Manama: The number of people getting into trouble by coming on visitor visa is increasing due to the attractive promises of the agents. Most of the people who are brought to Bahrain by the agents who offer good jobs and take lakhs in commission are going through severe hardship and mental hardship without getting a job. Many people come here by paying one and a half lakh to two lakh to the agent in the country. There are also those who do not realize that they have received a visit visa. There are people who come thinking that they can try their luck even though they know that it is a visit visa.
Samir Kapital, a social activist, said that the number of Malayalees coming to the institutions in search of work is increasing. Every day at least 10 people come looking for work in an organization. All these people came on visit visa. Sameer said that there have also been instances of cheating by editing someone else’s visa and sending it to the country. He reminded the job seekers to be vigilant against such scams.
Finding a job on a visit visa is now a difficult situation in Bahrain. Only 15-20 percent of those who come in this way get jobs. Others have to go back after suffering. Those coming on a one-year visit visa are required to leave Bahrain every three months. Previously, visas could be renewed at a low cost by leaving and returning to Bahrain via the Saudi Causeway. Now it is not so easy. Instead, the agents do pick-up and drop-off in Dubai. It will cost more due to air travel.
The Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) authorities have intensified the inspection and it is something that those coming on a visit visa should take note of. Working illegally can result in fines and deportation. Sameer Capital pointed out that one should check with someone in Bahrain to understand the situation before coming on a visit visa. If you only listen to the agent’s words, you will have to face a lot of trouble.