Ministerial Order No (74) for 2007 deals with granting residence permits by a personal sponsorship to expatriates (non-Bahrainis) who purchase freehold property.  The Order was published in the Official Gazette on 17/01/2008 and came into effect on 18/01/2008.

Article (2) (a) of the Order provides that an expatriate may be issued with entry and residence permit under personal sponsorship, if he owns a residential property in his/her name in the Kingdom of Bahrain of a total value of no less than BHD 50,000.00.  There is no objection to mortgaging the residence in favor of one of the banks or financial institutions licensed to undertake business in the Kingdom of Bahrain. For the purposes of this Order, residence shall mean any apartment or house fit for residence.

The issuance of entry and residence permit under personal sponsorship shall be subject to the conditions(s) that the expatriate:
a.    Is of good behavior and reputation.
b.    Has valid medical insurance in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
c.    Maintains a bank deposit of no less than BHD 15,000/- in one of the banks or financial institutions for the duration of his/her residency, and to provide a statement to that effect every six months.
d.    Has legitimate financial income for himself/herself and his/her dependent (s) of no less than BHD 500/- per month per family.
e.    Is not employed in the government or the private sector on the Kingdom.

Article (5) provided that an expatriate to whom entry and residence permit has been issued in accordance with the provisions of this Order may request issuance of entry and residence permit to his/her spouse and his/her dependent children.