Bahrain Sets New Work Permit Rules for Foreign Workers

Bahrain's Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) has outlined three essential requirements for employers to obtain work permits for foreign workers. Firstly, any expatriate employee currently holding a multiple-entry permit must have that permit cancelled before a new work permit application can be submitted.

Secondly, employers are obligated to arrange for the immediate deportation of any foreign worker who fails to pass the mandatory examination, with no grace period provided for this requirement. Lastly, if a foreign worker previously resided in Bahrain and was assigned a personal identification number, that same number must be used in the new permit application; using a different number is not allowed.

The processing time for work permit applications varies based on the worker's location: applications for those already in Bahrain are targeted for approval within three working days, while those for workers outside the country may take up to 21 working days.