Flexi Permit in Bahrain

August 2017 

In line with recent regulatory developments in the labour market sector, the Minister of Interior issued the Resolution No. 108 of 2017 with regards to the correction of the status of the residents in Bahrain by way of issuance of Employer permit. Such resolution requires all expatriates residing illegally in the Kingdom of Bahrain to pay the residence extension fees for obtaining the flexi permit. 

As of July 2017, the LMRA has launched the Flexi Permit.

What Is Flexi Permit ?

The flexi permit is a permit issued for a  renewable period of two years. Such permit enables the eligible expatriate to reside in the Kingdom of Bahrain and work under the employment of one or more individuals on a full or part-time basis. There are two types of flexi permits, these are as follows: 

The Flexi Permit, which is the permit intended for individuals who are only permitted to work in a non-specialized type of job and are not however allowed to work in restaurants, salons and hotels. 

The Flexi Hospitality Permit, which is the permit intended for individuals who are permitted to work in any non-specialized type of job and work in restaurants, salons and hotels. Such individuals are required to undergo and pass a medical check at the Ministry of Health’s authorized medical centers, prior to gaining the Flexi Hospitality Permit.

Eligibility  

In order for the expatriates to be eligible for a flexi permit the expatriate must have either a terminated work  permit or a work permit that has expired and has not been renewed, and an original passport that is valid for a period of at least six months. 

Benefits

There are many benefits to be contemplated by the launch of the Flexi Permit.

Benefits related to employers shall be as follows: 

  • The ability to employ expatriate workers to carry out temporary and casual work on a full time or part-time basis;

  • Exemption of payment of any fees and payments due to the LMRA in connection with the such expatriate workers; and

  • Exempted from paying return travel tickets of the relevant expatriate worker. 

Benefits related to the expatriate shall include the following:

  • Residing and working in the Kingdom of Bahrain legally;

  • The ability to work with more than one employer on a full or part-time basis; and

  • Being able to travel from and back to the Kingdom of Bahrain.