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15 January 2026

Bahrain hikes visa issuance fees, health care fees and monthly contributions for work permits, effective 1 January 2026

  • Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister has announced an increase in the visa issuance fees, health care fees and monthly contributions for employees' work permits, effective from 1 January 2026, following the recommendation of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA).
  • The new rates will gradually increase over a four-year period, up to 2029.
  • Dependent visa fees and other entity issuance/renewal fees remain unchanged. The changes are not applicable to domestic employees.
  • Employers should review the changes in consideration of hiring and workforce budgets.
 

Executive summary

On 29 December 2025, Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister announced an increase in the visa issuance fees, health care fees and monthly contributions for employees' work permits, effective 1 January 2026. The revised fees are based on the recommendation of the country's Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA).The revised rates will apply to both new issuances and renewals and will gradually increase over a four-year period through 2029. There are no changes to dependent visa fees or other entity issuance/renewal fees. The changes aim to rebalance the labor market and support the sustainability of public services. It is important to note that domestic workers are excluded from these changes.

Background

The LMRA periodically reviews its fee structure for work permits and related contributions. The latest adjustments reflect higher costs for obtaining and renewing work permits for foreign employees, as well as increased monthly contributions from employers. These changes are intended to align with Bahrain's evolving labor market and economic priorities.

Key developments

The visa issuance fees and health care fees have been increased for both new and renewal work permits, with annual increments through 2029.

In addition, employers will pay higher monthly contributions based on the number of foreign workers employed.

There are no changes to dependent visa fees and other entity issuance/renewal fees.

New work permit issuance and renewal rates based on permit durations (BHD)

 

Permit duration

Year

2026

2027

2028

2029

6-month visa

52.5

55.5

59

62.5

6-month health

45

54

63

72

12-month visa

105

111

118

125

12-month health

90

108

126

144

24-month visa

210

222

236

250

24-month health

180

216

252

288

New monthly contributions rates based on the number of employees (BHD)

 

Number of employees

Year

2026

2027

2028

2029

1-5 foreign workers

7.5

10

20

30

6 and more foreign workers

12.5

15

20

30

Impact on employers

Employers should update their human resources (HR) and finance budgets to reflect increased costs for work permits and monthly contributions as well as communicate changes to HR, payroll and relevant business units to ensure compliance and avoid delays.

Implications

Employers in Bahrain should anticipate higher costs for hiring and retaining foreign employees. These changes may affect overall employment budgets and workforce planning for 2026 and beyond, and employers should monitor LMRA announcements for further clarifications or required procedural updates.

* * * * * * * * * *
Contact Information

For additional information concerning this Alert, please contact:

EY Consulting LLC, Dubai

Ernst & Young — Middle East, Manama

Ernst & Young LLP (United States), Middle East Tax Desk, New York

Published by NTD’s Tax Technical Knowledge Services group; Carolyn Wright, legal editor

Document ID: 2026-0212

 
 

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