foreign father is not entitled to Bahraini citizenship.^[4] If the father of a child of a Bahraini mother is unknown, irrespective of the place of birth, such child acquires Bahraini citizenship by descent from the mother.

By marriage

A foreign woman who marries a Bahraini man can apply for Bahraini citizenship.^[9] If a Bahraini woman marries a foreign man she will lose her citizenship if and when she acquires the nationality of her husband, but she can apply to keep it. The non-Bahraini husband cannot acquire Bahraini citizenship by marriage to a Bahraini woman.^[4] If they divorce and the former Bahraini wife returns to Bahrain, she can apply to regain Bahraini citizenship.

By naturalization

Requirements

An applicant must present himself in person.
An Arab applicant must have legally and consecutively lived in Bahrain for 10 years. For non-Arabs the time period is 20 years.^[1]
The applicant must be conversant in the Arabic language.
The applicant shall own property that is registered under his/her name in the Survey and Land Registration Bureau.
The applicant shall be a person of moral conduct.
The applicant shall be mentally competent.^[10]

Documents required

Letter addressed to His Majesty, the King, expressing the desire to obtain Bahraini nationality.
A document containing the applicant’s ID card data.
The original and copy of the applicant’s current passport or the travel document held by him from another state.
The original and copy of the applicant’s birth certificate.
The original and copy of the applicant’s marriage certificate if it was issued in Bahrain. In case the marriage certificate was issued abroad, an "affidavit conjugal" is required from a court in Bahrain, to be submitted along with the foreign marriage certificate.
A document containing the data of the ID cards of the applicant’s wife and children.
In case the name of the applicant is written in the passport in a dual or triple form, a certificate from the applicant’s embassy should be submitted authenticating the full name
Original and copy of the nationality certificate.
Certificate from the Survey & Land Registration Bureau, stating that the applicant owns property in Bahrain.
Health fitness certificate.
Certificate from the Commercial Registration office stating the trade followed by the applicant, in case he is a businessman.
All education certificates held by the applicant or a letter and copy from the Ministry of Education.
Originals and copies of all passports held by the applicant as proof of the continuity of his residency.
Employment certificate from the applicant’s workplace and the Social Insurance Organisation, stating his job title, salary and joining date. This should have been issued less than three months before the date of application for nationality.
Two recent photos with white background. Size 6 cm x 4 cm.^[10]

Procedure

Application should be sent to the Directorate of the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs.
The application form should be filled put and the documents required should be attached.
If the application is accepted the applicant should collect the passport during business hours.^[10]

The wife and minor children of a recently naturalized man are considered to be naturalized citizens also.

Loss of citizenship

A naturalized Bahraini citizen may lose citizenship if they acquired Bahraini citizenship under false pretenses or if they committed a crime relating to honor or honesty (impugns integrity) within 10 years of acquiring citizenship.

Bahrain does not permit dual citizenship, and a Bahraini citizen who acquires a foreign citizenship loses Bahraini citizenship. Bahraini citizenship can be renounced.^[2] Since 2016, one can apply to maintain dual nationality. Those who were illegally holding a foreign nationality and the Bahraini nationality prior to November 2016 could have had applied by February 4, 2017 to maintain both nationalities. It fell to the discretion of the Interior Ministry to allow dual nationality and each scenario had been decided on case-by-case basis. Those who continued holding a foreign nationality and the Bahraini nationality after February 4, 2017 could be punished with a fine of $27000 and removal of Bahraini nationality.^[3]

A Bahraini citizen may be denaturalized if they:

entered military service of another nation even if told not to.
entered the service of an enemy.
causes harm to the State.

Related Research Articles

Naturalization is the legal act or process by which a non-national of a country acquires the nationality of that country after birth. The definition of naturalization by the International Organization for Migration of the United Nations excludes citizenship that is automatically acquired or is acquired by declaration. Naturalization usually involves an application or a motion and approval by legal authorities. The rules of naturalization vary from country to country but typically include a promise to obey and uphold that country's laws and taking and subscribing to an oath of allegiance, and may specify other requirements such as a minimum legal residency and adequate knowledge of the national dominant language or culture. To counter multiple citizenship, some countries require that applicants for naturalization renounce any other citizenship that they currently hold, but whether this renunciation actually causes loss of original citizenship, as seen by the host country and by the original country, will depend on the laws of the countries involved.

