Bahrain attracts a large number of businesses and workers due to its liberal business environment, low taxes but also operating costs, and well-known shopping areas. Planning an expansion to Bahrain, on the other hand, entails hiring the right people and ensuring they comply with local regulations. If you don't know how to obtain a work visa in LMRA Bahrain or what type of visa your employees will require, you may have to postpone operations or face fines. In this article, we will talk everything about LMRA Bahrain. So read and find out.
What Kinds of Work Visas Are Available in Bahrain?
If you want to hire foreign workers in Bahrain, you must first determine whether they require a visa. All foreign citizens of the six Gulf States, also known as Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, but also British citizens by birth are exempt from visa requirements. British citizens are allowed to stay for up to a month and can apply for a short extension through the Directorate of Immigrants and refugees and Passports.
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All other individuals must apply for one of the visas listed below:
⦁ Visa for Tourists
This visa is valid for two weeks and is available to citizens of the EU, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States. It does not permit employment.
⦁ Visa for Visitors
Other foreign nationals who want to visit Bahrain using this visa must be sponsored by a Bahraini who applies on their behalf. It is only valid for one month and does not permit employment.
⦁ 72-hour and seven-day visas are available
Short-term business visitors can obtain one of these visas at the border. It is necessary to have an onward ticket and a valid passport.
⦁ Visa for Business
Anyone planning to stay in Bahrain for more than a week on business must obtain a business visa. This visa is valid for up to four weeks, with the length varying according to the type of trip.
⦁ Work permit
If your employees are going to work in any capacity, they will all require work visas. This permit is valid for one to two years and grants your employee's residency. You will handle the majority of the paperwork.
⦁ Visa for family members
Any immediate family members of your worker will require a family visa, also known as a residence permit, to live in Bahrain during the employment period. They are unable to work unless they obtain a separate work visa.
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Qualifications for a Bahrain Work Visa:
Anyone seeking a Bahrain working visa must be sponsored by an employer. The number of visas that your company can sponsor is determined by the physical size of your office as well as foreign quotas set by national regulations. You will handle the majority of the application process on the company’s behalf and must provide a letter of employment, commercial registration number, the employee's capacity, contract duration, and other documents.
Other requirements are as follows:
⦁ A visa application form that has been completed
⦁ Passport of the employee
⦁ A passport-sized photograph
⦁ A copy of the contract containing the employee's name, birth date, and nationality.
⦁ A health record from a licensed clinic
⦁ Evidence of payment
READ ALSO: HOW TO TRACK A BAHRAIN E VISA
What Is the Work Permit Application Process in Bahrain Like?
Before ex-pats start arriving in Bahrain, the Bahraini Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) processes and issues all visas. Employees will be required to complete certain steps in addition to submitting the necessary documents on your end. Employees should demonstrate academic or professional qualifications for the position in addition to providing a medical report.
Other Distinctive Considerations:
Your employees are automatically permitted benefits in Bahrain once they obtain their work permit. A family visa is required for all family members, but it does not apply to extended relatives. Your employees will need to apostle their papers when applying for a family visa, including their birth certificate, marriage certificate, and educational degree certificate.
READ ALSO: APPLY BAHRAIN E VISA APPLICATION
Work with Globalization Partners to obtain Bahraini work visas:
The Globalization Partners team has extensive experience assisting companies of all sizes to expand globally. If you need assistance understanding and obtaining work permits in Bahrain, please contact our team right away.
The application reference number is a tracking ID that was provided to you when you applied for the Tourist Visa Online. If you lose your reference number, you will be unable to use this system to check your eVisa status. Indirect competition exists among GCC countries for the digitalization of government services. As a result, Bahrain fully integrated the online system into the LMRA (Labor Market Regulatory Authority) website. The LMRA is the government agency in charge of issuing visas to visitors, workers, and business people. Foreign workers from all over the world can use the LMRA website to check the status of their work permit application, legal status, and visa validity.
