Bahrain · Skilled Worker Visa

New Work Permit

By António Mira, Founder · Member, Arab-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCIAP) & Portuguese-Saudi Business Council (PSBC)
✓ Verified against the official government source · Last verified 2026-06-24 · Our methodology
5.8/10 diff
Challenging

Standard expatriate work permit issued by LMRA under Law No. (19) of 2006. Tied to the employing commercial registration…

Min income
Processing
3+ days
Path to PR
No
Job offer
Required
Direct answer

Standard expatriate work permit issued by LMRA under Law No. (19) of 2006. Tied to the employing commercial registration. After 1 calendar year worker may transfer to another employer without prior consent (Article 25). Duration set by LMRA Board orders (1y/2y standard tiers); not stated verbatim on LMRA pages 30 or 106.

At a Glance

Visa Duration
12 months
Processing Time
3+ days
Min Income
Path to PR
No
Difficulty
5/10 — Challenging

Eligibility Requirements

RequirementDetails
Age Range18+
Job Offer RequiredYes
Sponsorship RequiredYes
Health Insurance RequiredNo

Family & Rights

RightDetails
Path to Permanent ResidencyNo

Related Pathways

Cost of Living

Manama
Single (monthly)€1,040
Family (monthly)€2,200
Rent 1BR (center)€550
Groceries€200
Transport pass€62

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the New Work Permit?

Standard expatriate work permit issued by LMRA under Law No. (19) of 2006. Tied to the employing commercial registration. After 1 calendar year worker may transfer to another employer without prior consent (Article 25). Duration set by LMRA Board orders (1y/2y standard tiers); not stated verbatim on LMRA pages 30 or 106.

Can the New Work Permit lead to permanent residency?

No — this is a temporary pathway and does not itself lead to permanent residence. Holders often switch to a different route to pursue settlement.

Are there alternative pathways to Bahrain?

Yes. Bahrain offers 8 other immigration pathways. Compare all options on our Bahrain country page.

What is the cost of living in Bahrain?

Monthly costs for a single person in city center: Manama: €1,040/mo. These include rent, groceries, transport, and utilities.

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Official source

Requirements on this page are based on this official/primary source:

Data last verified: 2026-06-24 · See our methodology

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