U.S. Armed Forces Command-Sponsored Dependent Employment
Information Sheet
December 2023
Working in Bahrain
Effective immediately, a new work permit policy in Bahrain enables command-sponsored U.S. Armed Forces dependents (U.S.
DoD service members, U.S. Coast Guard service members, and civilian employee dependents) to apply for and obtain work
permits to work in the local Bahraini economy. Previously, command-sponsored U.S. Armed Forces dependents were required
to transfer their command-sponsored visa to a resident visa with a work permit sponsored by the employer. Under the new
policy, dependents will be allowed to maintain their command-sponsored visa and obtain a work permit to work for a local
employer.
Who does this new policy apply to?
Command-sponsored dependents of U.S. DoD service members, U.S. Coast Guard members, and U.S. civilian employees only.
Dependents on visitor visas and service members are not eligible.
How to Apply
1. The command-sponsored U.S. Armed Forces dependent’s prospective employer will be required to submit the following information and documentation to the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) via the employer’s existing LMRA e-support system account:
a. Dependent’s contact information to include: name, mobile number, office phone number, and email
b. Copy of dependent’s Central Population Registry (CPR) document
c. Copy of dependent’s official passport
d. Copy of dependent’s base-sponsored visa issued by the Kingdom of Bahrain
e. Full employment contract to include: job title, salary, and applicant qualifications
f. Employer contact information to include: name, mobile number, office phone number, email g. Business/Establishment name
h. Copy of employer’s CPR card
i. Copy of employer’s Commercial Registration number
2. The command-sponsored U.S. Armed Forces dependent must e-mail the NSA Bahrain Administrative Office (m-ba-nsan1correspondence@
us.navy.mil) to request that a redacted copy of their sponsor’s Dependent Entry Approval (DEA) be
sent to the Nationality, Passports, and Residency Affairs Department (NPRA) within the Ministry of Interior.
3. Once the LMRA receives the information listed in a. through i. above and the NPRA receives the DEA and verifies the
dependent’s immigration status, the LMRA will issue a work permit via the employer’s LMRA e-support system account
and/or the employer’s email address.
Additional Information
1. This process is free of charge.
2. Dependents keep their current healthcare plan.
3. Per Bahraini law, dependents must use a local bank to have their salaries direct-deposited. There are at least three banks
that will allow a non-resident to open a local account: Al Ahli, BBK, and HBSC.
4. All employers and employees are subject to Bahraini employment laws, to include any requirements to obtain local
licenses and certificates based on the profession, and any Social Insurance deductions applied to expatriates.
5. The work permit is valid for as long as the dependent is here in Bahrain under a command-sponsored visa. Once the
Armed Forces sponsor detaches from Bahrain, command-sponsored visas will be cancelled and the command-sponsored
dependent may no longer work in the Bahraini local economy. The contract end date should coincide with the expected
rotation date of the U.S. Armed Forces sponsor.
6. Dependent employment will not count against the employer’s foreign employee quota.
7. All regular foreign contacts and foreign bank accounts shall be reported to the sponsor’s Security Manager.