Bahrain to raise foreign worker permit fees from 2026

Bahrain will introduce higher fees for foreign worker permits starting January 1, 2026, following an edict issued by Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Edict (79) of 2025 amends the fee structure governing the issuance and renewal of work permits and residency permits for the families of foreign workers.

The decision was issued on the recommendation of the Minister of Labour, Chairman of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, and after Cabinet approval.

Under the revised framework, employers in Bahrain will pay an annual issuance or renewal fee that rises in phases from 105 dinars in 2026 to 125 dinars by 2029. Monthly fees will also increase over the same period.

For the first five foreign workers, the monthly charge will rise from 7.5 dinars in 2026 to 30 dinars by 2029, while fees for workers beyond the first five will increase from 12.5 dinars to 30 dinars.

The annual fee will be collected proportionally based on the duration of the work permit issued by the authority. All provisions that conflict with the new edict have been repealed.

The changes are set to take effect from January 1, 2026, and will be published in the Official Gazette.