Bahrain: Flexible Work Permit Program Discontinued

Effective immediately, the Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) is discontinuing application acceptance and issuance of the Flexible Work Permit for all foreign nationals. This is part of broader reforms introduced in the labor market, including a focus on retaining workers in the private sector and enhancing notification processes of immigration status. Since this permit type does not require employer sponsorship and is not subject to Bahrain labor laws, employers struggled with retainment and many permit holders have continued employment on canceled or expired permits. Flexible Work Permit holders would have received a notification from the LMRA informing them that the Flexible Work Permit program has been discontinued via an SMS and will be given a three-month grace period to regularize their immigration status based on the new reforms, however, further details on this process are still unclear. Employers are advised to revisit employment agreements with affected employees and permit holders will need to regularize their immigration status as soon as further guidelines are announced to avoid penalties for non-compliance. Fragomen will publish developments as they occur.