In Bahrain every domestic-worker transaction runs through the LMRA (Labour Market Regulatory Authority) and its online EMS portal. This is the complete, plain-English guide to all of it - issuing a new work permit, renewing, cancelling and transferring a worker to a new employer - with the exact steps, documents, fees in BHD and timelines. Prefer to skip the paperwork? Our team can connect you with a verified LMRA-licensed employment office and guide you through every step - that option is at the end.
| 🏛️ Authority | LMRA - Labour Market Regulatory Authority. Contact +973 17506055 |
| 🌐 Platform | EMS - lmra.gov.bh/EMS_Web (online), or an LMRA branch |
| 🔐 Login | Your LMRA EMS employer account (linked to your ID / CPR) |
| 🔁 Transactions | Issue · Renew · Cancel · Transfer · Change of occupation · Absence report |
| 💰 Permit fee | Bahraini & GCC: BHD 86/yr · Expat: BHD 586/yr (incl. BHD 500 refundable guarantee) |
| ⏱️ Processing | About 3 working days |
| 📞 Help | LMRA +973 17506055 · or message Nadia on WhatsApp |
🧾 What you can do on the LMRA EMS portal
The EMS system handles the full life-cycle of a housemaid, nanny, cook, driver or caregiver in Bahrain:
- Issue a new domestic-employee work permit (and visa).
- Renew the permit before it expires.
- Cancel the permit when the worker leaves or the contract ends.
- Transfer a worker to a new employer in Bahrain - no need to send them home.
- Change of occupation, book the Wafid medical, enrol biometrics, e-sign the tripartite contract and report absence.
Everything starts in your EMS account - so set that up first.
🔐 Before you start - who can sponsor & what unlocks EMS
1. An LMRA EMS account. Domestic-worker transactions are filed through EMS at lmra.gov.bh/EMS_Web (or in person at an LMRA branch). The employer whose name the permit is under files and pays.
2. You meet the conditions. The worker’s passport must be valid for at least 6 months; the medical must be done through Wafid (approved centres); and some nationalities (e.g. Ethiopian and Seychelles) can only be recruited through an LMRA-licensed employment office. Expat employers also pay a refundable BHD 500 financial guarantee.
📋 Documents you’ll need
- Employer Undertaking Form
- Employer ID card / CPR (copy, with signature for walk-in)
- Proof of eligibility (and the BHD 500 guarantee for expats)
- Authorised-person ID (if filing via a representative)
- Passport valid at least 6 months (copy)
- Wafid medical examination (approved centres)
- Biometric enrolment
- The LMRA tripartite domestic contract
Note: Philippine nationals need an original Wafid medical; Ethiopian and Seychelles nationals must be applied for through an LMRA employment office. First-degree relatives are accepted for authorisation.
🆕 How to issue a NEW domestic worker permit via LMRA
This is the full path from zero to a worker legally living and working in your home in Bahrain.
Go to lmra.gov.bh/EMS_Web and sign in with your LMRA employer account (or visit an LMRA branch).
Choose the new domestic-employee work permit and select the worker’s category (housemaid, nanny, cook, private chauffeur, gardener and more).
Attach the Employer Undertaking Form, the worker’s passport (valid 6+ months) and your ID/CPR. Direct recruitment is online; some nationalities go through an employment office.
Pay online - BHD 86 (1 year) or BHD 118 (2 years) for Bahraini & GCC employers; BHD 586 / 618 for expats (includes the BHD 500 refundable guarantee).
The worker takes the medical-fitness test at a Wafid-approved centre. Some nationalities must do it before travel.
The worker enrols biometric data with LMRA and the official tripartite domestic contract is signed by all parties.
Once approved (about 3 working days) the work permit and visa are issued and the worker travels to Bahrain.
Complete the NPRA residency permit and the IGA Identity Card (CPR) so the worker is fully documented.
⚠️ Common slip-ups: a passport under 6 months, the wrong medical route for the nationality, or trying to direct-recruit a nationality that must go through an employment office. Check the rule for your worker’s country first.
🔄 How to renew the work permit
Renew before the permit expires to avoid fines and keep the worker’s status legal.
Sign in at lmra.gov.bh/EMS_Web.
Choose “Renewing the Domestic Employee Work Permit” from the menu.
Attach the Employer Undertaking Form and a valid passport copy.
You get an Application ID - track it on EMS or call +973 17506055.
Pay online (BHD 86 / year or BHD 118 / 2 years for Bahraini & GCC; expat rates apply otherwise).
