The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) is the Bahraini government body responsible for regulating the expatriate labour market. It issues work permits, oversees employer compliance, and operates the electronic platforms through which sponsors apply for, renew, transfer, and cancel work visas for foreign workers.
For expatriate workers, the LMRA work permit is the foundation of legal status in Bahrain, and the residence permit and CPR are tied to it. Workers and employers can check work-permit and visa status through the LMRA's online services. The LMRA also administers fees and levies on expatriate employment, and the structure of those fees is periodically revised by the government, so current amounts should be confirmed on the official site rather than assumed.
The LMRA historically operated the Flexi Permit scheme that allowed certain workers to sponsor themselves; the authority is also the reference point for transfers between employers and for resolving permit-related disputes.