Key Points
- Bahrain suspended the Flexible Work Permit scheme for all foreign national applicants on October 18, 2022
Overview
The government of Bahrain suspended the Flexible Work Permit scheme for all foreign nationals on October 18, 2022. The suspension of the permit comes from labor reforms currently taking place throughout the country.
What are the Changes?
The government of Bahrain suspended the Flexible Work Permit scheme on October 18, 2022. The Flexible Work Permit, known as the Flexi-Permit, was initially introduced in 2017 to allow foreign nationals to enter the country for work purposes without obtaining sponsorship from an employer.
With the suspension of this permit scheme, the government indicates it intends to dedicate additional efforts to streamlining the immigration process for foreign nationals and introducing new protections for employers in Bahrain.
According to the government announcement, the Flexible Work Permit currently faces abuse by foreign nationals remaining in the country after the permit’s expiration due to it not being tied to employer sponsorship.
Looking Ahead
Continue to check the government of Bahrain’s website for the latest updates and information.
Written by: Jessie Butchley, Global Immigration Writer, Envoy Global
Source: The Labor Market Regulatory Authority of Bahrain