Dutch nationality law details the conditions by which a person holds Dutch nationality. The primary law governing these requirements is the Dutch Nationality Act, which came into force on 1 January 1985. Regulations apply to the entire Kingdom of the Netherlands, which includes the country of the Netherlands itself, Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten.

The citizenship law of the Czech Republic is based on the principles of jus sanguinis or "right by blood". In other words, descent from a Czech parent is the primary method of acquiring Czech citizenship. Birth on Czech territory without a Czech parent is in itself insufficient for the conferral of Czech citizenship. Every Czech citizen is also a citizen of the European Union. The law came into effect on 1 January 1993, the date of the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, and has been amended in 1993, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2003, and 2005. Since 1 January 2014, multiple citizenship under Czech law is allowed.

Polish nationality law is based primarily on the principle of jus sanguinis. Children born to at least one Polish parent acquire Polish citizenship irrespective of place of birth. Besides other things, Polish citizenship entitles the person to a Polish passport.

The Nationality law in Nepal are regulated primarily by 2015 Constitution of Nepal, Nepal Citizenship Act 2006 and Nepal Citizenship Regulations 2006. The Nepali Constitution regulates provisions for Nepali nationality in Part 2 from Article 10 to 15. The Nepal Citizenship Act 1964 was first promulgated on 28 February 1964 and provides for single citizenship for the entire country to inherit Nepali nationality. The Nepal Citizenship Act, 2006 was enacted on 26 November 2006. It repeals the 1964 Act and makes further provisions for the acquisition and termination of Nepali citizenship and related.

Nationality law of Greece is based on the principle of jus sanguinis. Greek citizenship may be acquired by descent or through naturalization. Greek law permits dual citizenship. A Greek national is a citizen of the European Union, and therefore entitled to the same rights as other EU citizens.

Turkish nationality law is based primarily on the principle of jus sanguinis. Children who are born to a Turkish mother or a Turkish father are Turkish citizens from birth. The intention to renounce Turkish citizenship is submitted in Turkey by a petition to the highest administrative official in the concerned person's place of residence, and when overseas to the Turkish consulate. Documents processed by these authorities are forwarded to the Ministry of Interior (Turkey) for appropriate action.

A German passport is an identity document issued to nationals of Germany for the purpose of international travel. A German passport is, besides the German ID card and the German Emergency Travel Document, the only other officially recognised document that German authorities will routinely accept as proof of identity from German citizens. Besides serving as proof of identity and presumption of German nationality, they facilitate the process of securing assistance from German consular officials abroad. German passports are valid for ten years or six years and share the standardised layout and burgundy red design with other EU passports. Every German citizen is also a citizen of the European Union. The passport, along with the national identity card, allows for free rights of movement and residence in any of the states of the European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland.

Argentine nationality law regulates the manner in which one acquires, or is eligible to acquire, Argentine nationality. Nationality, as used in international law, describes the legal methods by which a person obtains a national identity and formal membership in a nation. Citizenship refers to the relationship between a nation and a national, after membership has been attained. Argentina recognizes a dual system accepting Jus soli and Jus sanguinis for the acquisition of nationality by birth and allows foreign persons to naturalize.

The nationality law of Bangladesh governs the issues of citizenship and nationality of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. The law regulates the nationality and citizenship status of all people who live in Bangladesh as well as all people who are of Bangladeshi descent. It allows the children of expatriates, foreigners as well as residents in Bangladesh to examine their citizenship status and if necessary, apply for and obtain citizenship of Bangladesh.

Monégasque nationality law determines entitlement to Monégasque citizenship. Citizenship of Monaco is based primarily on the principle of jus sanguinis. In other words, citizenship is conferred primarily by birth to a Monégasque parent, irrespective of place of birth.

The Nationality law of North Macedonia is governed by the Constitution of the Republic of North Macedonia of 1991 and the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of North Macedonia of 1992. The citizenship of North Macedonia is based primarily on the principle of Jus sanguinis. In other words, one usually acquires citizenship of North Macedonia if a parent is a national of North Macedonia, irrespective of place of birth.

Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) is a form of permanent residency available to people of Indian origin and their spouses which allows them to live and work in India indefinitely. It allows the cardholders a lifetime entry to the country along with benefits such as being able to own land and make other investments in the country.

