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Updated August 2024
Key takeaways
Bahrain work permits are required for non-GCC nationals.
Bahrain work permits are issued by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority with employer sponsorship.
Anyone between the ages of 21 and 60 is eligible to apply for a Bahrain work permit.
Table of Contents
What is a Bahrain work permit?
A work permit for Bahrain is a necessary document for foreign workers who have received a job offer from a Bahraini company. The work permit is submitted to and issued by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority. The employer or a Bahraini national will act as the sponsor for the worker seeking to obtain a Bahrain work permit.
Additionally, the number of permits a company can sponsor depends on the physical size of its office and the foreign quotas established by national regulations.
GCC nationals can enter the Kingdom of Bahrain without any permits.
Please note that the terms “work permit” and “work visa” are used interchangeably in Bahrain. However, “work permit” is the official term employed by the Bahraini government, and the same will be consistently used throughout this article. Once a work permit is obtained, there is no requirement for a separate work visa.
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Age limit
Anyone between the ages of 21 and 60 is eligible to apply for a Bahrain work permit. If the applicant is over 60, the employer can request a work permit, which may be granted if the case is deemed genuine and necessary.
Work permits for expatriates over 60 are typically issued only for positions requiring specialised experience, such as roles in medicine, education, engineering, insurance, or banking.
Validity
The Bahrain work permit is valid for 1 to 2 years, depending on the sponsor, who grants the employees residency in Bahrain.
Documents required
The application process for a Bahrain work permit is primarily handled by the employer on behalf of the employee. To log in and apply for a work permit, the employer must have an expat management system (EMS).
The following documents must be submitted by the employer to apply for the Bahrain work permit:
- Permit application form
- Employee’s passport, should be valid for at least six (6) months from the date of issue of permit.
- Passport size photograph
- Sponsorship letter: a letter of employment indicating the employer’s name/organisation, commercial registration number, employee’s capacity, salary, contract duration, employee’s name, birth date and nationality
- Intention to Transfer form (if the employee is transferring from one employer to another in Bahrain)
- Copy of the contract
- Medical test report (GAMCA Approved)
How to apply for a Bahrain work permit?
In order to obtain a Bahrain work permit, the employer has to follow these steps:
- Log in to the LMRA EMS system and start the process of applying for a new work permit.
- Print the application confirmation.
- Check the application status by:
- Log in to the EMS system and use the application ID.
- Visiting the express Services section on LMRA’s website using the application ID or the expat’s passport number or personal number
- Calling LMRA’s contact center on +973 17506055 and giving the application ID to the service agents
- After receiving the approval on the new work permit, pay the fees through the EMS system or visit one of the accredited banks.
- Print the work permit from the EMS system.
- Take the print to the immigration office to get the work permit sticker.
If you’re looking to learn more about Bahrain’s residence permit, please consult our dedicated article below.
Processing time
The typical processing time for a Bahrain work permit is 3 to 10 business days if the employee is already in Bahrain and 18 to 25 business days if the employee is located outside of Bahrain.
After the employer pays for the permit, they can print the work permit from the LMRA Expat Management System (EMS) and send it to the employee to make their travel arrangements.
What is a Bahrain work permit fee?
The cost for a Bahrain work permit is as follows.
- Service Fees:
- One-year permit: BHD 172
- Two-year permit: BHD 344
- Dependent Fees: BHD 90
- Administrative Fee: BHD 5
How to renew your Bahrain work permit?
Renewing your work permit in Bahrain follows a similar process to your initial application, and it is typically managed by your employer. However, it’s important to be aware of the timelines for renewal based on the duration of your existing permit:
- For a 2-year permit: You can renew up to 6 months before it expires
- For a 1-year permit: You can renew up to 6 months before it expires
- For a 6-month permit: You can renew up to 5 months before it expires
The cost of renewing your work permit depends on the extension period:
- BHD 50 for a 6-month renewal
- BHD 100 for a 1-year renewal
- BHD 200 for a 2-year renewal
To renew your work permit, your employer can use either the Expatriate Management System or the official LMRA channels.
