Work In Bahrain: Visa Options For Dependents

If you're considering a move to Bahrain, you'll need to obtain a work visa. This vibrant nation in the Persian Gulf boasts one of the highest employment rates in the world, attracting professionals from all over the globe with its business-friendly environment, high salaries, and low taxes. But what about your family? Can your dependents work in Bahrain? The short answer is yes, but there are a few procedures and requirements that need to be followed. In this paragraph, we will explore the topic of dependent visas and work permits in Bahrain, providing insight into the process of gaining employment for spouses and children who accompany professionals on their journey to this dynamic and thriving nation.

Dependents of foreign workers can get a residency permit

In Bahrain, employers can request the issuance of residence permits for their employees' dependents (spouse and children up to the age of 24). This is known as a Dependants Residency Permit. The process involves submitting an application through the Expatriate Labour Management System of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority. The employer must be registered in the system as an authorized or responsible person, and the foreign employee's monthly net income must be at least BD 400 or more.

To apply for a Dependants Residency Permit, the following documents are required:

• A copy of the dependent's passport: The passport must be valid for at least 6 months, but it is recommended to have it valid for at least 2 years. The passport should include all relevant information, such as alterations, updates, and the dependent's first name, father's name, or family name.
• Marriage certificate in Arabic or English: The certificate should be certified by the relevant authorities, depending on the nationality of the applicant.
• Birth certificate of the enrolled person (dependent) in Arabic or English: If the birth certificate is translated, it must be certified by the embassy of the country of origin in Bahrain and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
• Copy of the employee's passport or Identity Card, if available.
• Additional documents may include a no-objection letter from the dependent's parents or legal guardians, divorce or death certificates, and proof of address, such as recent utility bills.

It is important to note that the applicant, foreign worker, or entrant must not have any administrative notes that prevent the submission of a new work permit. Additionally, the enrollee must not already possess a valid work permit. The nationality of the worker must be among those authorized to be recruited from abroad.

Once the application is submitted, an application ID will be issued, and the employer will be notified. The application fees must be paid to avoid cancellation. After approval, the fees for the residency permit need to be paid, and the permit can then be printed through the Kingdom of Bahrain's National Portal.

Dependents need a work permit to work in Bahrain

If you are planning to work in Bahrain and have dependents who will accompany you, it is important to understand the visa requirements for your family members. Bahrain has specific regulations in place for dependents, and they will need the appropriate visas and permits to reside and work in the country.

Visa Requirements for Dependents

To facilitate the arrival of your family members in Bahrain, you must meet certain eligibility criteria. Firstly, you must hold a valid Bahrain Work Visa before applying for their visas. Additionally, to qualify for family sponsorship, your monthly salary must be at least BHD 400. Once you fulfil these criteria, you can initiate the application process for your dependents, which includes submitting supporting documents such as copies of their passports, marriage certificates, and birth certificates for children.

Work Permit for Dependents

Spouses and children on a family visa or student visa are not permitted to work in Bahrain unless they change their visa status. If your spouse wishes to work while remaining a dependent on the family visa, they can apply for a Work Approval for Dependents permit. If approved, they will be granted a work permit, allowing them to work legally in Bahrain while retaining their family visa status. This provision enables your spouse to pursue employment opportunities without compromising their dependent status.

Application Process

The application process for the Work Approval for Dependents permit can be initiated by your employer through the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA). Employers can request the issuance of residence permits for their employees' dependents, including spouses and children up to the age of 24. The process involves submitting the required documents, and the authority will review the application before approving the work permit. It is important to ensure that all documentation is in order to avoid delays or complications in the process.

In conclusion, if you are planning to work in Bahrain and have dependents who intend to work, it is essential to understand that they will need the appropriate work permits. By following the necessary steps, including obtaining the required visas and permits, your dependents can legally work and reside in Bahrain, accompanying you on your professional journey in this vibrant nation.

Spouses and children can get a family joining visa

Spouses and children can obtain a Bahrain Family Visa, also known as a Dependants Residency Permit, to join their family members residing in Bahrain. This visa is available to spouses, children under 24 years old (unmarried and financially dependent), and potentially other dependent family members under certain conditions.