💡 At renewal you can also add the LMRA Optional Insurance that covers the worker against breach of contractual obligations - extra protection for both sides. Full renewal guide →
❌ How to cancel the work permit
Cancel when the worker leaves Bahrain for good, moves to another employer, finishes the contract, or is no longer needed. If a worker leaves without cancellation, you stay legally and financially responsible - so always cancel promptly.
Pay the final wages (through the Wage Protection System where it applies) and any outstanding amounts.
Sign in at lmra.gov.bh/EMS_Web and start the Work Permit Cancellation.
Attach the Work Permit Application/Cancellation Form, the worker’s passport copy and your ID - plus exit-visa confirmation if the worker has already left Bahrain.
Once cancelled, expat employers can claim back the refundable BHD 500 financial guarantee.
💡 Getting your money back: How to claim your LMRA deposit refund →
↔️ How to transfer a worker to a new employer
A domestic worker can move to a new employer inside Bahrain without going home, when everyone agrees - usually quicker than cancel-and-rehire.
Settle salary, hours, rest days and accommodation with the worker and the new employer.
The current employer releases/cancels their permit through EMS so the worker is free to transfer.
The new employer files a domestic-employee work-permit application at lmra.gov.bh/EMS_Web.
Pay the LMRA fees and complete any medical/biometric steps required for the new permit.
Sign the new tripartite contract and update the residency so the worker is now under your sponsorship.
⚠️ Changing the worker’s role (e.g. housemaid to nursemaid) is a different LMRA service - a Change of Occupation, not a transfer. Use the right one.
🚨 Other LMRA services you can do here
Book the medical exam and enrol biometric data, both required for a new permit. Medical guide · Biometric guide
If a worker leaves without notice, file the LMRA absence notification to protect yourself. Absence report guide →
💰 Fees & timeline at a glance (2026)
| Employer type / item | Cost (BHD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bahraini & GCC employer | BHD 86 (1 yr) · BHD 118 (2 yr) | Seniors 60+: BHD 78.5 / 103 |
| Expatriate employer | BHD 586 (1 yr) · BHD 618 (2 yr) | Includes BHD 500 refundable guarantee |
| Visit Visa to Work fee | BHD 250 | If applicable |
| Of which - LMRA permit + admin | BHD 15-30 + BHD 5 | Per the official breakdown |
| Of which - NPRA residency + NOC | BHD 17-34 + BHD 29 | Residency & accreditation |
| Of which - MOH health + IGA ID | BHD 10 + BHD 10 | Health check & CPR card |
| Processing time | ~3 working days | - |
Figures are the official 2026 LMRA fees and may vary by case. Full fees breakdown. Always confirm on EMS or with LMRA on +973 17506055 before paying.
💬 Don’t want to deal with it? Let our team help
Some nationalities must be recruited through an LMRA-licensed employment office anyway - so tell our assistant Nadia on WhatsApp what you need (issue, renew, cancel or transfer) and we’ll connect you with a verified LMRA-licensed office and guide you through EMS end-to-end. You only approve your own login and pay the official LMRA fees - we never ask for your password or hold your money.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a domestic worker permit cost in Bahrain?
For Bahraini and GCC employers it is BHD 86 for one year or BHD 118 for two years. For expatriate employers it is BHD 586 / 618, which includes a refundable BHD 500 financial guarantee.
How long does the LMRA permit take?
About 3 working days once the application and documents are submitted and the fees are paid.
Where do I apply?
Online through the LMRA EMS portal at lmra.gov.bh/EMS_Web, or in person at an LMRA branch.
How do I renew the permit?
Log in to EMS, choose “Renewing the Domestic Employee Work Permit”, upload the undertaking form and passport copy, then pay on approval. You can add the LMRA optional insurance at renewal.
How do I cancel and get my deposit back?
Settle dues, file the cancellation on EMS with the cancellation form and passport copy, and once cancelled expat employers can claim back the BHD 500 guarantee.
Can I transfer my worker to a new employer?
Yes. The current employer releases the permit and the new employer files a work-permit application on EMS - the worker stays in Bahrain. Changing the worker’s role instead is a separate “change of occupation”.
Which nationalities must go through an employment office?
Ethiopian and Seychelles nationals can only be recruited through an LMRA-licensed employment office; the medical for Filipino workers needs an original Wafid examination.
Can someone do the LMRA transaction for me?
Yes. Message Nadia and we’ll connect you with a verified LMRA-licensed office and guide you through EMS. You approve your own login and pay the official fees - nothing else.
📚 Related Bahrain LMRA guides
- Renewing a work permit
- Cancelling a work permit
- Change of occupation
- The tripartite domestic contract
- Full LMRA fees breakdown
- LMRA-approved employment offices
🌐 Hiring in another Gulf country? See the complete GCC domestic worker visa guide - all six countries compared.
