Commercial Registration (CR) in Bahrain

Obtain, amend, or renew your Commercial Registration through Sijilat with expert handling — from activity selection to licence collection.

Commercial Registration

Your Licence to Trade in Bahrain

The Commercial Registration (CR) is the foundation of every Bahraini business — it is your official licence to operate, issued by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce through the Sijilat portal. Getting the right commercial activities on your CR from the outset saves you from costly amendments and approval delays later.

We manage the full CR lifecycle: new applications, activity additions, amendments, address changes, ownership transfers, and annual renewals. Our team knows exactly which activities require external approvals and how to package your application so it clears the first time.

New CR applications submitted via Sijilat
Optimal commercial activity code selection
Activity additions and CR amendments
Trade name registration and protection
Ownership transfers and capital changes
Annual renewal and compliance management

CR Essentials

Key facts about commercial registration in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Issuing portal Sijilat
Regulator MOICT
Standard approval 1–3 days
Renewal cycle Annual
Activities per CR Multiple
What We Handle

End-to-End CR Services

Everything related to your commercial registration, managed by specialists who deal with Sijilat every day.

New CR Applications

Complete preparation and submission of your commercial registration through Sijilat, including all supporting documents and clearances.

Activity Selection

Guidance on choosing the right ISIC-based commercial activities so your CR covers what you do today and where you plan to grow.

CR Amendments

Adding or removing activities, changing your trade name, updating capital, or amending shareholders and managers.

External Approvals

Securing approvals from regulators such as the CBB, NHRA, or the Ministry of Information when your activity requires them.

Ownership Transfers

Handling share transfers, partner additions, and changes of ownership with the correct legal documentation.

Renewals & Reminders

Proactive management of your annual CR renewal so your licence never lapses and you avoid penalties.

How It Works

How We Process Your CR

We manage every step so you can focus on your business.

STEP 01

Activity & Eligibility Review

We confirm the commercial activities you need, check ownership eligibility, and identify any external approvals required.

STEP 02

Document Assembly

We prepare your MOA, lease/address proof, and shareholder documents and verify everything against Sijilat requirements.

STEP 03

Sijilat Submission

We submit and track your application, respond to any queries from MOICT, and obtain the necessary clearances.

STEP 04

Licence Issued

Your CR and commercial licence are issued — and we set you up with renewal reminders so you stay compliant.

Why Choose Us

Why Clients Trust Business Setup Bahrain

Right First Time

Correct activities and documentation mean approvals without rejections, rework, or wasted government fees.

Faster Approvals

We know which activities trigger external approvals and pre-empt them, so your CR clears quickly.

Stay Compliant

Renewal tracking and amendment support keep your CR valid and matched to your real business activities.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about commercial registration in Bahrain.

A CR is the official business licence issued by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce through the Sijilat portal. It identifies your company, its legal form, owners, and the commercial activities it is permitted to carry out.
A standard CR can be issued in 1–3 business days once documents are ready and any required external approvals are obtained. Activities that need regulator sign-off may take longer.
Yes. Activities can be added at any time through a CR amendment, provided you meet any conditions or external approvals tied to the new activity. We handle the full amendment process.
Commercial Registrations in Bahrain are renewed annually. We track your renewal date and manage the process so your licence does not lapse and you avoid late penalties.
Most activities permit 100% foreign ownership following the 2022 reforms, but a small number of restricted activities still require Bahraini participation. We confirm this during your activity review.