Bahrain Permits 90-Day Temporary Work for Expats
Bahrain is introducing a new way for expatriate workers to diversify their professional experience while allowing businesses to address short-term staffing needs. The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) has announced the implementation of Resolution No. (2) of 2026, which grants expats the ability to accept temporary assignments with different employers for a period of up to 90 days.
Strict Guidelines for Temporary Assignments
While the new policy aims to increase business flexibility, it is not an unrestricted right to change jobs. The regulation is designed to maintain strict regulatory oversight to ensure stability within the workforce. Notably, the new provisions explicitly exclude domestic workers from participating in this scheme.
To legally begin a temporary assignment, several mandatory requirements must be satisfied:
- The worker must provide written consent to the arrangement.
- Both the current employer and the receiving employer must formally agree to the temporary role.
- Formal approval must be secured from the LMRA before any duties commence.
- The individual must hold a valid work permit throughout the entire 90-day window.
Fees and Financial Requirements
The LMRA has outlined specific administrative costs associated with these temporary placements. The receiving employer is required to pay an administrative fee of BHD 5 to initiate the process.
There is an additional financial consideration regarding local employment targets. If the receiving employer’s Bahrainisation rate is lower than that of the worker's original employer, an extra fee of BHD 62.5 will be applied.
Employer Accountability and Corporate Flexibility
Under this resolution, responsibility is shared. Both the original employer and the receiving employer hold joint responsibility for the worker's rights and obligations during the temporary term.
The regulation also offers flexibility for larger corporate entities. Staff may be deployed across different establishments provided they are owned by the same employer or belong to the same corporate group, as long as all Bahrainisation conditions are met.
All applications for these temporary assignments must be submitted through the LMRA’s official Expat Management System.