LMRA Self-Sponsored Work Permits — Flexi Permit History & Flexible Work Permit 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?
Terminology warning: The phrase 'Flexi Permit' is used colloquially for at least two distinct LMRA products that are in different legal states. Treating them as the same product will lead to either a dead-end application or using the wrong channel entirely.
1. Original Flexi Permit (Resolution 108/2017) — DISCONTINUED
This was the employer-facing scheme introduced in 2017 that allowed employers to engage workers without full sponsorship. It was cancelled effective 17 February 2023 and replaced by the Labour Registration Programme (also called the Registered Worker Permit). Employers can no longer engage new workers under the original Flexi Permit. Workers looking for new arrangements through employers must now go through the Registered Worker Permit route under the current LMRA framework.
2. Flexible Work Permit (self-sponsorship visa) — STATUS UNCONFIRMED: VERIFY BEFORE APPLYING
This is a separate product that allows an individual expatriate to live and work in Bahrain without being tied to any employer. It is sometimes called the 'flexi visa'. The historical fee structure was approximately BD 449 for a 2-year permit plus BD 30/month. Holders self-arrange health insurance, can work for multiple employers or clients, and cannot work in regulated professions (medicine, law, engineering, teaching, financial services).
Current availability is unconfirmed: some immigration sources report the Flexible Work Permit was also suspended for new applications in late 2022, while other 2025–2026 sources report it as still available. The LMRA has not published a clear reconciling statement. Verify the current permit categories and eligibility directly at lmra.bh before paying any fee — do not rely on secondary sources or agents who may be describing an outdated product.
When does it apply?
- You are an employer who was previously engaging workers under the original Flexi Permit — you must now use the Registered Worker Permit under the Labour Registration Programme instead.
- You are an individual expatriate whose sponsorship has ended and you want to stay and work independently — the Flexible Work Permit (self-sponsorship) may apply to you.
- You want to work for multiple employers or clients without a single sponsor — the Flexible Work Permit is the current route.
- You are unsure which product applies — go directly to lmra.bh before doing anything else.
What to Do If You Need a Self-Sponsored LMRA Permit in Bahrain
- Identify which product you actually need before paying any fee or submitting any application. The LMRA portal at lmra.bh lists current permit categories — the original Flexi Permit no longer appears because it was cancelled in February 2023.
- For the Flexible Work Permit: gather your valid passport (minimum 6 months' validity), CPR/residency documentation, and evidence of how your prior sponsorship ended. Apply through LMRA e-services and pay the application fee and first monthly instalment.
- Enroll in mandatory health insurance (SEHATI or the national scheme) — you cannot rely on a former employer's policy.
- Track renewal dates: monthly fees must be paid to keep the permit active; lapsed payments can trigger cancellation and overstay penalties.
- If you are an employer looking for workers previously on the original Flexi Permit, ask the LMRA about the Registered Worker Permit under the Labour Registration Programme.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not apply for or pay for the 'Flexi Permit' by name without confirming which product is currently active — the original version was cancelled in February 2023 and the name is now associated with a different product.
- Do not rely on secondary sources (HR blogs, migration guides, employer forums) that reference Flexi Permit rules from before 2023 — they describe a discontinued product.
- Do not pay agents or middlemen claiming to guarantee any LMRA permit — the LMRA processes applications directly.
- Do not work in regulated professions on the Flexible Work Permit — sector regulators will not recognise it and the LMRA can cancel the permit.
- Do not let the monthly fee lapse — even short gaps risk cancellation and loss of legal residency status.
Common Questions
Is the Bahrain Flexi Permit still available?
The original Flexi Permit introduced under LMRA Resolution 108 of 2017 was cancelled effective 17 February 2023. Employers can no longer engage new workers under that scheme — it has been replaced by the Labour Registration Programme (Registered Worker Permit). A separate product called the Flexible Work Permit (self-sponsorship visa) still exists and is sometimes colloquially called 'flexi visa', but it is a different product entirely.
What is the Bahrain Flexible Work Permit and how much does it cost?
The Flexible Work Permit is a self-sponsorship visa historically available for BD 449 for a 2-year permit plus BD 30 per month. However, its current availability for new applications is disputed — some sources report it was suspended in late 2022 while others report it as still active in 2025–2026. Verify the current permit categories directly at lmra.bh before paying any fee. Holders must self-arrange health insurance and cannot work in regulated professions such as medicine, law, or engineering.
When does it apply — lmra self-sponsored work permits — flexi permit history & flexible work permit?
You are an employer who was previously engaging workers under the original Flexi Permit — you must now use the Registered Worker Permit under the Labour Registration Programme instead.You are an individual expatriate whose sponsorship has ended and you want to stay and work independently — the Flexible Work Permit (self-sponsorship) may apply to you.You want to work for multiple employers or clients without a single sponsor — the Flexible Work Permit is the current route.You are unsure which product applies — go directly to lmra.bh before doing anything else.
Is the Bahrain Flexi Permit still available and what replaced it?
Identify which product you actually need before paying any fee or submitting any application. The LMRA portal at lmra.bh lists current permit categories — the original Flexi Permit no longer appears because it was cancelled in February 2023.For the Flexible Work Permit: gather your valid passport (minimum 6 months' validity), CPR/residency documentation, and evidence of how your prior sponsorship ended. Apply through LMRA e-services and pay the application fee and first monthly instalment.Enroll in mandatory health insurance (SEHATI or the national scheme) — you cannot rely on a former employe...
What should you NOT do — lmra self-sponsored work permits — flexi permit history & flexible work permit?
Do not apply for or pay for the 'Flexi Permit' by name without confirming which product is currently active — the original version was cancelled in February 2023 and the name is now associated with a different product.Do not rely on secondary sources (HR blogs, migration guides, employer forums) that reference Flexi Permit rules from before 2023 — they describe a discontinued product.Do not pay agents or middlemen claiming to guarantee any LMRA permit — the LMRA processes applications directly.Do not work in regulated professions on the Flexible Work Permit — sector regulators will not recogni...