Work visas
Bahraini Work Permit (Employment Visa)
The main route for a Bahrain employer to sponsor an expatriate worker, regulated by the LMRA.
Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
Important information
Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Bahrain government website before you apply.
- Official name
- New Work Permit for Expatriates (LMRA)
- Route type
- Employer-sponsored work permit with residence
- Regulator
- Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), with NPRA
- Permit duration
- One or two years (matched to the employment contract); a six-month option exists for certain in-country cases
- Indicative fees
- Around BHD 195 (1 year) / BHD 390 (2 years) plus admin and, from outside Bahrain, advertising fees
- Processing
- Around 3 working days (inside Bahrain) / 21 working days (from outside)
Who it is for
- Expatriates with a job offer from a Bahrain-licensed employer
- Employers sponsoring skilled or general workers under the LMRA framework
Requirements
- A sponsoring employer registered with the LMRA
- Wafid-accredited medical certificate obtained in the home country for applicants coming from abroad
- Employment contract setting the permit period
- Any prior multiple-entry permit cancelled before applying; existing personal number re-used if previously issued
What you can do
- Work legally in Bahrain for the sponsoring employer for the permit period
- Obtain residence and, subject to income conditions, sponsor eligible dependants
- Renew the permit in line with continued employment
How to apply
- Employer logs in to the LMRA EMS and opens New Work Permit → New Expatriate Permit
- Select the work-visa type and enter the required data
- Arrange the Wafid medical (for applicants outside Bahrain) and any required job advertisement
- Pay the fees and await processing and issue of the permit
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.