Manama: The Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) in Bahrain has started issuing Flexible Work Permits (Flexi) from July 23, 2017.
It will be canceled in February 2023, officials said. Last month, the labor market regulatory authorities announced the cancellation of the flexi visa, but Bahrain’s Minister of Interior, General Sheikh Rasheed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, announced the formal cancellation last day. The announcement has been published in the Government Gazette.
Those who are currently on flexi visa can apply for a new system called Vocational Work Permit. They will have to submit their application by February 17. A new work permit is available at the LMRA service centers on payment of the prescribed fee. Those who do not obtain a new work permit will be considered to be in the country illegally.
The labor registration system, which was started as a replacement for the abolition of flexi visa, started functioning yesterday. CEO Nauf Abdulrahman Jamsheer informed that six centers have been licensed by LMRA in the first phase. Those who worked on flexi visa should register at these centers by February 17. A mechanism has been devised to streamline the registration process in collaboration with the private sector. The labor registration system provides an opportunity for workers to obtain legal documents and work safely in the country.
The CEO stated that the services of LMRA will continue to be available to protect workers’ rights. The first step is for the worker to submit an application for obtaining a permit at the authorized labor registration centers. Fill 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.
The application will be forwarded to Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA) for scrutiny. The worker has to pay the prescribed fee at the payment center approved by LMRA. The worker will then be given an appointment for a work permit card. Biological data will be collected and an appointment will be made for medical examination. The registered workers get a work permit card with a QR code on it. It will contain the area of work permitted to work and other information. If the current Flexi Visa has a remaining period, the fee for the remaining period will be deposited into the applicant’s LMRA account.
List of authorized labor registration centers is also available on LMRA website. Inquiries can be made through the call center at 17506055.