Bahrain Expats Can Now Legally Work for a Second Employer
Expatriate workers in Bahrain have gained significant new flexibility regarding their employment rights. Under new regulations introduced by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), expats can now legally undertake temporary assignments with a second employer for up to 90 days.
New Regulations for Temporary Work
The policy, introduced via Resolution No. 2 of 2026, was issued by Yousif Khalaf, the Minister of Legal Affairs and Labour and Chairman of the LMRA Board. This amendment allows workers to diversify their professional experience or take on short-term roles without the need to transfer their primary work permit.
However, there is an important exception: domestic workers are excluded from this new provision. The regulation is specifically designed to facilitate professional mobility for other sectors of the expatriate workforce.
Strict Approval Process and Mandatory Conditions
To ensure compliance and protect the rights of all parties involved, the LMRA has outlined a specific procedure for utilizing this 90-day window. Workers cannot simply start a second job; they must follow these steps:
- Written Consent: The worker must provide formal written consent to participate in the second assignment.
- Employer Approval: Both the original sponsoring employer and the new receiving employer must grant their explicit approval.
- LMRA Registration: Applications must be registered and approved through the Expat Management System (EMS) before any work commences.
- Occupation Limits: Workers are strictly required to perform duties that fall within their licensed occupations.
- Valid Permits: The worker must maintain a valid work permit throughout the entire 90-day period.
Fees and Bahrainisation Compliance
The new rules include specific financial obligations for the receiving employer. A standard administrative fee of BHD 5 must be paid to facilitate the process.
Furthermore, the receiving employer must adhere to Bahrainisation standards. If the receiving company's Bahrainisation percentage is lower than that of the worker's original employer, a parallel fee of BHD 62.5 will be applied for the duration of the assignment.
Joint Liability and Corporate Flexibility
During the temporary assignment, both the original and the second employer share joint liability regarding the worker's employment rights and obligations. This ensures that the worker remains protected under Bahraini labour standards regardless of which employer they are currently serving.
The regulations also provide flexibility for larger organizations. Employers are permitted to assign staff to other establishments that fall under their own ownership or within the same corporate group, provided that all Bahrainisation conditions are satisfied.