To be eligible for this visa, the sponsoring employee or worker must be registered with the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) and have a valid work permit. The sponsor is typically a working expatriate residing in Bahrain, and their presence in the country is a requirement for family visa applications.

Documents Required for the Bahrain Family Visa:

• Valid passport with sufficient remaining validity.
• Birth certificate (translated into Arabic or English, if applicable).
• Marriage certificate (translated into Arabic or English, if applicable).
• Proof of relationship to the sponsor, such as a birth certificate for children.
• Copy of the employee's wife/husband's passport.
• Dependants' Identity Card, if available.
• No objection letter from the other parent, if applicable.
• Divorce certificate and proof of custody, if applicable.
• Death certificate of the other parent, if applicable.
• Proof of valid status for dependents already in Bahrain with another type of visa.
• Proof of the sponsor's accommodation, such as an electricity bill or lease agreement.

Additional Special Conditions:

• The applicant should be registered in the system as an authorized or responsible person with the authority on the respective CR or Unit.
• The foreign employee's monthly net income (as per the SIO registration) must be BD 400 or more.
• Dependants over 24 years of age must obtain their residence permits directly through the Nationality Passports and Residency Affairs (NPRA).
• Dependants holding a previous personal number should use the same number when applying for the residency permit.
• For those born in Bahrain or issued a new passport in Bahrain, a new file must be opened or data updated at the NPRA.

A minimum salary of BHD 400 is required for family sponsorship

To sponsor their family members in Bahrain, expatriates must meet a minimum monthly income requirement. This requirement was raised from BD250 to BD400 in 2021, according to a decision by Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa.

The BD400 minimum salary requirement applies specifically when sponsoring a spouse or children who are 24 years old or younger. In the case of children over the age of 24 or parents, the expatriate's minimum monthly income must be not less than BD1,000.

In addition to the income requirement, there are other conditions that must be met for family sponsorship in Bahrain. The expatriate must have valid health insurance in the country. They should also not have any administrative notes that prevent the submission of a new work permit. The nationality of the expatriate must be among those authorized to be recruited from abroad.

The process of obtaining a residence permit for family members in Bahrain involves applying through the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA). The specific procedure depends on the age of the dependents and the type of relationship. For spouses and children up to the age of 24, employers can request the issuance of residence permits for their employees' dependents through a Dependants Residency Permit. When sponsoring children over the age of 24 or parents, the procedure for issuing and renewing the residence permit is handled directly through the NPRA, taking into account the conditions and regulations of the department.

Dependents must change their visa type to work

If you are a dependent on a family visa or student visa in Bahrain, you are not permitted to work unless you change your visa type. This means that spouses and adult children who are on a family visa or student visa need to switch to a work visa or permit before taking up employment. The same applies to housewives who are on their husband's visa.

To work in Bahrain, you must obtain a work permit from the relevant authority. This involves changing your visa status and meeting certain requirements. Here's what you need to know about the process:

Visa Requirements

To obtain a work visa or permit in Bahrain, you will need to meet certain eligibility criteria. This typically includes:

• Sponsorship by a Bahraini employer or a Bahraini national.
• A valid passport with a minimum validity of six months from your intended entry date.
• A confirmed job offer or employment contract from a reputable Bahraini employer.
• Specific supporting documents, such as a completed visa application form, a recent passport-sized photograph, a copy of the employment contract, a health report from an authorized clinic, and proof of payment of the visa fee.

Procedures for Housewives

If you are a housewife on your husband's visa and wish to work, there are specific procedures to follow. Your new employer should first apply for a "housewife to work" permit at the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) customer service. Once approved, your dependent's visa can be cancelled, and you must apply for a new work visa within five days.

Please note that housewives are only permitted to work in certain sectors, including medical, banking, finance, and education. If you wish to work in another sector, special approval from the GDNPR (immigration) is required for the specific occupation.

Family Joining Visa

If you are already working in Bahrain and want to bring your family, you can request a family joining visa from your employer. This allows your spouse and children up to 24 years of age to join you in Bahrain. To be eligible, you must meet certain criteria, including holding a valid Bahrain work visa and earning a minimum monthly salary of BHD 400. Your family members may also need to undergo medical examinations and security clearances as part of the visa application process.

Frequently asked questions