Bahrain Permits Expats to Work Second Jobs Temporarily
Expatriate workers in Bahrain have been granted the ability to take on a Bahrain temporary second job for up to three months without needing to cancel their primary work permit. This significant policy shift, introduced via the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) Resolution No. (2) of 2026, aims to provide flexibility for sectors facing seasonal or project-based staffing demands.
Issued by the Minister of Labour and Legal Affairs, Yousif Khalaf, the new resolution amends previous regulations to accommodate the evolving needs of the local economy, particularly during peak periods such as Ramadan or high-demand seasons in the hospitality industry.
Two Pathways for Secondary Employment
The new LMRA regulations outline two distinct ways in which expatriates can legally engage with a second employer:
- Intra-group Transfers: Employers holding multiple Commercial Registrations (CRs) can transfer an expatriate to another establishment within the same business group. This is permitted provided the secondary establishment maintains a Bahrainization rate that is equal to or higher than the primary employer's rate.
- External Employment: Employees may work for an entirely different employer for a maximum period of 90 days. This arrangement allows workers to support different businesses without the need to terminate their existing primary residency and work permits.
Strict Conditions for Compliance
To ensure the legality of these arrangements, several mandatory conditions must be met. The policy is designed to support specific sectors, including retail, hospitality, logistics, construction, and private offices, but it does not apply to domestic workers.
For an arrangement to be valid, the following must occur:
- Written Consent: Both the employee and both employers must provide formal written agreement to the arrangement.
- LMRA Approval: The entire process must be processed and approved through the LMRA’s Expat Management System (EMS).
- Permit Validity: The worker’s original work permit must remain active and valid throughout the entire duration of the secondary employment.
- Bahrainization Alignment: The secondary employer’s Bahrainization rate must match or exceed that of the original employer. If the secondary employer's rate is lower, additional fees will be applied in accordance with Resolution No. (27) of 2016.
Additionally, a BHD 5 administrative fee is required for the secondary employer's application during the registration process.
Shared Responsibilities and Legal Warnings
During the 90-day period of secondary employment, the responsibility for the worker's rights and the payment of their salary is shared between both the primary and secondary employers. Once registration is complete, the LMRA will issue formal notifications to the employee and both participating companies.
It is vital for expatriates to remain within these legal frameworks. The original sponsor retains all authority over