Work Visa in Bahrain
Fast Work Visa & LMRA Work Permit Services in Manama Bahrain
To work in Bahrain, a foreigner needs a work permit from the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) and a residence permit. The employer applies for it, not the worker. GovtLink Solutions handles the full process for companies in Manama, and explains it clearly to employees.
- LMRA work permit, medical test and residence permit
- Done for the employer, with updates on WhatsApp
- Our fee BHD 230 per work visa
- Help for new companies hiring their first staff
How the Bahrain work visa works
A tourist or visit visa does not allow you to work. Working on a visit visa can lead to fines and deportation.
- A Bahraini company (the employer) sponsors the worker.
- The employer applies to the LMRA for a work permit.
- After approval, the worker enters Bahrain.
- The worker does the medical test and security and fingerprint steps.
- The residence permit and CPR card are issued by the NPRA.
Who needs a work visa?
- Foreign employees joining a company in Bahrain
- Companies hiring staff from abroad
- New businesses that need visas for the owner and first employees
- People changing employer inside Bahrain
Types of permits
- Standard work permit: linked to one employer, usually 1 or 2 years
- Temporary work permit: short or project-based work
- Dependant (family) visa: for the worker’s family. See our Family Visa page.
Documents required
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- Passport-size photo
- Signed employment contract (role, salary, duration)
- Medical certificate from an approved clinic
- Company commercial registration (CR) and details
- Extra approval letters for some jobs, such as doctors, engineers and teachers
Employer conditions
LMRA looks at the company’s available visa quota, its Bahrainisation targets, and whether the job fits the company’s licensed activity. A company with a valid CR and the right activity has the best chance. If your company is new, see our Company Formation service.
Work visa fees
Our service fee is BHD 230 per work visa.
Government permit fees depend on whether you take a 1-year or 2-year permit. We give you the exact current amount before we start, so there are no surprises.
How long does it take?
LMRA approval is usually a few working days, and can take up to about two weeks when busy. The residence permit can only start after the worker arrives in Bahrain.
How we help
- Check your company can sponsor the visa
- Prepare and submit the LMRA application
- Arrange the medical test and fingerprints
- Apply for the residence permit and CPR card
- Track every step and tell you what is needed next
Common problems
We spot these early and fix them before they delay your visa.
- Company has no free visa quota
- Job title does not match the company activity
- Expired CR or unpaid government fees
- Medical test from a clinic that is not approved
What happens after the visa is approved
Approval from the LMRA is only the middle of the process, and many people think they are finished too early. After approval:
- Entry. The worker travels to Bahrain on the approved permit. It must be used within its validity period.
- Medical test. Done at an approved centre. A failed or missing test stops the residence permit.
- Fingerprints and security check. Done once the worker is in Bahrain.
- Residence permit and CPR card. Issued by the NPRA. The CPR card is needed for banking, health insurance, a phone line and a rental contract.
- Health insurance. Required for workers. The employer normally arranges it.
Work visa checklist for employers
Before you hire from abroad, check:
- Your CR is valid and the job fits the CR activity
- You have an LMRA employer account and free visa quota
- The employment contract is signed by both sides
- The worker’s passport has at least 6 months left
- You have a clinic and a budget for the medical test and fees
Work visa for a new company
If one of these is missing, the application can be rejected or delayed. We check this list with you before we apply, so you do not pay fees for an application that will fail.
A new company cannot sponsor visas until its commercial registration is issued and an LMRA account is open. The usual order is: register the company, open the LMRA account, then apply for the owner’s and first employees’ visas. We handle all of this under one roof. See Company Formation and Investor Visa for owners who want residence through their own company.
Why companies use GovtLink for work visas
Hiring from abroad is a deadline problem. A worker who cannot start on time costs you money, and a rejected application costs you fees. We work in Manama every day with the LMRA process, so we know which documents get questioned and which job titles cause trouble. You get one contact person on WhatsApp, a clear list of what we need, and an update at each stage, instead of chasing the status yourself. We also tell you honestly when an application is likely to fail, so you can fix the problem first.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I apply for a work visa myself?
- No. The employer applies. We act for the employer.
- How long is a work permit valid?
- Usually 1 or 2 years, and it can be renewed.
- Who pays the fees?
- Normally the employer. Check your contract.
- Can I change employer?
- Yes, with the right cancellation and transfer steps. See our LMRA Services.
- Can I work on a visit visa?
- No.
- What if the company has no visa quota?
- We check this first and tell you what is possible.
- Can you hire visas for a new company?
- Yes, once the company has its CR.
- How much do you charge for a work visa?
- Our service fee is BHD 230 per work visa. Government fees depend on the permit length and are confirmed before we start.