Bahrain allows foreign workers to work for other employers for up to 90 days.
Bahrain now allows foreign workers to work for another company for up to 90 days, subject to obtaining a work permit, paying taxes, and receiving LMRA permission.
Foreign workers in Bahrain can now work temporarily for another company for up to 90 days, giving firms additional flexibility in hiring abroad talent for short-term needs.
The worker must maintain a valid work permit throughout the arrangement. The application is processed by Bahrain's Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) Expat Management System.
The second employer must apply via the LMRA system and pay a BHD 5 administrative fee.
If the second employer's required Bahrainisation rate is lower than the worker's current employer's rate, an extra fee may be charged. The computation is based on the Bahrainisation rates of both firms, not the exact job or activity that the foreign worker will do.
Previously, foreign workers could not be temporarily assigned to another employer under this type of arrangement.
What Does It Mean for Foreign Workers?
The reform may make short-term assignments easier for firms who require skilled labor without taking up full sponsorship.
For foreign professionals working in Bahrain, the practical benefit will be determined by their employer and the terms of the temporary agreement. The worker's current work permit must remain valid for the entire duration.
Bahrain has been moving toward more flexible labor-market laws, and this latest policy builds on that larger effort by allowing short-term access to foreign workers simpler for employers.
Travunited Take:
We regard this as a practical shift for Indian professionals in Bahrain, particularly those working on short-term assignments, project work, or temporary transfers between qualifying businesses.
