Work Employment Visa In Bahrain: Explained

Embarking on a professional journey in Bahrain begins with a critical step: obtaining a work and employment visa is a hurdle? Worry not! We’ve got your back!

This gateway to opportunity in the heart of the Gulf is not just about paperwork; it’s about unlocking a world of career possibilities. This guide demystifies the process, offering clear, concise insights to help you navigate the path to your professional aspirations in Bahrain with confidence.

Let’s dive in!

Types Of Visas In Bahrain

Tourist Visa: This visa is valid for two weeks and is issued to citizens of the United States, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, and the EU. It does not permit employment.
Visitor Visa: Other foreign nationals who want to visit Bahrain on this visa must be sponsored by a Bahraini who applies on their behalf. It is only suitable for one month and does not permit employment.
72-hour And Seven-Day Visas: These visas are available at the point of entry for short-term business visitors. It is vital to have an onward ticket and a valid passport.
Business Visa: It is required for anyone staying in Bahrain for more than a week on business. This visa is valid for up to four weeks, depending on the nature of the travel.

What Are My Visa Options?

Visas for work in the Gulf require two things:

A willing employer.
Permission to enter or live in the nation.

Because your employment visa is related to your job position, double-check the requirements before applying.

The second stage of this process is mainly determined by the country into which you are going, whether through immigration or transit restrictions.

Some countries lack formal immigration procedures, instead relying on their inhabitants to return after a certain period. Following the guidelines is usually not too difficult.

Bahrain Employment Visa Requirements

The candidate must be sponsored by the owner of the organization or a Bahraini citizen in order to obtain a work visa; you can only apply for a Bahrain employment visa if you have one.

The capacity of the organization to issue visas is based on its area or physical size.

It also depends on the foreign quotas set by Bahraini officials. The sponsors supply formal facts such as the work offer letter, the employee’s capacity, and the duration of the job contract.

A few documents, such as the visa application and original and scanned passport, are required. In addition, health records and information from authorized hospitals are required.

Payment evidence of one hundred (100) BD is required. There will be the paperwork required for the Bahrain employment visa processing.

You can check the status of your work visa by visiting Bahrain’s official website.

The details requested are the applicant’s passport number, nationality, birth date, and, if possible, the reference number.

After providing the information mentioned above, click the submit button.

Then, the visa processing data and status are presented on the screen.

How To Check The Visa Status?

The procedure begins after gathering and submitting the required documentation. The visa is processed by the LMRA (labor market regulatory authority).

They will verify all of the provided documentation before approving the visa. They examine all documents, including medical analysis reports, educational credentials, and contracts.

All of this processing could take up to 4-5 business days.

Bahrain Employment Visas In 2023

Foreign professionals intending to work in Bahrain must first get a resident visa and a work permit (known in Bahrain as the labor card) before they may relocate.

A foreign national may be given a resident visa in Bahrain.

Their Bahrain-incorporated company sponsors them.
They own shares in a Bahraini company.
They are obtaining working for a local company.
Acquiring real estate in Bahrain.

Entrepreneurs Visas

International entrepreneurs relocating to Bahrain to handle their businesses on a local level must apply for an investor work permit.

This two-year visa is accessible to investors/partners with a minimum share capital of a corporation WLL (Limited Liability Company).

Investors with more than $265,000 in shares in a Bahraini company. Only a residence visa is required. A work permit is not required.

Following receiving the investor work permit, resident visas can be obtained from the Nationality, Passport, and Immigration Service.

Obtaining a “No Objection Certificate” (NOC) from the National Parks and Recreation Administration (NPRA). Entrepreneurs can work on multiple projects at the same time.

Investing in property of no less than US$132,700 and maintaining a minimum balance of US$40,000 in a local Bahraini bank account makes investors eligible for residence visas.

Employment Visas/Work Permit

In order to obtain a two-year employment visa in the country, expatriates must either be sponsored by their employing organizations or by Bahraini nationals.

The number of visas that a company is able to sponsor is dependent on:

The physical office size the organization utilizes.
The company’s available quota for foreign employees is based on Bahraini regulations.

The Bahraini Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) issues employment visas to expats prior to their arrival. The labor card, issued upon arrival, is an identity card and must be carried at all times.

The sponsoring company must additionally submit proof of third-party work contracts as well as proof that the position requires foreign expertise

For a visa application, the employee must submit:

A medical examination report
Copies of a valid passport contract of employment
Academic or professional qualifications for the post secured
A copy of the letter of sponsorship from an employer

What Will Be The Price For An Employment Visa In Bahrain?

Working people in Bahrain are granted an employment visa. The employment visa costs twelve ($12) dollars. The cost of an employment visa in Bahrain dinar is 5 BD.

People who have a tourist or visitor visa are not eligible to work. Even if there are open positions, you cannot apply for them. This applies if you obtain a tourist visa and visit Bahrain.

Visitor Visas

Foreign nationals who desire to visit Bahrain for either i) a short-term business trip or ii) tourism must get a visitor visa online, at the Bahraini Embassy, or the Bahraini consulate in their own country.

Passport holders from any GCC member country are not required to obtain a visa before entering Bahrain, however;

Foreign nationals from any of the 116 countries listed above can apply for and receive 14-day visas online, which are subject to renewal
Nationals of countries not listed above must apply for visas at their nearest Bahrain embassy or consulate, sponsored by a Bahraini corporation, hotel, or tourism organization

Bahrain And Visas

An Employee Is In Bahrain On A Visit Visa

When applying for a Bahrain work visa, you must include a copy of your visit visa and the entry stamp on your passport.

This documentation proves your past travel to the country and enables the transition from a visit visa to an employment visa.

It is vital to note that this transfer will incur an extra fee of BHD 60.

This charge covers the administrative procedures of changing your visa status, guaranteeing a smooth transition from visitor to employee in Bahrain.

An Employee Is In Bahrain And Does Not Have A Visa

If the employee visa is canceled within 30 days, he can apply for a new visa and transfer form using the above documentation.

If his visa is canceled for more than 30 days, he must apply for another grace period from the National Passport and Residence Affairs (NPRA) before applying for a Bahrain work visa.

When the employer files the visa application, the system generates a visa application ID, a seven (7) digit number that will be used to trace the visa application process.

An Employee Is Out Of Bahrain

A seven-day advertisement in local newspapers indicating the position, company name, e-mail address, and phone number registered in the LMRA system to allow interested Bahrainis and expatriates resident in Bahrain to apply for the job.

The LMRA has put the Visa application process on hold for 14 days. When completed, the application advances to the next stage.

An Employee Is In Bahrain And Under Another Company Sponsorship/visa

The prior employer must either authorize the transfer of an existing employee’s Bahrain work visa or revoke the Bahrain work permit so the new employer can submit a Bahrain work visa application for further processing.

If the prior employer cancels the visa, the employee must obtain the visa within 30 days of the new sponsor’s grace period or request a 30-day extension from the National Passport and Residence Affairs (NPRA).

Conclusion

As we wrap up our guide to securing a work and employment visa in Bahrain, remember that this is more than a bureaucratic necessity; it’s your ticket to a new realm of professional growth and cultural experiences.

Equipped with the right knowledge, your transition to working in Bahrain can be as smooth as the Arabian Gulf’s serene waters. Here’s to new beginnings in a land of rich opportunities!

Career Unlocked!

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