Flexi Permit (Discontinued) and Current Self-Sponsorship Options in Bahrain
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Bahraini national legislation, decree-laws, and ministerial orders. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Status: DISCONTINUED. The original Flexi Permit, introduced by LMRA Resolution 108/2017, was cancelled effective 17 February 2023. Employers can no longer engage workers under this scheme and the LMRA does not accept new applications. The replacement is the Labour Registration Programme (Registered Worker Permit).
Why this page still exists: the Flexi Permit was the Gulf's most-discussed self-sponsorship product for nearly six years, and pre-2023 guidance is still widely cited online. If you arrived here looking for it, the rest of this page tells you what to do now.
If you previously held a Flexi Permit: your permit cannot be renewed in its original form. Speak to the LMRA about migrating to the Labour Registration Programme or to an employer-sponsored work permit. Do not work without a current LMRA permit — fees of BHD 10/day accrue from the date of expiry.
If you wanted a self-sponsored visa: the two current routes are (a) the Golden Residency Visa (10 years; investors, retirees, and high-value talent) and (b) the Flexible Work Permit — a separate LMRA product whose current availability is disputed. Verify directly at lmra.bh before paying any fee.
If you are looking for the cancellation source: see the LMRA's 16 October 2022 announcement and the implementing measures that took effect 17 February 2023. The Bahrain workers-rights guide carries the full historical timeline.
When does it apply?
- You held the original Flexi Permit and need to understand what replaced it.
- You were planning to apply for the Flexi Permit based on older guidance — you need an alternative.
- You need to verify whether any LMRA self-sponsorship product is currently open to new applicants.
What to Do If You Were Planning to Apply for the Bahrain Flexi Permit or Your Permit Has Lapsed
- Check the LMRA portal at lmra.bh for the current list of permit categories — the original Flexi Permit no longer appears.
- If you were on the original Flexi Permit, contact the LMRA about transferring to the Labour Registration Programme or an employer-sponsored permit.
- For self-sponsorship, evaluate Golden Residency against your eligibility — investors, retirees on BHD 2,000+/month pension, and high-value professionals qualify.
- If a recruiter, agent, or website still markets the Flexi Permit to you in 2026, treat it as a red flag and verify with the LMRA before paying.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not pay any agent or middleman who claims to obtain a Flexi Permit for you — the product was cancelled in February 2023.
- Do not rely on pre-2023 blogs, migration guides, or employer FAQs that describe Flexi Permit as a current BHD 499/year option — that information is outdated.
- Do not continue working under an expired Flexi Permit — you are accruing overstay penalties at BHD 10/day.
Common Questions
When does it apply — flexi permit (discontinued) and current self-sponsorship options?
You held the original Flexi Permit and need to understand what replaced it.You were planning to apply for the Flexi Permit based on older guidance — you need an alternative.You need to verify whether any LMRA self-sponsorship product is currently open to new applicants.
What should I do if I was planning to apply for the Bahrain Flexi Permit and need to know what replaced it?
Check the LMRA portal at lmra.bh for the current list of permit categories — the original Flexi Permit no longer appears.If you were on the original Flexi Permit, contact the LMRA about transferring to the Labour Registration Programme or an employer-sponsored permit.For self-sponsorship, evaluate Golden Residency against your eligibility — investors, retirees on BHD 2,000+/month pension, and high-value professionals qualify.If a recruiter, agent, or website still markets the Flexi Permit to you in 2026, treat it as a red flag and verify with the LMRA before paying.
What should you NOT do — flexi permit (discontinued) and current self-sponsorship options?
Do not pay any agent or middleman who claims to obtain a Flexi Permit for you — the product was cancelled in February 2023.Do not rely on pre-2023 blogs, migration guides, or employer FAQs that describe Flexi Permit as a current BHD 499/year option — that information is outdated.Do not continue working under an expired Flexi Permit — you are accruing overstay penalties at BHD 10/day.