Bahrain Service Centres

Yes for most cases. iGA's eGovernment portal on bahrain.bh handles CPR renewal at BHD 1 to BHD 2, with the new card couriered by Bahrain Post within two working days. Visit an iGA service centre (Isa Town, Seef Manama) when fresh biometrics are needed (every five years for adult holders), an address change requires verification, a damaged-card replacement is over the 90-day manufacturing warranty (BHD 10 fee), or the file is flagged by LMRA or NPRA. The eKey authentication on the portal is mandatory for the renewal flow.

The BHD 5 monthly LMRA fee is a per-worker compulsory charge payable by the employer for each non-Bahraini employee under the LMRA Act. The fee funds the worker-protection scheme and the Bahrainisation training programme. Late payment compounds across the establishment and blocks both renewal and new permits until cleared. The fee cannot legally be deducted from the worker's salary; a deduction shown on the payslip is grounds for a complaint at LMRA. The BHD 300 annual work-permit fee (BHD 195 standard, higher for some categories) is on top.

No for new applicants. The flexi-permit category was closed to new applicants in 2023 after years of running as a self-sponsored route for workers without an employer tie. Existing flexi-permit holders have been transitioned to employer-tied permits or final-exit routes. Workers who were on flexi-permit can renew their existing files under transitional rules through LMRA service centres until the next published deadline; new applicants must now find an employer sponsor or use the self-employment visa route via NPRA.

At NPRA service centres (Manama HQ and Muharraq Security Complex). The family dependant visa runs BHD 60 per dependant for a two-year cycle, with BHD 5 for the CPR card. The sponsor must demonstrate BHD 400 monthly salary for a wife, higher for parents, and a tenancy contract in the sponsor's name with adequate accommodation. SEHATI health-insurance contribution must be active. Notarised marriage and birth certificates with full attestation (home-country MOFA plus Bahrain MOFA via bahrain.bh) are required before the entry permit is issued.

Most LMRA, iGA and NPRA centres operate Sunday to Thursday only. LMRA Riffa-Buhair is the exception, running Saturday to Thursday 08:00 to 20:00. iGA Isa Town runs Sunday to Thursday 08:00 to 14:00. NPRA HQ Manama runs Sunday to Thursday 07:00 to 14:00. Friday is closed across the network. Saturday is closed at most centres except LMRA Riffa-Buhair and selected mall counters. The bahrain.bh portal and the eGovernment app run uninterrupted seven days.

Log into bahrain.bh with your CPR number, navigate to the LMRA services section and check your work-permit status. If the status shows 'on hold' or 'pending payment', the employer's BHD 5 monthly fee or the BHD 195 annual permit fee is unpaid. Renewal is blocked until cleared. Disputed cases are escalated through the LMRA worker grievance unit, which can authorise a transfer to a compliant sponsor while preserving the worker's residence. Wathim's GCC desk runs LMRA disputes end to end.

SEHATI is Bahrain's national health-insurance contributory scheme run by the Supreme Council of Health and NHRA. Most expat workers contribute around BHD 22.5 monthly through their employer; the contribution covers primary care, emergencies and basic inpatient services at network providers. A missed contribution flags the residence file at NPRA renewal. SEHATI is mandatory for all private-sector workers; domestic workers are covered under a separate household tariff. The CPR card is the proof of enrolment at provider clinics.

Work-permit-linked residence runs through LMRA on bahrain.bh; the residence is renewed automatically with the work permit (BHD 105/year for one year or BHD 195/year for two years). The CPR card is renewed separately through iGA. Family dependant residence is handled by NPRA at the Manama HQ. Each network runs its own renewal cycle — work permits typically run two years; CPR up to ten years for residents but capped at the LMRA permit; family dependants two years aligned with the sponsor.

No. LMRA, iGA and NPRA service centres are designed for residents and citizens. Tourist visa issues (extensions, lost passports, residence-status questions for visitors) are handled at Bahrain International Airport immigration counters and through the eVisa portal at evisa.gov.bh. Stop-over and transit cases are managed at the airport. Bahrain's tourist visa scheme allows multiple entries for many nationalities through the eVisa portal; centre staff at LMRA or iGA will redirect tourists to the airport or the online portal.