Bahrain’s 90-day temporary work rule explained: What Indian expats need to know

Bahrain has amended its existing work permit framework to allow eligible foreign workers to undertake temporary assignments with another employer for up to 90 days. The change was introduced through Resolution No. 2 of 2026, issued by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) in September 2026. It amends the regulations governing foreign workers, excluding domestic workers.

The provision is designed to help businesses address short-term staffing requirements without necessarily making a permanent change to an employee’s existing employment arrangement. It does not, however, give foreign workers an unrestricted right to work for multiple employers.

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What conditions must workers and employers meet?

A temporary assignment requires the worker’s written consent, agreement from both the existing and receiving employers, and approval from the LMRA. The employee must hold a valid work permit throughout the assignment. Applications must be processed through the authority’s Expat Management System, ensuring that the arrangement is recorded under the prescribed regulatory framework.

The 90-day limit makes this a temporary employment arrangement rather than a general provision for permanent transfers between employers.

How does Bahrainisation affect the rules?

Bahrainisation is the policy governing the employment of Bahraini nationals in the private sector. The revised rules retain this requirement when foreign workers are temporarily assigned to another establishment.

The receiving employer must meet the prescribed Bahrainisation conditions. Where its applicable Bahrainisation rate is lower than that of the worker’s existing employer, an additional fee applies under the relevant regulatory framework. A separate administrative fee of 5 Bahraini dinars is charged for the application.

These conditions are intended to give businesses greater flexibility in deploying foreign workers without allowing temporary assignments to bypass Bahrain’s national employment policy.

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Can companies deploy workers across affiliated businesses?

The amendment also permits eligible foreign workers to be deployed at other establishments owned by the same employer or affiliated with the same corporate group, subject to the prescribed conditions.

This could help businesses manage temporary staff shortages across their operations. For example, a company experiencing increased demand at one establishment may be able to deploy an eligible employee from another part of its business, provided the arrangement meets the applicable regulatory requirements.

The provision offers businesses another way to respond to short-term operational needs without treating every movement between eligible establishments as a permanent change of employer.

Who is responsible for the worker’s rights?

Both the existing employer and the receiving employer share responsibility for fulfilling the worker’s employment rights and obligations during the temporary assignment. This is important because the employee will be working at another establishment while remaining within an arrangement linked to the existing employment framework.

Workers should clarify their duties, assignment duration and employment arrangements before accepting a temporary placement. Employers must also ensure that the worker’s rights and applicable obligations are respected throughout the assignment.

What does this mean for Indians working in Bahrain?

For Indian expatriates already employed in Bahrain, the change could create more opportunities for temporary assignments with other businesses. However, it does not automatically allow an employee to take up a second job independently or move to another employer without the required authorisation.

The distinction is equally important for Indians planning to move to Bahrain for work. The new provision does not create a fresh overseas recruitment route. It applies to foreign workers already authorised to work in Bahrain and is designed to address temporary staffing needs within the existing regulatory framework. Indian workers should therefore check their permit conditions and ensure that their proposed assignment complies with the new rules before starting work at another establishment.

Overall, Bahrain’s amendment aims to make short-term workforce deployment more flexible while retaining oversight of foreign employment, protecting workers’ rights and preserving Bahrainisation requirements.