Employer-sponsored work permit and residence (LMRA), Bahrain
Official name: Work permit (work visa) issued by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority
Most foreign workers in Bahrain need a work permit that their employer applies for through the Labour Market Regulatory Authority's Expat Management System (EMS). LMRA issues and renews work permits, arranges the residence permit and ID card with the other authorities, and books the medical check. Workers can change employer without consent after one full year with the current employer, giving notice as set out in LMRA rules. Expatriates already living in Bahrain on a residence not issued through LMRA (for example dependants or Golden Residency holders) can apply for a separate work permit if their residence has at least 6 months left.
1 entry rule for Bahrain based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list)
Travellers aged 9 months and over arriving from a yellow fever risk country (or after more than 12 hours' airport transit in one) need a valid yellow fever certificate.
WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Bahrain
Finance
3
Currency
Bahraini Dinar
BHD
Bahraini Dinar
Cost of living
49
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Living
1
Happiness
#53 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Premium
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Foreign nationals with a job offer from a Bahraini employer registered with LMRA.
Eligibility
Employer appliesEmployer
Sign in to check this route against your profileThe employer applies through the Expat Management System for the specific job and work location.
Specialised professions
Sign in to check this route against your profileJobs needing a specialisation, such as medical, educational and engineering roles, need approval from the relevant authority.
Changing employer
Sign in to check this route against your profileTo change employer without consent, you need one full year with your current employer and must give notice by registered letter.
- Notify the employer by registered letter within the contract's notice period
- Notice period is not more than 3 months
- With consent: new employer applies and old employer allows the transfer in the LMRA system
Official wording
Without consent: complete one full year with the current employer and notify them by registered letter within the contract's notice period (not more than 3 months). With consent: the new employer applies and the old employer allows the transfer in the LMRA system.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Document checklist
- Steps to apply
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 4 documents
- 4 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Want a licensed advisor to check your case?
Connect with a licensed legal advisor for Bahrain. They set their own price and you pay them directly.
Before you pay anyone, check their licencePlaces to visit in Bahrain
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
