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New and Temporary Work Visa

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If the organization / employer had fulfilled all the conditions for getting work permits, they can apply online.

For new applications (New Work / Family / Mobility)

  1. Check that the CR as well as other branches of the CR that you are applying for does not have any offences.
  2. Check if there are offences (overstaying , data cleansing etc…) for the expat you are applying for, and in case of dependents , also make the same check for the primary worker (the father or the husband).
  3. If the person you are applying for already has a CPR number or a CPR card, you must write that CPR number in the relevant field and also upload the CPR card copy with your application. If you failed to do this and as a result another CPR was issued to the person, he/she may be refused entry and deported and the employer will be liable for expenses of deportation.
  4. Expats who were born in Bahrain, their CPR number can be found on their birth certificate –
    (Any resulting delay or issues because of the CPR number is solely the responsibility of the applicant / Employer).
     
  5. For private sector applications you need The latest (Paid) electricity bill for the CR
    with the exception of: Fisheries, Farms SCRAP services located in Alba area (block 953 only) 
    • This bill should be paid and its issue date not older than 3 months
    • Supply Address in the bill must match the CR’s address.
    • The bill shouldn't be a final notification to cut the electricity supply.
    • Current account guarantee deposit bonds are not accepted. (If a new CR is not yet billed, you need to upload a print- out from the electricity and water authority showing that the account had been opened or transferred to that specific CR.)
    • If electricity is not your responsibility (for example: Shops in Malls, or electricity paid by the landlord) you will need to upload a proof, like the lease contract.
  6. Ensure that you have all the correct original documents (apart from the passport – copy is ok) - check the documents authenticity and avoid using faxed passport copies as they are not clear.
  7. Scan the documents – one at a time - in color 100 or 150 DPI (Dots per Inch) using the program that came with your scanner; and only scan the document (passport, medical report etc…) without the white space around it.
  8. Ensure that your scans are clearly legible and that the orientation is correct. (i.e. the image is not upside down or turned on its side etc…) Do not combine more than one page into the same scan.
    NOTE: You must save the scanned file as an image (JPG or GIF) – the system does not accept word or PDF documents.
  9. Save the scanned images then resize them to the EMS requirements using the online image tool available here: Images Tool,
    This image tool will help you reduce the file size to the required size without much effect on the clarity of the document (common graphics software ex: Paint and Photoshop can also be used - but not recommended).
  10. Save the output images that you will get from the image tool (jpg or gif) and use them when uploading onto The EMS system.
  11. When you reach the documents upload page there are specific upload fields for the documents that you are uploading, you should only upload the documents in their correct fields (for example: the first passport page in “Passport 1”, and the second page is in “passport 2” etc…) – only use the “other” or” other documents” or any other available field, if you do not see a specific upload field for the documents that you need to upload.
  12. For all Arab Nationalities, the Arabic name fields and other Arabic details fields must be filled correctly – in Arabic language. (in addition to the English fields).
  13. 13. After uploading and before you click on “save and close”, click each link (the link appears next to the relevant document field) to check and view the document that you have successfully uploaded.
  14. On the last page and before the final submission, you must carefully check all the information that you are about to submit, against the passport copy and the other documents that you have, ensuring that there are no spelling errors or other discrepancies.
  15. 15. After your correct submission, the application process should take 10 work days (or less), and if approved, the application would move to “await payment”, you need to arrange for payment as soon as possible to avoid the application’s cancellation; The best way to pay is online through the EMS system and using a credit card, once paid you will be able to print the issued visa within 2 working days.
  16. If you have made a mistake in the data entry or did not fulfill any of the requirements , your application will be “sent back” for correction , once it is sent back the counter will reset and the applicant is solely responsible for any subsequent delays.
  17. Before resubmitting your “sent back” application check thoroughly that:
    • The rest of the information are ALL correct .
    • The uploaded documents are ALL correct, clearly legible and uploaded in the correct order .
    • There are still NO offences on the CR or its other branches.

Otherwise, the application will be sent back again.

Also note:

  • Once the expat has been issued a work / family visa, he/she must not change the passport or update any details on the passport before entering the country and completing the formalities. Employees who arrive in Bahrain on a different passport will be deported at the expense of the employer.
  • If the expat does not have a residential address in the system (Zero address), you are required to update this address within 30 days of the expats’ arrival. Not updating this will cause problems to the expat, delay the issuance of CPR card from the CIO and your CR will be also placed under administrative offence.

