Bahrain Work Permit Update: New 90-Day Temporary Work Rule

Indians already working in the Gulf have a new flexibility to know about. Bahrain’s Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) has introduced a rule under which a foreign worker holding a valid Bahrain work permit can work temporarily for another employer for up to three months. The change, announced on September 28, comes through Resolution No. 2 of 2026, which amends Bahrain’s existing work permit regulations. In this post we explain who can use it, what approvals are needed, and what the rule does not change.

Bahrain Work Permit Rule: What Exactly Has Changed

Earlier, a foreign employee in Bahrain was generally tied to the employer named on the work permit. Under the revised regulations, the same worker can now be temporarily employed by a different employer for up to 90 days, subject to LMRA approval and set conditions. The rules also allow a company to deploy its foreign workers at other establishments owned by the same company or affiliated with the same business group, following the prescribed requirements.

The arrangement must be registered with the LMRA, which strengthens official oversight and helps prevent unauthorised employment. Domestic workers are excluded from this change, as the amendment covers work permits for foreign employees under the existing regulations.

Conditions You Must Meet Before Taking Temporary Work

• LMRA approval first: The temporary arrangement needs approval from the Labour Market Regulatory Authority before work begins.
• Written consent of the worker: The employee must agree in writing; nobody can be shifted without consent.
• Both employers must agree: The current employer and the receiving employer both have to accept the arrangement.
• Bahrainisation conditions apply: The receiving employer must meet the prescribed Bahrainisation requirements for employing Bahraini nationals. If the receiving establishment has a lower prescribed rate than the original employer, an additional regulatory fee may apply.
• Rights stay protected: Both employers share responsibility for the worker’s employment-related rights during the temporary assignment.

What This Means for Indians Working in Bahrain

Indians form a significant part of Bahrain’s expatriate workforce, so this flexibility matters in daily life:

1. Short project work becomes legal and recorded: A technician or professional can support another company’s project for a few weeks without breaking permit rules, because the assignment is registered with the LMRA.
2. Group companies can move staff legally: If your employer has sister companies or multiple branches, temporary transfer to a busy branch is now a formal route instead of a grey area.
3. Consent protects you: Because written consent and shared employer responsibility are built in, a worker cannot quietly be pushed into an unrecorded job.

Workers planning Gulf moves should also read our explainer on rising costs and demand in Gulf jobs and keep our WhatsApp fake job offer red flags guide handy before trusting any new offer. For ECR passport holders, the Protector of Emigrants guide explains when PoE clearance is needed.

What Has NOT Changed — Read This Carefully

• This is not a new route to enter Bahrain from India. The rule applies only to foreign workers who are already authorised to work in Bahrain.
• Your main Bahrain work permit and main employer relationship stay in place; the temporary work is an add-on arrangement, not a job change.
• Bahrainisation requirements have not been removed, and working for another employer without LMRA approval and registration can still be treated as unauthorised employment.
• Rules and fees can change, so always confirm the latest position on the LMRA’s official channels before accepting any temporary assignment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can a fresh applicant from India use this rule to get a Bahrain job?
A: No. The rule does not create a new overseas recruitment route. It applies to workers who already hold authorisation to work in Bahrain.

Q: How long can the temporary work with another employer last?
A: Up to three months (90 days), after LMRA approval and with the written consent of the worker and agreement of both employers.

Q: Are domestic workers covered by this change?
A: No. The amendment to the work permit regulations excludes domestic workers.

Q: Who is responsible for my salary and rights during the temporary period?
A: According to the reported rules, both employers share responsibility for fulfilling the worker’s employment-related rights during the temporary assignment, and the arrangement must be registered with the LMRA.

Sources: Business Today (report on Bahrain LMRA Resolution No. 2 of 2026, October 13, 2026) — https://www.businesstoday.in/amp/nri/story/bahrain-introduces-90-day-temporary-work-rule-for-foreigners-what-it-means-for-indians-561094-2026-10-13

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