Study in Bahrain
Bahrain is an attractive, tax-free hub in the Gulf region, known for its high-quality private international universities and growing public sector. English is widely used in higher education. Students require a **Residence Permit for Study**.
Application timeline
4-8 weeks (via university sponsorship and NPRA).
Living cost
BHD 600 - 1,200/month (Moderate to high cost of living).
Hourly wage
$0 - BHD 2/hr (Casual work is prohibited).
Study visa confidence
Our AI compares your grades, finances, and previous visas with real student approvals to predict how admissions officers will view your application for Bahrain.
Takes < 2 minutes
Student visa pathways
Processing times, work rights, required documents, and dependent rules for each permit route.
Residence Permit for Study (Student Visa)
Long-stay, Academic
Validity
Duration of study (renewable annually)
Processing time
4-8 weeks (via NPRA - Nationality, Passport, and Residence Affairs).
Fee
BHD 100 - 200 (Application and Issuance Fee).
Work rights
No. Casual or part-time work is strictly prohibited.
Documents required
Acceptance Letter, Financial Proof (bank statement), Passport, Medical Certificate, Application Form, Sponsorship by the University.
Dependents
Limited, generally only for high-income expatriates; difficult for a student to sponsor dependents. · No (Dependents are not permitted to work).
Top universities & flagship programs
Shortlist globally-ranked institutions with tuition benchmarks.
University of Bahrain (UOB)
Sakhir · #1 (in Bahrain, varies regionally)
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
2 years · BHD 2,000 - 4,000 (Total)
Arabian Gulf University (AGU)
Manama · Regional Research University
College of Medicine and Medical Sciences (MBBS)
6 years · BHD 10,000 - 15,000/yr
Scholarships & exchange routes
Reduce tuition costs and build international exposure.
Scholarships
Merit + needs-based opportunities
Government of Bahrain Scholarship (Ministry of Education)
Full tuition, monthly allowance, housing allowance.
Primarily for Bahraini citizens; very limited bilateral scholarships for select nationalities.
Tamkeen (Labor Fund) Support Programs
Varies (training, certification fees).
Primarily focused on Bahraini citizens to enhance skills and career prospects.
University Scholarships (e.g., AGU Merit-Based)
Up to 50% tuition waiver (merit-based).
High academic merit for undergraduate and graduate studies; highly competitive for international applicants.
Exchange partners
1-2 semester mobility
GCC Exchange Programs
1 semester or 1 year
Students from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states at partner institutions.
University Bilateral Agreements (e.g., UOB)
1 semester or 1 year
Specific to the student's home university and Bahraini partner institution.
Announcements & policy watch
Stay ahead of IRCC and embassy updates.
University Sponsorship Model
The student visa process requires the university to act as the official sponsor, responsible for the student's residence status. Communication must go through the university's international office.
Visa success playbook
Action items that consistently strengthen study permit approvals.
Ensure the university is actively sponsoring your visa application; expect a full medical check on arrival; **do not** engage in unapproved work
as penalties are severe.
Country fast facts
Key embassy + lifestyle data
Official language
Arabic
Currency
Bahraini Dinar (BHD)
Time zone
UTC+03:00
Visa portal
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Part-time work ideas
Average hourly wages
None (Part-time work is strictly prohibited)
N/A
Foreign students are strictly prohibited from engaging in any casual, part-time work.
University Research Assistant (Stipend)
Varies (Minimal stipend/hourly rate)
Highly limited, usually only for high-level graduate research, and must be approved by the university and NPRA.
Nearest embassies
Plan biometrics & interviews
Job market insights
Low. No direct post-study work visa. Employment requires employer sponsorship, and companies must prove that no qualified Bahraini or existing resident can fill the position.