Domestic Worker Visa Bahrain: Permit Steps, Fees and Documents

01Choose the application route

LMRA accepts a new domestic-worker permit application through three routes: the Expat Management System, an LMRA service centre by appointment, or a licensed recruitment office. The employer applies. The worker can later check the permit status and validity.

1. Online: use EMS and sign in with eKey.
2. In person: book an LMRA appointment before visiting.
3. Recruitment office: use a licensed office if you want it to handle the application.

02Check the worker and employer conditions

• The worker's passport must remain valid for at least six months.
• A medical report from a Wafid-accredited centre is required when the worker is outside Bahrain. LMRA provides an alternative form when the country has no accredited centre.
• For workers from the Philippines, the original Wafid medical report must be submitted to LMRA.
• For Ethiopian workers applying from a GCC country, the original medical report is required.
• Recruitment from Ethiopia and Seychelles must go through employment offices.
• A first-degree relative may submit an in-person application when properly authorised.

Read the current conditions on the official Issuing New Work Permit for Domestic Employees page before paying or arranging travel.

03Prepare the required documents

For a direct online application

• Original employer undertaking.
• Copy of the worker's passport.
• Copy of the valid medical report when the worker is outside Bahrain.

For an LMRA service-centre application

• Original domestic work permit application and cancellation form.
• Copy of the employer's identity card.
• Copy of the authorised applicant's identity card, when someone is applying for the employer.
• Copy of the worker's passport.
• Copy of the valid medical report when the worker is outside Bahrain.

Use clear, complete copies. Download the official domestic employee work permit form for the service-centre route. A passport with less than six months of validity or a medical report that does not meet the route's condition can stop the application.

04Apply online through EMS

1. Open LMRA's Expat Management System.
2. Select the eKey login link and enter the employer's Bahrain National ID on the official eKey 2.0 screen.
3. Approve the sign-in in the eKey app.
4. Open the domestic-employer permit service after login.
5. Enter the worker and passport details requested by the live form.
6. Upload the employer undertaking, passport copy and medical report where applicable.
7. Review the application and submit it.
8. Save the application reference and pay only the amount shown in the official application.

05Apply in person with an LMRA appointment

For a walk-in application, LMRA says the employer must visit by appointment. Open the Appointment Management System, choose the domestic-services counter, enter the visitor details and follow the remaining screens to select a slot. Bring the original form and the required identity, passport and medical copies.

06Domestic worker permit fees in Bahrain

The official Bahrain service page listed these totals on 6 October 2026. The totals include LMRA, NPRA, Ministry of Health, iGA and administrative charges.

The senior reduction applies to one permit only. The portal also lists a BHD 250 fee when a visit-permit holder applies for a new work permit. Do not add that amount unless that condition applies to the worker.

07Check the permit after submission

LMRA publishes a separate domestic-worker lookup called View Expatriate Employee Data (Domestic Worker). The worker can use the public form to check the status and validity of the work permit. The form accepts the personal number, or the country and passport number.

For other expatriate employees, use the LMRA visa check by CPR guide. If you are applying for a company-sponsored employee rather than a household worker, see the Bahrain work permit application guide.

08Common problems and practical fixes

The passport is close to expiry

Renew it first if it does not have the required six-month validity. Uploading the same short-validity passport again will not fix the condition.

The medical report is rejected

Check whether it came from the required Wafid-accredited centre and whether an original is required for the worker's country and application route.

eKey does not open EMS

Confirm that the employer is using the National ID connected to the eKey 2.0 app. If the approval request expires, restart the sign-in rather than refreshing the private EMS screen repeatedly.

The in-person counter will not accept a walk-in

Book the domestic-services appointment first and bring the original application form plus the listed copies.

The status form finds no record

Recheck the personal number, or select the correct country and enter the passport number exactly as submitted. If the problem remains, contact LMRA on 17506055. The official service page lists phone support from 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM.