If you live in Bahrain, a power of attorney for India is signed and attested at the Embassy of India in Manama; Bahrain is also a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so a Bahraini apostille is recognised in India. Once the document is stamped in India, an advocate or relative can sell or buy property, appear in court, deal with banks and complete inheritance formalities on your behalf.
- Document route
- Embassy attestation; apostille possible
- Time difference
- 2.5 hours behind IST
- Bahraini judgments
- Enforced in India by fresh suit
- Hague Apostille
- Bahrain is a member
How we help clients in Bahrain
Many Indians in Bahrain have been there for two or three decades and are approaching retirement, which focuses attention on assets at home. Is the house in the right name? Has the land been mutated after a parent's death? Will the children, some of whom may now hold other passports, be able to inherit without difficulty? We carry out a review of the kind described under title verification, put records in order and prepare a will.
For those still mid-career, the common matters are purchases from developers, loans that have not been repaid, and matrimonial proceedings.
Signing documents in Bahrain for use in India
Indian nationals normally sign the power of attorney at the Embassy, booking through its outsourced consular service provider and carrying passport, CPR card and photographs. As Bahrain is a party to the Apostille Convention, notarisation followed by an apostille from the Bahraini authorities is an alternative, used mainly for corporate and Bahraini public documents. Bahraini death, marriage and birth certificates intended for India should be apostilled or attested and translated.
The document is stamped in India within three months. See document attestation.
Services most requested from Bahrain
Putting Indian assets in order ahead of retirement leads the list.
Will Drafting & Probate
A clear Indian will for property and investments at home.
Property Transfer & Mutation
Updating land and municipal records after inheritance.
Title Verification & Due Diligence
Checking what the family actually owns before selling or building.
Buying & Selling Property
Completing purchases and sales through an attorney holder.
FEMA Compliance & RBI Notices
Account redesignation and compliance on return to India.
NRI Divorce
Matrimonial proceedings with one spouse in India.
Planning a return to India
Returning residents have a favourable window. For two to three years after coming back, depending on past stays, you are likely to be "resident but not ordinarily resident", during which foreign income is generally not taxed in India. That is the time to restructure overseas savings. NRE and FCNR deposits must be redesignated as resident or moved to a resident foreign currency account; continuing them unchanged is a contravention. End-of-service benefits received from Bahrain for service rendered there are not Indian income if handled correctly.
We advise on the exchange control and tax steps, and on regularising anything overlooked while you were away. Before any property sale read TDS and capital gains.
Court orders, family cases and working hours
Bahrain is not a reciprocating territory, so its judgments are enforced in India by suit. Divorce and custody orders from Bahrain's courts are examined under section 13 of the Code of Civil Procedure; where both spouses took part there is seldom difficulty. If your spouse is in India, proceedings for divorce or maintenance may be brought there and should be answered through counsel.
Our hours cover your working day; Sunday calls are available on request.
All services for NRIs in Bahrain
Every service below is available to clients living in Bahrain and is handled in India on your authority. Open any one for the law, documents and process.
Property & Real Estate
- NRI Property Dispute Resolution
- Property Partition Suit
- Title Verification & Due Diligence
- Power of Attorney for India
- Illegal Possession & Encroachment
- Builder Fraud & RERA Complaints
- Buying & Selling Property
- Property Transfer & Mutation
- Landlord-Tenant & Eviction
- Adverse Possession Defence
Inheritance, Wills & Documents
Family, Marriage & OCI
- NRI Divorce
- Child Custody & Guardianship
- Maintenance & Alimony
- Domestic Violence Cases
- Adoption from India
- Marriage Registration
- OCI Card Legal Issues
- Parents & Senior Citizen Rights
Tax, Banking & FEMA
- Income Tax Notices & Appeals
- TDS & Capital Gains on Property Sale
- Repatriation of Funds
- Shares Transmission & IEPF Recovery
- FEMA Compliance & RBI Notices
Business & Corporate
Criminal Defence & Recovery
- FIR Quashing & Bail
- Cheque Bounce & Money Recovery
- Fraud & Cybercrime Recovery
- Look Out Circular & Extradition
Claims & Compensation
Indian mission in Bahrain
Consular services are applied for through the Embassy's outsourced provider; confirm current requirements.
- Embassy of India, Manama
Frequently asked questions
How do I execute a power of attorney in Bahrain for India?
Sign it at the Embassy of India in Manama before the consular officer, or have it notarised and apostilled in Bahrain. Send the original to India for stamping within three months.
What should I do with my NRE account when I return to India?
Inform the bank on return. NRE accounts are redesignated as resident accounts or the balance moved to a resident foreign currency account; FCNR deposits may run to maturity before conversion.
Is my end-of-service gratuity from Bahrain taxable in India?
It relates to service outside India and is generally not taxable here if you were non-resident when it accrued and was received abroad. Take advice on timing if you are returning.
Can my children with foreign passports inherit my property in India?
Yes. Persons of Indian origin can inherit property in India regardless of citizenship. A will and OCI cards for the children make the process easier.
Can I sell my flat in India without travelling from Bahrain?
Yes, through a special power of attorney authorising a named person to sign and register the sale deed and receive payment into your account.
Can I buy a house in India for retirement while working in Bahrain?
Yes, residential and commercial property can be bought through NRE or NRO funds. Have the title verified before paying.
Should I close my NRO account when I return to India?
It is redesignated as a resident account on return; closing is not required.