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As mentioned by me before, there is no harm in trying with SPA especially if you have managed to get EWA in your name. But be ready to be asked for title deed. I saw it happen with few people.

@XTang I'll give it a shot. If I have any success I'll post here for others to see.

@XTang do you know if I would I need a CPR before applying for the visa?

I was just reading through your pinned post on self sponsor residency visa (/forum/viewtopic.php?id=750635 ) and noticed you had a cpr BEFORE getting your residency visa.

"Take all the documents and apply at the NPRA office on Exhibition road in the self sponsorship section. I submitted the following documentation:  Filled out visa forms (one form for each member of the family - forms can be downloaded from NPRA site.  It is the same form for ALL types of visas), copies of passports and CPRs for all family members, copy of title deed of property - first page, survey map pages and the transfer page which showed my details, copy of EWA bond (as first bill wasn't issued then), copy of insurance cards (just the front of the cards - no need for insurance letter), original certificate of good conduct from Bahrain / Saudi and documentation for proof of monthly income (bank statements from abroad showing investment income and also employer letter from Saudi).   Was given a contact card for self sponsorship section with my file number.   Now the wait begins.   It takes roughly between 1 to 6 months to issue this type of residence permit.  It took 2 months for my 10-year permit to be approved."

If you don't have a cpr, no issue for the visa application. You might need it for EWA but SS section can give you a temporary number.

hi,

i applied for Self-Sponsorship for Property Owner since July and till now i didn't receive a feedback on my application. could it be something wrong? Also, it it true that the are not approving new applicants?

Well I haven't heard of them not approving new applicants.

And for some people, it can take up to 6 months.

@XTang

thank you for your reply. Do you know any number or email to contact self sponsorship department? bcz nobody is answering on the number mentioned in the evisa webiste.

It's not evisa section. 

Self sponsorship is +973-17399712,

Email is self.sponsorship@npra.gov.bh.

I always correspond with them on email.  They reply.

@Pacman79 yes you can by having your own Business. I can assist you in this. You can contact me on ***

@Pacman79 Good morning Pacman.

Self sponsorship has several requirements, one of which is ownership of a property worth not less than 50k.

An SPA without the TITLE DEED is not acceptable for this purpose, even though the SPA is a legal document that allows you to sell, or lease or use the property legally.

For further clarification you can message me on ***

Regardss,

Mounir

Hello everyone,

Please note that for some security reasons, contact details should not be posted on the forum.

Should you have any information, feel free to share it on the forum itself.

Thank you,

Cheryl

½ûÂþÌìÌà team

Hi, my parents applied for a renewal of self sponsorship back in June 2023, RP expired mid August 2023. Whenever we write to NPRA or self sponsorship they reply please wait.

As the RP is expired, any idea how long will this take?

NPRA advises to apply 6 MONTHS before expiry of RP.   Because it can easily take that time.  Usually it takes 3-4 months.

Hi. This is in regards to my message of 2.10.2023.  It has been 5 months now from date of application but till date no response from NPRA or self sponsorship.  As this is a renewal its bit strange that it takes longer time than expected.

I guess you need to wait else try emailing them.

@logicalindian

What is even the point of comments like this?

You have no information or any constructive   to add to the  person asking or the thread. 

No point with guesses and hopes here. best be to the point and direct.

Perfect example of people talking for the sake of talking.

Good luck 🤞

    Hi. This is in regards to my message of 2.10.2023.  It has been 5 months now from date of application but till date no response from NPRA or self sponsorship.  As this is a renewal its bit strange that it takes longer time than expected.        -@dominicnia5

The problem is, renewal is not treated as a renewal per se in terms of process.  They practically revalidate your eligibility for a self sponsorship visa from scratch even though it is called a renewal.  The security check is also redone.  I have heard of people's renewal applications taking 6 months or more.  The SS section also advises people to apply for renewal with a safety net of at least 6 months.   

Unfortunately you can do nothing except wait.  I would suggest to drop them an email every other week to follow up........at least you will have the record of the follow up.........and if current visa is close to expiry, take all this record and complain on Tawasul.

Edit:

Let me also give you a word of advice.  Sometimes people get a 10 year visa and start thinking that they are sorted.  Then during those 10 years, they do silly things e.g. end up in legal cases, put stupid posts on social media, do dodgy financial transactions etc etc.  Now while these things are not serious enough to lead to an outright visa cancellation and deportation........they do cause problems at renewal time.  I am not saying that this is the case with you but putting it out there so that people understand the simple fact that you are a guest here and nothing is guaranteed...........property or no property.........golden visa or no golden visa.

@XTang

Hi. If the RP is expired already.  Would there be any grace period? If yes , then by how many months.. if no, then who would be at fault..

30 days grace period.  You are at fault unless you applied for renewal before 6 months of expiry.

I wonder why self sponsor visa takes upto 6 months while golden visa it seems gets processed in about a month. Any special reason?

No reason given officially.  I have my own personal thoughts but no point in sharing these as it is pure speculation.

@XTang

Thanks XTang. I would welcome your thoughts if you want to share it. I am sure it will add perspective to the matter. Thanks.

Well here is my thinking and I want to caveat this............I don't know the real reasons but just guessing based on logic from my many years of experience in economics / finance etc.

Self sponsorship visa applicants are low commitment to Bahrain (investment or otherwise) individuals who don't even need to stay here to maintain their visas.  All you need is 500 BD income plus property of 50K or fixed deposits for investor / retired. Nothing is linked to your skills or your level of finances.  Even the 50K investment for property is nothing in the greater scheme of things as most people earning less than 2K can reach that over the years.

Golden visa applicants are high commitment to Bahrain because they either invest 200K in property, earn salary of more than 2K or have special talents.  On top, they need to stay 90 days in Bahrain to maintain their visas.

So stepping back and looking at it logically / financially, Bahrain benefits a lot more from the Golden visa applicants in terms of the economy or special skills.  This means that they prioritize those applications a lot more than SS ones.  And I feel that in the years to come, they will try to discourage the SS applications even more so that the eligible ones go for the Golden visa.  One example is the increase in fees in SS visas.  These use to be 600 BD per person and now are at 850 BD per person whereas the Golden visa is 300 BD per person.

The only reason I haven't gone for the Golden visa is because of the stay requirement.  The day they remove it (like UAE has ) and I think they will, for property based visas at least, I will bump up my property investment to beyond 200K and apply for it.   

Yes, the reasoning is quite rational and well articulated. Thanks for sharing your views, Mr. XTang.