Bahrain Permits Expats to Work for Second Employer
Expatriate workers in Bahrain are set to benefit from increased professional flexibility following a new directive from the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA). Under Resolution No. (2) of 2026, foreign employees can now legally work for a second employer for a limited period of up to three months without needing to transfer their primary work permit.
Two Methods for Temporary Work
The new regulation, which amends previous rules from 2008, provides two distinct ways for workers to expand their professional scope:
- Intra-group assignments: An employer holding a valid work permit can assign a foreign worker to another business they own. Even if the second business operates under a different commercial registration (CR) number, it is permitted as long as it belongs to the same registered group and maintains a Bahrainisation percentage equal to or higher than the worker's original place of employment.
- External temporary roles: Workers may seek employment with a completely different employer for a maximum of three months. This process requires formal approval via the LMRA’s Expatriate Management System, written consent from the worker, and explicit agreement from both the original and the second employer.
Strict Rules and Exclusions
While the move offers more freedom, it is not applicable to all sectors. Domestic workers, including housemaids, drivers, and other household staff, are strictly excluded from these new provisions.
Furthermore, the second employer must adhere to specific labour standards to ensure national employment quotas are not affected:
- Bahrainisation compliance: The second employer must meet the same Bahrainisation requirements as the original establishment. If the second employer operates at a lower Bahrainisation threshold, they are required to pay additional fees as established under Resolution No. (27) of 2016.
- Shared liability: During the temporary assignment period, both the original and the second employer will share legal responsibility for the worker's rights.
Not a Freelance Visa
Authorities have been quick to clarify that this resolution does not change the fundamental structure of residency or work permits in the kingdom. LMRA Chief Executive Nibras Taleb stated that the amendment is designed to provide operational flexibility for already authorized workers rather than altering existing Bahrainisation quotas.