Flexi Visa Bahrain. The Flexi Visa Bahrain program, introduced in 2017, was a significant initiative by the Kingdom of Bahrain to reform its labor market and provide expatriate workers with more flexibility and legal protection. This program allowed eligible foreign workers to reside and work in Bahrain without the need for a traditional employer sponsored visa.

The Flexi Visa Bahrain

The Flexi Visa, officially known as the Flexi Permit, was a renewable two-year permit that enabled expatriates to work and live in Bahrain without being tied to a specific employer. Holders of this permit could engage in various jobs with multiple employers on both full-time and part-time bases. This system aimed to regularize the status of expatriates who were without legal documentation or whose work permits had expired.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Flexi Visa Bahrain, applicants needed to meet specific criteria:

1. Expired Work Permits: Expatriates whose work permits had expired and were not renewed by their employers were eligible to apply.
2. Cancelled Work Permits: Those whose work permits had been terminated were also considered eligible.

Applicants were required to be physically present in Bahrain during the application process and possess a valid passport with at least six months’ validity.

Read also: Bahrain Golden Residency Visa

Application Process

The application process for the Flexi Visa Bahrain involved several steps:

1. Eligibility Check: Applicants could verify their eligibility by visiting the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) website and using the “Express Services” feature.
2. Appointment Scheduling: Eligible individuals would receive an SMS from the LMRA confirming their eligibility and providing an appointment date and time.
3. Document Submission: On the scheduled appointment, applicants were required to visit the LMRA Expat Service Centre in the Sitra Industrial Area with their passport, the appointment confirmation SMS, and the necessary fees.
4. Biometric Data Collection: At the LMRA center, applicants underwent biometric data collection, including photographs, fingerprints, and signatures.
5. Fee Payment: The total fee for a two-year Flexi Permit was BD 449, which covered permit fees, health insurance, and other administrative costs. Additionally, a monthly fee of BD 30 was required to maintain the validity of the permit.

Blue Card Flexi Permit Arabic / English

Benefits of the Flexi Visa Bahrain

The Flexi Visa Bahrain offered several advantages to expatriate workers:

• Legal Residency: Permit holders were granted legal residency in Bahrain, ensuring they were compliant with national regulations.
• Employment Flexibility: Holders could work with multiple employers across various sectors, providing them with the freedom to choose their employment opportunities.
• Mobility: The permit included a re-entry visa, allowing holders to travel outside Bahrain and return without the need for additional permits.
• Access to Services: Flexi Permit holders had access to health insurance and other essential services, enhancing their quality of life in Bahrain.

Limitations and Restrictions

Despite its benefits, the Flexi Visa Bahrain had certain limitations:

• Excluded Professions: Holders were not permitted to work in specialized professions unless they obtained the necessary licenses from relevant authorities.
• Monthly Fees: The requirement to pay a monthly fee of BD 30 was mandatory, and failure to do so could result in the cancellation of the permit.

Termination of the Flexi Visa Program

In October 2022, the Bahraini government announced the termination of the Flexi Visa Bahrain program. The decision was part of broader labor market reforms aimed at enhancing the regulation of expatriate workers and addressing concerns related to illegal employment practices. The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) introduced new measures, including the establishment of labor registration centers and stricter enforcement of labor laws, to replace the Flexi Permit system.

Implications for Expatriate Workers

The cancellation of the Flexi Visa Bahrain program had significant implications for expatriate workers:

• Regularization of Status: Former Flexi Permit holders were given a grace period to regularize their status under the new regulations.
• Increased Oversight: The LMRA implemented stricter monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with labor laws.
• Alternative Pathways: The government introduced alternative pathways for expatriates to obtain legal work permits, emphasizing the need for employer sponsorship and adherence to labor regulations.

Conclusion

The Flexi Visa Bahrain program represented a progressive approach to labor market regulation, offering expatriate workers greater flexibility and legal protection. Its termination marked a shift towards more structured labor policies aimed at enhancing oversight and compliance. Expatriate workers in Bahrain must now navigate the new regulatory landscape to ensure their employment and residency statuses align with national laws.