Seeking Bahrain Residency 鈥� Medically Retired US Military

Seeking Bahrain Residency – Medically Retired US Military

noorbh · 2025-07-12T21:45:28+02:00

Explore residency options in Bahrain for medically retired US military veterans. Share insights on legal pathways, financial hurdles, and support.

noorbh New member

Member since 12 July 2025

noorbhNew member12 July 2025 19:45:28

Hey everyone,

I鈥檓 a 24-year-old U.S. Navy veteran, medically retired after about 5 years of active-duty service. I suffered a serious service-connected injury a few years ago, and I now receive a permanent, tax-free pension of around 1,600 BHD per month from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

I fell in love with Bahrain when I was first stationed here and moved back recently as a civilian retiree. I鈥檝e been trying to find a legal and secure way to obtain long-term or permanent residency here, but I keep hitting walls.

I鈥檝e looked into the standard self-sponsorship residency permit for retired foreigners, but one of the requirements is a retirement certificate from a government, private sector, or GCC employer showing at least 15 years of service. Since I only served 5 years before being medically retired, I don鈥檛 meet that time requirement, even though I have a lifetime pension from the U.S. government.

I鈥檝e also looked into the Golden Residency program, but it requires 4,000 BHD per month in income. I currently make around 1,600 BHD, and even with pending increases from other disability entitlements, I鈥檇 still only reach about 3,800 BHD per month. So I fall just short.

Investor visas are also out of reach for me at the moment since I don鈥檛 have 50,000 to 100,000 BHD to invest in property or local businesses. Maybe I could look into loans, but I highly doubt any US Bank would give me a 265,000 USD loan at 24, and I also don鈥檛 think any banks here in the Middle East are willing to cough up that money for a loan to a US Expat barley scraping 2,000 BHD a month.

Working is unfortunately not an option either due to my physical limitations and disability status. I鈥檝e been approached by the shady companies offering fake sponsorships or Commercial Registrations just to get a residency. I鈥檓 not interested in doing anything dishonest or risking deportation.

I know Bahrain has been evolving in terms of expat-friendly pathways, and I鈥檓 really hoping someone out there knows of a legal, safe, and realistic route for someone like me. Whether it鈥檚 a workaround within the existing retiree permit, or some form of exemption due to government-backed medical retirement, I鈥檓 open to ideas.

Any insights or recommendations are truly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

XTang Bahrain/UAE/KSA Expert

Member since 22 April 2014

XTangBahrain/UAE/KSA Expert14 July 2025 10:41:10

11927

Practically, the only way right now is to set up a company (even if on paper) and use that to secure a renewable 2 year visa.聽聽It does involve some costs and ongoing requirements (method and process is listed in a sticky on the forum).聽聽It is legal but time consuming to keep up with the requirements to keep the company active.聽聽Most people without the financials required for Golden and self sponsorship visas do that.

Also you won't qualify for the SS retiree visa as besides the 15 year service, I believe there is a minimum age requirement of 50, or was it 55, can't remember exactly.

The other option that I can think of is, when you do reach 3800 BD a month, apply for the Golden residency retiree option regardless and throw in an endorsement letter from the US military.聽 That might carry some weight and you might skate through considering you are not that much below the 3800 threshold.

Good luck.

hakkab Active member

Member since 01 December 2023

hakkabActive member21 July 2025 11:06:27

Contact the self-sponsorship service and explain your situation to them. There are humans behind this service, they can accept certain shortcomings or make exceptions.