Applying For A Flexi Visa In Bahrain: A Simple Guide

The Flexi Visa in Bahrain, also known as the Blue Card, is a renewable work permit that allows migrant workers to work in the country without an employer sponsor. The visa is valid for two years and can be obtained by those with expired or terminated work permits, or those who have not been paid their salaries and have filed cases against their employers. The Flexi Visa requires a one-time administrative fee of BD449 and a monthly maintenance fee of BD30. The application process involves sending an SMS to the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) and then visiting the LMRA Expat Service Centre at the Sitra Industrial Area for an appointment, where applicants will have their photograph, fingerprints, and signature taken.

Flexi Visa vs Flexi Permit

The Flexi Visa and Flexi Permit are quite similar in many ways. Both allow migrant workers to work legally in Bahrain without an employer or sponsor. They are both valid for two years and can be renewed. Flexi Visa and Flexi Permit holders are also given a return ticket at the end of their contract period or when they decide to return to their home country. Both are also subject to the same eligibility criteria: they are only issued to out-of-status migrant workers without criminal records or travel bans due to an outstanding criminal case, and who are not on domestic worker, business, or tourist visas.

However, there are some differences between the two. The Flexi Visa is specifically mentioned to provide health insurance coverage to its holders, while the Flexi Permit does not seem to include this. Additionally, the Flexi Permit has two types: the Flexi Permit and the Flexi Hospitality Permit. The Flexi Permit allows holders to work in any non-specialized job except in hotels, restaurants, and saloons, while the Flexi Hospitality Permit allows holders to work in any non-specialized job, including those in hotels, restaurants, and saloons.

To apply for a Flexi Visa, one must meet the eligibility criteria mentioned above. The process involves paying a one-time administrative fee of BD449 and a monthly maintenance fee of BD30.

To obtain a Flexi Permit, you must have had your work permit terminated or expired without renewal from your employer. You will need to ensure that your passport is valid for more than six months and send an SMS of your CPR to the specified number using your mobile number. After receiving confirmation of your eligibility and appointment details via SMS, you will need to attend your appointment at the LMRA Expat Service Centre, bringing the required documents and fees. The Flexi Permit requires a monthly fee of BD30 to maintain its validity.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for a Flexi Permit in Bahrain, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must have a passport from your country that will remain valid for more than 6 months.
• You must have a terminated or expired work permit.
• You must not have any dependants.
• You must be an expatriate employee with a court case for unpaid wages.
• You must be an illegal expatriate with an expired or terminated work permit.
• You must not have been paid your salary and have filed a case against your employer.
• Your workplace must have a cancelled Commercial Registration (CR).
• You must not have a travel ban or be facing a court case.

The Flexi Permit is not available to those with a domestic worker, business, or tourist visa.

Application process

The Flexi Visa is a pathway for undocumented or out-of-status workers to acquire regular immigration status in Bahrain. It is a renewable work permit that is valid for two years, with health insurance coverage and a return ticket at the end of the contract period or when the worker decides to return to their home country. It allows the migrant worker to work legally in Bahrain without an employer sponsor.

To apply for a Flexi Visa, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• You must be an out-of-status migrant worker without a criminal record or travel ban due to an outstanding criminal case.
• You must not be on a domestic worker, business, or tourist visa.
• Your passport must be valid for more than six months.
• You must have a terminated or expired work permit (without dependents).
• You must be an expatriate employee with a case in the courts for unpaid wages.

Once you have confirmed your eligibility, you can begin the application process:

• Send an SMS of your CPR to the designated number using your mobile number.
• Wait for two SMS replies from the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA): one confirming your eligibility and another indicating your appointment date and time.
• You will receive a call from the LMRA Call Centre to confirm your appointment. Once confirmed, you will get an appointment confirmation via SMS.
• On your appointment date and time, go to the LMRA Expat Service Centre. Bring your passport, the required fees (BD 449), and your mobile phone with the appointment confirmation SMS.
• At the LMRA, you will complete your Flexi Permit application, including providing your photograph, fingerprints, and signature. After fulfilling all requirements and paying the fees, you will receive your Blue Card.

It is important to note that the Flexi Permit requires a monthly fee of BD 30, which must be paid regularly and on time to avoid cancellation. Additionally, you must carry your Blue Card with you at all times and renew it every six months.

If you are applying for the Flexi Hospitality Permit, which allows you to work in hotels, restaurants, and saloons, you must also undergo a medical examination at an authorized health centre. Once you pass the medical exam, have your results authenticated and sent electronically to the LMRA. Then, visit the LMRA Sitra Industrial Area to apply for a change to "Hospitality Worker."

Hospitality work

The Flexi Permit is a pass that allows an individual to live and work in Bahrain for a renewable period of one or two years without an employer or sponsor. It is ideal for those who have had their work permit terminated or expired without being renewed. The Flexi Permit is also suitable for those who have not received their salaries and have filed cases against their employers, as well as expatriates whose workplace has had its Commercial Registration (CR) cancelled.

There are two types of Flexi Permits: the standard Flexi Permit and the Flexi Hospitality Permit. The former allows holders to work in any non-specialized job but not in hotels, restaurants, and saloons. The latter, meanwhile, permits holders to work in any non-specialized job, including those in the hospitality sector, such as hotels, restaurants, and saloons.

To be eligible for the Flexi Hospitality Permit, you must first obtain the standard Flexi Permit. Here are the steps to obtain the Flexi Permit:

• Ensure that your passport is valid for more than six months.
• Send an SMS of your CPR to 33 150 150 using your mobile number.
• Wait for two SMS replies from the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA): one confirming your eligibility and another indicating your appointment date and time with the LMRA.
• Confirm your appointment with the LMRA Call Centre at 17 103 103. Once confirmed, you will receive an appointment confirmation via SMS.
• On your appointment date, go to the LMRA Expat Service Centre at the Sitra Industrial Area. Bring your passport, the fee of BD 449, and your mobile phone with the appointment confirmation SMS.
• At the LMRA, complete your Flexi Permit application. Your photograph, fingerprints, and signature will be taken. After completing the requirements and paying the fees, you will receive your Blue Card.

After obtaining your Flexi Permit, you can now apply for the Flexi Hospitality Permit. Here are the steps:

• Undergo a medical exam in any of the authorized health centers.
• Upon passing the medical exam, have your results authenticated at the Al Razi Medical Center, which will send the results electronically to the LMRA.
• Go to the LMRA Sitra Industrial Area and apply for a change to "Hospitality Worker."

Please note that the Flexi Permit requires a monthly fee of BD 30 to remain valid. Additionally, always carry your Blue Card with you and renew it every six months.

Renewal and cancellation

The Flexi Visa in Bahrain is a renewable work permit that is issued for a period of one to two years. It is important to note that the flexi work permit holder must continue paying the BD30 monthly fees to avoid cancellation. The renewal fees for the flexi work permit have been waived by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), and now only BD77 needs to be paid during renewal—BD72 for health insurance and BD5 as an administrative fee.

To renew the Flexi Visa, the following steps must be completed:

• Submit the required documents online.
• Visit the LMRA branch in Sitra for fingerprinting and photographing.
• Pay the permit fees at any Bahrain Financing Company branch in Bahrain.

It is important to note that the Flexi Visa cannot be changed to a normal employment visa. To change to an employment visa, the individual must go to the LMRA and cancel the Flexi Visa. After this, an employer can apply for a visa on their behalf. The cancellation of the Flexi Visa usually takes a few days but may take longer due to unforeseen circumstances.

Frequently asked questions