Multiple citizenship is a person's legal status in which a person is at the same time recognized by more than one country under its nationality and citizenship law as a national or citizen of that country. There is no international convention that determines the nationality or citizenship status of a person, which is consequently determined exclusively under national laws, that often conflict with each other, thus allowing for multiple citizenship situations to arise.

Slovak nationality law is the law governing the acquisition, transmission and loss of Slovak citizenship. The Citizenship Act is a law enacted by the National Council of Slovakia in regard to the nationality law following the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. In 2010, it was controversially amended, enacting loss of Slovak citizenship upon naturalization elsewhere. This was said to have affected the 2012 election to some degree.

Georgian nationality law is the organic law governing the acquisition, transmission and loss of Georgian citizenship.

Emirati nationality law governs citizenship eligibility in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The law is primarily jus sanguinis. Foreigners who meet certain criteria may be naturalized and granted citizenship. Gulf Cooperation Council citizens are allowed to live in the UAE without restriction and have the right of freedom of movement.

Saudi nationality law, officially called the Saudi Arabian Citizenship System, is the law that determines who is a Saudi citizen.

Venezuelan nationality law is the law governing the acquisition, transmission and loss of Venezuelan citizenship. It is based on the principle of jus soli: any person born in Venezuela acquires Venezuelan citizenship at birth, irrespective of nationality or status of parents. Venezuelan nationality law is regulated by Section 1 of Chapter 2 of the Constitution of Venezuela and by the Nationality and Citizenship Act of 2004.

Syrian nationality law is the law governing the acquisition, transmission and loss of Syrian citizenship. Syrian citizenship is the status of being a citizen of the Syrian Arab Republic and it can be obtained by birth or naturalization. The Syrian Nationality Law was enacted in 1969, by Legislative Decree No. 276/1969.

References

1 2 3 "Part One The Citizenship of Bahrain" (PDF). Refworld.org. Retrieved 26 Feb 2015.
1 2 "BAHRAIN". Multiplecitizenship.com. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
1 2 "Bahrain issues directive on dual nationality". Tradearabia.com. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
1 2 3 "Freedom House: Women's Rights in Bahrain 2009". Bahrainrights.org. Archived from the original on 17 January 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
↑ Fisk, Robert (14 February 1996). "Bahrain gives exile a passport to purgatory". Independent.co.uk. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
↑ "The Catholic Church in Bahrain". Catholic Church in Bahrain. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
↑ "Low profile but welcome: a Jewish outpost in the Gulf". Independent.co.uk. 2 Nov 2007. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
↑ "Major opposition figures not among those given back Bahraini citizenship". Channelnewsasia.com. Archived from the original on 2019-04-29.
↑ Bahraini Citizenship Law of 1963, Article 7.
1 2 3 "Nationality". Npra.gov.bh. Retrieved 3 July 2022.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[1963law-1] 1 2 3 "Part One The Citizenship of Bahrain" (PDF). Refworld.org. Retrieved 26 Feb 2015.

[dual-2] 1 2 "BAHRAIN". Multiplecitizenship.com. Retrieved 3 July 2022.

[:0-3] 1 2 "Bahrain issues directive on dual nationality". Tradearabia.com. Retrieved 2019-08-03.

[rights-4] 1 2 3 "Freedom House: Women's Rights in Bahrain 2009". Bahrainrights.org. Archived from the original on 17 January 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2022.

[5] Fisk, Robert (14 February 1996). "Bahrain gives exile a passport to purgatory". Independent.co.uk. Retrieved 20 February 2010.

[bahchrist-6] "The Catholic Church in Bahrain". Catholic Church in Bahrain. Retrieved 17 March 2012.

[bahjew-7] "Low profile but welcome: a Jewish outpost in the Gulf". Independent.co.uk. 2 Nov 2007. Retrieved 16 March 2012.

[8] "Major opposition figures not among those given back Bahraini citizenship". Channelnewsasia.com. Archived from the original on 2019-04-29.

[9] Bahraini Citizenship Law of 1963, Article 7.

[npra.gov.bh-10] 1 2 3 "Nationality". Npra.gov.bh. Retrieved 3 July 2022.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

Bahraini Nationality Act

Parliament of Bahrain
Long title An Act relating to Bahraini citizenship
Passed by	Government of Bahrain
Passed	16 September 1963
Status: Current legislation