Is a Physical Office Address Required When Starting a Business in Bahrain?

An individual must first obtain a Commercial Registration (CR) from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism (the MOICT) in order to legally conduct any business activity in the Kingdom of Bahrain. One of the requirements for obtaining a CR is a registered office or place of business, which brings up the question of whether there are any other options available for those who want to start their business from home or without a physical office space.

s commercial activities have expanded, many companies, such as those that operate on social media, may now function completely online and without the need for physical office space. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism (MOICT) has created virtual CRs, also known as SIJILI, to keep up with these developments.

SIJILI enables individuals to conduct a broad variety of business activities without the need for a physical office space. Individuals with a SIJILI CR are also eligible for many of the advantages available to commercial companies, such as funding and assistance from Tamkeen, among other things. Of course, in order to profit from SIJILI, you must fulfill the requirements established by the MOICT.

What are the requirements?

- The applicant must be a Bahraini citizen;

- The applicant must provide a permanent mailing address;

- The applicant must be the only owner of the company and not a director or member of any other company. Regardless, the applicant may be a shareholder in a company as long as he is not a director nor a manager.

Are there any commercial activities that I am not permitted to engage in while having a SIJILI CR?

Yes, SIJILI CR holders are not authorized to get licenses or permissions to bring foreign workers into the Kingdom of Bahrain; in other words, you are not permitted to bring foreign employees into Bahrain. Furthermore, holders of SIJILI CR may only engage in business activities that are covered by SIJILI's preview.

We've provided below a list of the forty-two (42) activities currently allowed under the SIJILI preview:

1. Manufacture of textiles - Workshop

2. Apparel Tailoring Activities

3. Sale/Trade of souvenirs, craftwork, religious articles, stamps and coins; Activities of commercial art galleries

4. Sale/Trade of souvenirs, craftwork, religious articles, stamps and coins; Activities of commercial art galleries - Crafts activities

5. Retail sale via Internet

6. Software publishing

7. Motion picture, video and television programme activities

8. Sound recording and music publishing activities

9. Computer programming activities

10. Computer Consultancy and computer facilities management activities

11. Data processing, hosting and related activities

12. Operations of eMarketplaces / websites / web portals

13. Management consultancy activities

14. Public Relations

15. Fashion Design

16. Jewellery Design

17. Interior Decoration

18. Graphic Design

19. Other Specialized Design Activities

20. Photographic activities

21. Chef

22. Landscape care and maintenance service activities

23. Packaging activities - Packaging of Food

24. Packaging activities - Packaging of Cosmetics or herbs

25. Other business support service activities

26. Other business support service activities - Clearance of Government Transactions

27. Sports Instruction (baseball, basketball, cricket, football, swimming, or any sports Instruction activity not specified elsewhere)

28. Horse Riding Instruction

29. Martial Arts Instruction

30. Fitness/ Yoga Instruction

31. Performing arts/ drama school

32. Design of Training Programs

33. Other education

34. Translation and interpretation

35. Production of live theatrical presentations and other stage productions

36. Activities of sculptors, painters, cartoonists, etc.

37. Activities of producers or promoters of sports events

38. Repair of footwear and leather goods

39. Repair of other personal and household goods

40. Washing and (dry-) cleaning of textile and fur products

41. Ironing of textiles and fur products

42. Personal Events Planners

Disclaimer: our publications are intended for general information and should not be construed as legal advice on any specific facts or circumstances. They may not be quoted or referred to without our prior written consent.