Requirements:

  1. LoLogon to LMRA’s EMS system and complete the electronic application form (as per the information in the passport and other related documents).
  2. A copy of the passport of the Expat (foreign employee), including all the pages containing the personal information (example: Pages 1 and 2), as well as the page that has the names of the father / mother or husband / Wife (Only for the Nationals of India and Pakistan) Example: Page 36.
  3. The passport must be valid for at least period of 6 months (and preferably valid for two years).
  4. A copy of the foreign employee’s CPR (if he/she previously had a CPR number).
  5. A copy of the “job offer letter” between the employer and foreign employee (one or two pages Max.) On the company’s letterhead or a government official paper.
    It must include the following information:
    "The Names of the employer and the foreign employee, passport number, Nationality, job role (occupation) of the employee, salary, employment and notice periods. This job offer letter should be signed by the employer and the employee and bear the seal / stamp of the employer. It should state that the offer is subject to successful application of the work visa.
  6. The Medical check-up report for the foreign employee , done in his/her home or current residence country (or the nearest place to it) showing him / her as fit to work. 
    • Report or certificate should not be older than three months from the issue date.
    • It must be issued by one of the centers accredited by the Ministry of Health as published on LMRA’s website Authorized Health Centers .
    • In the absence of an accredited center in the residential city or country of the expat employee, a report / certificate from any official medical center will be accepted.
    • Certificate of medical examination is not required if the employee is already in Bahrain (And it is not required for dependents).
    • For more information and a list of accredited centers follow this link: Authorized Health Centers .
  7. If the person is already in Bahrain (e.g. on a social visa visa), you must attach a copy of the latest grace period or extension issued by the General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence – GDNPR.
  8. For certain specialized occupations , you need the approval letter / no-objection certificate from relevant authority (approval must be as recent as possible and should not be older than 6 months)
    as follows:
    • Engineers and engineering jobs: Approval from the Ministry of Works - Committee for the organization of engineering practices.
    • For banking and insurance companies’ managers: Approval from the Central Bank of Bahrain – CBB.
    • For mosques and “Ma’atams / Husainneyas”: Approval from the Ministry of Justice and endowments “Awqaf”.
    • For medical professionals: approval from the Ministry of Health.
    • For education related occupations in the private sector: Approval of the Ministry of Education.
  9. Additional requirements for Bangladeshi Nationals (employment permits only)
    In addition to the all of the above you also need:
    • The employee’s age must be at least 25 years.
    • A letter from the Embassy/ Mission of Bangladesh attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain confirming the correct details of the employee as well as the CR number of the employer.

Other requirements:

  1. If the expat / foreign National has a stamped multiple entry visa (return visa) on his /her passport, it must be canceled first, before submitting the application (whether he/she employee is in Bahrain or abroad).
  2. If the request for the work permit is for a foreign investor, then from visa selection page (first page of the application) please choose the type of visa /permit as: "Investor’s WP" and when filling the application (second/third page) enter the profession / occupation as : "General Manager" , “CEO” or “Managing Director”. (Note: if the invested capital of this investor is more than BD. 100,000 “Bahraini Dinars” , he/she does not need a work permit – if that is the case you need to contact Bahrain Investors center - Ministry of commerce).
  3. Housewife to work visa applications are applied for, manually at LMRA customer services first, in order to obtain the approval of the General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence -GDNPR , as well as LMRA on the application in principle. This is done outside the system and without cancelling the existing housewife visa.
  4. You must comply with all the above requirements also in case of “sent back” applications and check that they have been fulfilled, before resubmitting the application. Resubmitting the application without correction or without fulfilling all the requirements would result in more sent backs, unnecessary delays and will eventually lead to the cancellation of the application.
  5. Applications for expat employees who are 60 years of age or older, are subject the CEO’s approval. The employer (or his/her authorized person) needs to visit LMRA customer services and fill out the designated form, and attach the following documents:
    • A copy of the identity card / CPR card of the applicant, (applicant be registered in the EMS as an authorized person for the relevant CR/ employer )
    • A copy of the CPR card or passport of the foreign employee.
    • A copy of the valid Commercial Register (CR), or unit certificate.
    • Copy of the certificates of experience or academic degree(s) of the foreign employee .
    • The original certificate for “private health insurance cover” of the foreign employee, from any medical insurance company for the period of 2 years.

 

Last Update: Tuesday 2 October 2012