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Manama: The Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) in Bahrain started issuing Flexible Work Permits (Flexi) from 23 July 2017.
It will be canceled in February 2023, officials said. Last month, labor market regulators announced the cancellation of the flexible visa, but Bahrain’s Home Minister, General Sheikh Rasheed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa announced the formal cancellation last day. The announcement was published in the Official Gazette.
Those currently on a flexible visa can apply for a new system called the Professional Work Permit. They will have to submit the application by February 17th. A new work permit is available from LMRA service centers upon payment of the prescribed fee. Those who do not get a new work permit will be considered illegally in the country.
The job registration system, which was launched as a replacement for the abolition of the flexible visa, started working yesterday. CEO Nauf Abdulrahman Jamsheer informed that six centers have been licensed by LMRA in the first stage and those who have worked on the flexible visa are expected to register in these centers by 17 February. A mechanism has been devised to streamline the registration process in collaboration with the private sector. The employment registration system offers workers the opportunity to obtain legal documents and work safely in the country.
The CEO said LMRA’s services will continue to be available to protect workers’ rights. The first step is for the worker to submit an application for a permit at the authorized labor registration centers. Fill out the application form and attach the required documents. The Registration Center will submit the permit application to the LMRA and the LMRA will verify the applications.
Your application will be forwarded to Nationality, Passports and Residency Affairs (NPRA) for scrutiny. The worker must pay the prescribed rate at the LMRA approved payment centre. The worker will then be made an appointment for the work permit. Biological data will be collected and an appointment will be made for the medical examination. Registered workers receive a work permit card with a QR code. It will contain the workspace authorized to work and other information. If the current Flexi Visa has a period remaining, the fee for the remaining period will be deposited into the applicant’s LMRA account.
The list of authorized Labor Registration Centers is also available on the LMRA website. Requests can be made through the call center on 17506055.
