Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Ease Expat Rules
Bahrain rejects new driving licence fees for expats while Saudi Arabia opens visit visas to all GCC residents regardless of profession.
New Bahrain and Saudi expat rules are set to benefit hundreds of thousands of residents, streamlining travel and reducing administrative costs across the Gulf.
Bahrain rejects driving licence fee hike
In a significant move for the expatriate community, the Bahraini Shura Council officially rejected a legislative proposal on November 2, 2026. The proposal had sought to link driving licences directly with residency permits.
By turning down this measure, the Council has effectively prevented the imposition of repeated fees and the administrative burden of recurring renewal requirements for foreign nationals residing in the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia simplifies visit visas
Simultaneously, the Saudi Tourism Authority announced a major policy update on November 3, 2026. The new regulations welcome expatriate residents of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to apply for visit visas, regardless of their specific profession.
Easier travel and pilgrimage
This policy shift is designed to facilitate much easier short-term travel across the Kingdom, specifically benefiting:
- Tourism and leisure travel
- Religious pilgrimages
- Increased mobility for the regional expatriate population
Benefits for the regional workforce
These policy developments are expected to directly benefit hundreds of thousands of expatriates, including the large Indian diaspora, by reducing costs and improving mobility.
Analysts suggest that such practical reforms serve to improve the retention of skilled workers within the Gulf states, providing a positive contrast to more restrictive regional regulations.