Service Directory

Expatriate Employee Transfer

Through this service, expatriate employees can transfer to another employer without canceling their existing work permit.

The transfer process is only available if the expatriate employee’s work permit is valid for at least five days.
Once the transfer is processed, the previous employer will receive a credit note in Expat Management System (EMS) for the unused period of the work permit.
Expatriate employees with expired work permits must apply for a new work permit rather than a transfer.
The expatriate employee must continue working for their current employer, and the employer must continue paying the monthly fees until the transfer is approved and the new employer pays the new work permit fees.
The new employer must pay the work permit fees within 30 days of transfer approval; otherwise, the approval will be revoked.

Employer’s Decision on Transfer
If the expatriate employee has not completed 12 months under the current work permit:
The employer can approve the direct transfer.
The employer can approve the transfer after the required notice period (30 days or as per the employment contract, up to a maximum of 90 days).
The employer can reject the transfer.
If the employer does not take action within seven days, the system will automatically cancel the application.
If the expatriate employee has completed 12 months under the current work permit: The employer can choose between:
Approving the direct transfer.
Approving the transfer after the required notice period (30 days or as per the employment contract, up to a maximum of 90 days).
If the employer does not take action within seven days, the system will automatically approve the transfer after the notice period.

Non-compliance with one or more conditions for issuing a work permit.
A final criminal judgment for a felony or a crime related to honor or honesty.
Violation of work permit conditions by the expatriate employee.
The new employer lacks the required Bahrainization quota or has a violation that prevents them from applying for transfers.
The employee has a violation that prevents their transfer.
If the transfer request is made within the last three months of the work permit’s validity, the transfer will not be allowed unless the current employer consents.

It must include all updates, the first name, and father or family name on the first page.
It must also include the page containing the name of father or husband/wife (for Indian and Bangladeshi nationals).
In addition to the page that includes the previous passport number.
Copy
The passport must be valid for at least six months, but a validity of two years is recommended before applying. It must include all updates, the first name, and father or family name on the first page. For Indian and Pakistani nationals, it must also include the page stating the father’s or spouse’s name and the old passport number.

Copy
The contract is optional.
The contract must be in Arabic or bilingual (Arabic and another language).
The contract must include: the commercial registration name or unit number, the contract duration, the employee’s information, name and passport number or personal number if any, the profession, salary, employment conditions, notice period, and the signatures of both parties with the employer’s stamp.

A no-objection letter from the current employer.
A termination letter from the current employer.
A letter accepting the resignation from the current employer.
A resignation letter and notice addressed to the current employer, in accordance with the Labour Law.
Colored Copy
All letters must be official, stamped and signed.
If the resignation letter is sent by mail, the receipt received from the registered mail must be attached as a document to prove that the resignation has been sent, or the registered mail card (pink card).
The letter must be sent to the commercial registry address registered with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC). For more details, please visit the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) Sijilat platform.
The notice period must be within the legal time frame (30 to 90 days) as stated in the current employment contract.

Law No. (19) of 2006 regulating the labour market
Resolution No. (28) of 2008 regarding refunding work permit fees, reducing the application fee for changing the profession, and imposing a fine for the delay in Payment of Monthly Fee for Foreign Worker.

Labour Market Regulatory Authority

Show All Hide All

Transfer Request Submission

The new employer must submit the transfer request to the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) at least one month before the transfer date, along with all required documents.
Once submitted, a notification will appear: "Application has been successfully submitted. Kindly pay the admin fees before the invoice due date."

Payment of Admin Fees

The administrative fees must be paid via the Expat Management System (EMS) or through accredited banks.
Once the payment is completed, the application proceeds to the verification stage.

Employer’s Decision on Transfer

Final Processing and Work Permit Issuance

After obtaining the necessary approvals, the work permit will be issued either immediately or after the notice period.
The new employer must pay the work permit fees via the Expat Management System (EMS) or through accredited banks.
Once the payment is completed, the new employer can print the work permit from the Expat Management System (EMS).
The previous employer will receive a credit note for the unused period of the old work permit.

Process Description (Expatriate Employee)

The expatriate employee must submit their resignation via Bahrain Post within the notice period, in accordance with labour law.
Or attach an official letter stating that the current employer has no objection to the transfer to a new employer (stamped and signed by the responsible person).
Or attach an official letter from the current employer stating the termination of service.