Bahrain Permits Expats Temporary Second Jobs for 90 Days
The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) in Bahrain has introduced a significant regulatory shift designed to increase flexibility within the kingdom's workforce. Through the issuance of Resolution No. 2 of 2026, the government has opened a pathway for foreign workers to engage in temporary employment outside of their primary roles.
Under these new regulations, eligible expatriate workers are permitted to take on assignments with a second employer for a maximum duration of 90 days. Crucially, this arrangement does not require the worker to transfer their primary work permit, allowing for more fluid movement within the labor market.
Strict Criteria for Temporary Assignments
To ensure the system is used correctly and maintains legal standards, the LMRA has outlined several mandatory requirements for workers and employers:
- Worker Consent: The foreign employee must provide formal written consent to participate in the temporary assignment.
- Dual Employer Approval: Both the primary employer and the secondary employer must grant their approval via the LMRA’s Expat Management System (EMS).
- Permit Validity: The worker is required to maintain a valid work permit throughout the entire 90-day period.
Exclusions and Limitations
While the policy offers broad flexibility for many sectors, it is not universal. Domestic workers are explicitly excluded from this new provision and remain under their existing regulatory frameworks.
Fees and Shared Responsibility
The implementation of these temporary roles comes with specific administrative costs and legal obligations to protect all parties involved:
- Administrative Costs: A fee of BHD 5 is required to process the arrangement. Additionally, if the secondary employer has a lower Bahrainisation rate, further fees may apply.
- Shared Liability: In a move to safeguard worker rights, both the primary and secondary employers will share legal liability for the worker during the period of the temporary assignment.
Driving Labor Market Flexibility
The introduction of this policy is intended to serve a dual purpose. For skilled expatriates, it provides an opportunity to gain additional professional experience or supplement their monthly income. For businesses, it offers a streamlined way to fill temporary staffing gaps and operational needs without the necessity of expensive and time-consuming overseas recruitment processes.