Bahrain Tightens Rules for Visit Visa to Work Visa Conversions

In a recent announcement by the Interior Ministry Undersecretary for Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA) in Bahrain,  significant changes to the visa conversion process have been unveiled. The decision aims to bolster the National Labour Market Plan while curbing the misuse of visit visas.

Under the new regulations, the conversion of visit visas into work or dependent visas without a sponsor has been halted. However, visit visas with a sponsor can still be transformed into work or dependent visas, albeit with a notable change in the fee structure. Previously set at BD60, the fee for this conversion has been revised to BD250, applicable only when the transfer is within the same sponsor.

The Interior Ministry’s move aligns with government directives to tighten visa transfer rules and prioritize the local workforce in employment opportunities. To enforce these measures, collaboration with the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) has been established. The objective is not only to streamline the visa conversion process but also to discourage the exploitation of visit visas, thereby supporting Bahraini citizens as the primary choice in employment.

This development comes after unanimous parliamentary support for proposed amendments to the 1965 Foreigners (Migration and Residency) Law, aiming to prohibit the conversion of visit visas into work permits. MPs believe that such changes would address the perceived misuse of tourist visas by foreigners seeking employment in Bahrain.

As the government takes steps to safeguard the interests of the local workforce and regulate visa conversions, ongoing debates and concerns persist regarding the efficacy of these measures in addressing the complex challenges associated with visa misuse and employment priorities.

Source: NPRA & Zawya

Published On: February 15th, 2024 / Categories: Global Mobility and Corporate Immigration, Global Workforce Solutions, News / Tags: , , , , , /