What to do right after the CR is issued
Got my Bahrain CR today. What should I do first so I do not miss anything?
The situation
After the CR you still need a bank account, premises, LMRA and SIO registration if hiring, and VAT if you will cross the threshold.
The law
- Commercial Registration Law, Decree-Law No. 27 of 2015 (amended by Decree-Law 52 of 2018 and Law 9 of 2022): Every commercial activity needs a CR issued through Sijilat; a CR is deleted if required licences are not obtained within one year
- Decree-Law No. 48 of 2018: registration thresholds: Mandatory registration at BHD 37,500 of taxable supplies in the past or next 12 months; voluntary from BHD 18,750
- Social Insurance Law, Decree-Law No. 24 of 1976 as amended by Law No. 14 of 2022: Employers register staff with the SIO and pay monthly contributions; the employer share for Bahrainis rises by one point a year
What it means for you
The CR is a start, not the finish. Missing licences within one year cancels the CR. Hiring without SIO registration creates contribution arrears. VAT is due once taxable sales cross BHD 37,500 in 12 months. A simple calendar for the first year prevents most problems.
What to do
- Open the bank account and deposit capital.
- Complete any pending licences.
- Register with LMRA and SIO before hiring.
- Track sales against the VAT threshold.
- Diary CR renewal and audited accounts dates.
We can do this for youSet up a Bahrain WLL or single person company through Sijilat (MOIC): BHD 900