LMRA Services in Bahrain

What does the LMRA do?

Many of its services are now online through the Expat Management System (EMS) and its client service branches.

• Issues and renews work permits for expatriates
• Approves cancellations and transfers
• Tracks workers’ legal status
• Sets rules for employers, such as Bahrainisation targets and visa quotas

Our LMRA services

New work permit. For a worker joining your company. See Work Visa.

Work permit renewal. We renew before expiry so work and residence continue without a gap. Renewal is allowed before the expiry date, so do not wait until the last week.

Work permit cancellation. The employer cancels the permit when an employee leaves. We submit it and get the cancellation certificate.

Visa transfer / change of employer. When a worker moves to a new company, we handle the cancellation and the new permit together.

Change of occupation or details. Update job title, address or other worker details.

Status check. We check the permit and legal status of your worker using their personal number or passport number.

Expat support. Guidance if you are not sure about your status, for example after a cancellation or an expired permit.

Who needs these services?

• Companies with foreign employees
• Employees whose permit is about to expire
• People who have left a job and need to transfer
• New businesses setting up their first visas. See Company Formation

The 30-day period after cancellation

After a work permit is cancelled, an expatriate generally has a limited time, commonly 30 days, to find a new employer and transfer. Missing it can lead to fines or leaving the country. If you are in this situation, contact us as soon as possible.

Documents usually needed

The exact list depends on the service. We confirm it on your first call.

• Passport and residence card (CPR)
• Company commercial registration (CR)
• Current work permit details
• Employment contract or cancellation letter
• Any unpaid fees cleared

LMRA service fees

LMRA charges government fees for each service. We tell you the exact amount, and our own fee, before we start.

How we help

1. You tell us what you need on WhatsApp.
2. We check the status of the permit and the company.
3. We prepare and submit the application.
4. We follow up and send you the result or certificate.

Why use a service company?

LMRA rules and online systems change often. A small mistake, such as a wrong job title or an unpaid fee, can stop an application. We do this every day, so we avoid those mistakes and save you trips and waiting.

Renewing a work permit in detail

A work permit has an expiry date, and the residence permit depends on it. If the permit expires, the worker can face fines and the company can be penalised. A good process looks like this:

• 60 days before expiry: check the permit date and the passport validity. The passport should have at least 6 months left.
• 30 days before expiry: collect the documents and start the renewal.
• After approval: renew the residence permit and update the CPR card.
• Always: make sure health insurance and company fees are paid. Unpaid items block renewal.

Cancelling a work permit properly

When an employee resigns or is terminated, the employer should cancel the permit on time. A permit that is left open can keep the company responsible for that person. Correct cancellation gives the worker a certificate and starts their grace period. We prepare the cancellation, pay the fees and send you the certificate, so the file is closed cleanly.

Transferring to a new employer

A transfer moves a worker from one company to another without leaving Bahrain. It needs the old permit to be cancelled and the new employer to apply for a new permit. Doing these in the right order avoids gaps and fines. We coordinate both sides, with the old company and the new one, so the worker is always covered.

Mistakes we help you avoid

• Waiting until the last week to renew
• Cancelling the permit but not telling the worker about the grace period
• Wrong job title or wrong company activity on the application
• Unpaid fees or fines that block the system
• Using an agent who does not give you a receipt or certificate

Fines and penalties: why timing matters

Staying in Bahrain on an expired or cancelled permit can lead to fines, a travel ban or removal from the country. For companies, employing a worker without a valid permit can bring penalties and problems with future applications. Most of these cases start with a missed date, not a bad intention. That is why we ask clients to send us permit expiry dates early, and why we recommend a quick status check whenever you are unsure.