Bahrain: Follow-up to Response to Information Request BHR28683.E of 3 February 1998 on whether a foreign national who had worked continuously as a police officer since 1979 would be eligible for citizenship or some form of permanent residency
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 March 1998 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | BHR29179.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Bahrain: Follow-up to Response to Information Request BHR28683.E of 3 February 1998 on whether a foreign national who had worked continuously as a police officer since 1979 would be eligible for citizenship or some form of permanent residency, 1 March 1998, BHR29179.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab0464.html [accessed 7 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The following information was provided in a 2 February 1998 telephone interview with the First Secretary of the Embassy of the State of Bahrain in Washington, DC. It was later amended on 19 February 1998 in a follow-up telephone interview and finally approved on 26 March 1998 by the First Secretary.
The First Secretary stated that due to a lack of specific details in the question posed by the Research Directorate, his answer had to be general in nature.
According to the First Secretary, the majority of foreign nationals in Bahrain originally come from Yemen, India and Pakistan. Some families have been in Bahrain for generations. Many of these foreign nationals work as policemen or as guards at government buildings. Some of these foreign nationals can apply for Bahraini citizenship after having lived and worked in Bahrain for approximately 15 years, depending on their individual circumstances. Therefore, a foreign national who has lived and worked continuously in Bahrain as a policeman since 1979 might be eligible for citizenship. However, not everyone who has lived in Bahrain continuously for 15 years is eligible for Bahraini citizenship. In fact, there are some individuals who have lived and worked in Bahrain for 40 years and are not eligible for citizenship due to their particular circumstances. The Department of Immigration in Manama, Bahrain, determines on a case-by-case basis whether an individual is eligible for citizenship.
The First Secretary added that foreign nationals who are granted Bahraini citizenship and would then be treated equally to all Bahraini-born citizens.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Embassy of the State of Bahrain in Washington, DC. 2 February 1998. Telephone interview with the First Secretary.
_____. 19 February 1998. Follow-up telephone interview with a senior administrative assistant on behalf of the First Secretary.
_____. 26 March 1998. Approval of information provided by the First Secretary in 2 February 1998 telephone interview.
