Bahrain Mandates Health Insurance for Migrant Worker Dependents
Migrant workers in Bahrain are facing new financial responsibilities as the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) has officially rolled out mandatory health insurance requirements for family members. This policy change applies to those seeking new residence permits for their spouses and children.
New Rules for Family Residence Permits
Taking effect between September 17 and 18, 2026, the regulation mandates that applicants must provide a health insurance policy issued by a licensed insurer in Bahrain at the time of the initial application for a dependent. Unlike previous rules where insurance was primarily a requirement for the primary worker, this mandate now extends to all new dependents.
A key condition of this policy is that the insurance coverage must remain valid for the entire duration of the residence permit. At this stage, the LMRA has not yet clarified if this requirement will also apply to subsequent permit renewals.
Sponsorship Requirements and Limits
To sponsor dependents under the new framework, workers must meet specific financial and age-related criteria: