Bahrain’s Labour Market Regulatory Authority has outlined the legal procedures governing expatriate workers who wish to transfer from one employer to another, including circumstances in which a transfer may take place without the current employer’s consent under the Kingdom’s labour market regulations.

According to the Authority’s official foreign employees’ guide, an expatriate worker may initiate a transfer without employer consent after completing one full year of employment with the current employer, subject to applicable contractual obligations and legal requirements.

The procedure requires the worker to notify the existing employer through registered mail and retain proof of delivery. The notice period must comply with the employment contract and must not exceed three months, while the prospective employer must follow the required permit application procedures.

Where the current employer agrees to the transfer, the new employer submits the relevant application, and the existing employer authorises the transfer through the LMRA system. The process is completed after the applicable requirements have been met and the necessary fees paid.

The Authority also provides an Intention to Transfer service for eligible expatriate employees holding valid work permits. The published conditions include completing half of the permit’s duration and submitting copies of both sides of the identity card and the passport. The listed processing time is two working days.

The official guidance emphasises that workers must not begin employment with another employer before obtaining the necessary legal authorisation. Transfers remain subject to statutory restrictions and exceptions, and submitting an intention to transfer does not automatically grant a new work permit.

Source: Bahrain Labour Market Regulatory Authority.