Bahrain
If you now live in Canada and previously lived, worked, or studied in Bahrain,
many immigration, employment, and licensing processes will ask you for a Bahrain Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
in addition to your Canadian one. Getting fingerprinted correctly is usually the first step. This guide walks through how that works
while you’re based in Canada, and how Surrey Fingerprint Company can help with the fingerprinting part.
Visit Surrey Fingerprint Company for professional, correctly-formatted fingerprints for your Bahrain police clearance
application. Email info@surreyfingerprint.com
beforehand so we can confirm the exact form and format Bahrain Ministry of Interior — Good Conduct Certificate (via bahrain.bh online portal) currently requires.
Why Would Someone in Canada Need a Bahrain PCC?
- Canadian immigration & citizenship (IRCC): if you lived in Bahrain for 6 months or more before moving to Canada, IRCC may require a police certificate from Bahrain as part of permanent residency, sponsorship, or citizenship applications.
- Immigration to a third country: if you are applying to move from Canada to another country (e.g. Australia, the UK, the US, or elsewhere), that country’s character/background check requirements often ask for a clearance from every country you’ve lived in for an extended period, including Bahrain.
- Employment & licensing: some regulated professions and international employers request a background check covering your time in Bahrain.
- Legal, banking, or property matters: some processes back in Bahrain may themselves ask you to complete identity verification via fingerprints while abroad.
The General Process From Canada
Because you’re applying from outside Bahrain, the typical path is: get fingerprinted locally in Canada in the exact
format Bahrain Ministry of Interior — Good Conduct Certificate (via bahrain.bh online portal) accepts, then send that fingerprint record to them along with the rest of your
application package.
Contact Bahrain’s issuing authority first
Confirm the current application form, required fingerprint format, fee, and mailing/submission method directly with
Bahrain Ministry of Interior — Good Conduct Certificate (via bahrain.bh online portal) — requirements can change, so always check before your appointment.
Get fingerprinted at Surrey Fingerprint Company
Bring valid photo ID and any required form. The fingerprint format usually requested for a Bahrain PCC is:
Ink-and-Roll Fingerprinting (Paper Card). We offer both ink-and-roll and digital fingerprinting on-site.
We complete your card correctly
We take your fingerprints on the correct form, complete any required identity/witness sections, and provide the card or
document ready to send.
Send your package to Bahrain
Mail or submit your fingerprint card along with your application form, ID copies, photos, and fee (as required) to
Bahrain Ministry of Interior — Good Conduct Certificate (via bahrain.bh online portal). Use a tracked courier for original documents.
IMPORTANT CAVEATS: Bahrain does not have its own embassy in Canada — it is covered by the Embassy of Bahrain in Washington, D.C. Also, current applicant reports suggest the process has shifted toward an online system (bahrain.bh) where fingerprint registration may need to happen after the application is filed and may be tied to a Bahraini personal/CPR number, rather than a straightforward "take fingerprints locally and mail them" process. This makes it genuinely uncertain whether a Canadian-taken fingerprint card is accepted for a fresh application — strongly recommend contacting the Bahrain Ministry of Interior or Embassy directly before booking an appointment or promising this service to a client.
Mailing address:
Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain, 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, D.C. 20008, USA (no embassy in Canada)
Receive your Bahrain PCC
Processing time is Highly variable by applicant report — confirm current process and timelines directly with Bahrain's Ministry of Interior. Some authorities mail the certificate directly to your Canadian
address; others may require pickup via a consulate or representative.
Source: Official guidance for Bahrain. Requirements can change; always confirm current details on the official page before applying.
the current requirement before your appointment so you don’t need to redo it.
clearance applications can change without notice. Always confirm current requirements directly with
Bahrain Ministry of Interior — Good Conduct Certificate (via bahrain.bh online portal) before your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get fingerprinted in Surrey for a Bahrain PCC?
Yes. Surrey Fingerprint Company offers both ink-and-roll and digital fingerprinting, and can prepare your fingerprint card or document in the format most commonly requested for Bahrain applications. Contact us to confirm the exact form before your visit.
How long does it take to get a PCC from Bahrain while living in Canada?
Timelines vary widely by country and by how the application is submitted. As a general estimate: Highly variable by applicant report — confirm current process and timelines directly with Bahrain's Ministry of Interior. Confirm current processing times with the issuing authority.
Do I need an original fingerprint card, or is a scan acceptable?
This depends on Bahrain's current requirements — some authorities require original ink cards mailed physically, others accept digital submissions. We'll help you confirm which applies before you leave our office.
Can Surrey Fingerprint Company submit my application to Bahrain for me?
We handle the fingerprinting step. Submission of the full application package is generally your responsibility (or your immigration consultant/lawyer's), unless otherwise noted for a specific country.
Get Fingerprinted for Your Bahrain PCC — Surrey, BC
Email us before your visit so we can confirm the correct form and format for Bahrain.
+1 (604) 825-8882 · info@surreyfingerprint.com