Bahrain Mandates Health Insurance for Family Visas
Expatriate workers in Bahrain looking to sponsor spouses or children are facing new requirements for residency applications. A mandate requiring local private health insurance certificates for family visa and dependent residence permit applications is now being enforced.
While the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) has not yet released a formal public circular, immigration and payroll experts have confirmed that the check has been in effect for files submitted since September 1, 2026. This change aims to ensure that dependents of expatriates have adequate medical coverage through the kingdom's private sector.
Strict New Insurance Guidelines
The new regulations come with specific conditions that applicants must meet to avoid delays in their visa processing. It is no longer sufficient to rely on insurance policies obtained from outside the country.
Key requirements for the mandatory insurance include:
- Local Licensing: The health insurance policy must be issued by an insurer licensed to operate within Bahrain.
- No Foreign Policies: Home-country insurance or employer-based policies written outside the kingdom will not be accepted.
- Duration of Coverage: The policy must cover a minimum of two years and must align with the duration of the sponsor's own residence permit.
These rules apply specifically to family visa and dependent residence applications. Notably, the mandate does not extend to domestic worker files. To prevent application setbacks, families are advised to secure insurance certificates in the names of both the sponsor and the dependent prior to their scheduled LMRA appointment.
Proposed BD1,000 Salary Minimum for Sponsors
In addition to the insurance mandate, a significant legislative proposal is currently being reviewed by the Bahraini Cabinet. This could fundamentally change the financial requirements for expatriates wishing to live with their families in the kingdom.
Parliamentary discussions have highlighted a proposal, backed unanimously by MPs, to establish a mandatory minimum monthly salary of BD1,000 for expatriates sponsoring family members. The initiative, led by Strategic Thinking Bloc spokesman MP Khalid Bu Onk, also advocates for universal mandatory health insurance for all sponsored individuals.
The primary objective behind these measures is to reduce the pressure on the state's medical infrastructure. MP Mamdooh Al Saleh, chairman of the services committee, emphasized that requiring private coverage would help alleviate the strain on public hospitals.
Note: The BD1,000 salary threshold is currently a proposal under consideration and has not yet been enacted into law.
Expatriates are encouraged to stay informed by monitoring official government channels, including the LMRA employer portal and bahrain.bh, for formal updates regarding these changes.