The Labour Market Regulatory Authority of Bahrain has implemented a new regulation requiring dependents applying for new residence permits to hold valid health insurance issued by a licensed Bahraini insurer. Previously, this mandate was restricted to the primary working applicant and did not extend to spouses or children. This policy shift, which specifically impacts Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Filipino, and other expatriate families residing in the Kingdom, was confirmed in an alert issued by the immigration law firm Fragomen on 17 September 2026. Key updates for families applying for new dependent visas:
- Mandatory health insurance from a licensed Bahraini insurer is now required for dependents.
- The policy change affects expatriate families from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and others.
- The rule was confirmed in an alert by immigration firm Fragomen on 17 September 2026.
Under the new requirements, dependents seeking first-time residence permits must submit a health insurance certificate that remains valid for the full duration of the residence permit. For example, if a residence permit is issued for one year, the insurance coverage must also cover at least one year. The official LMRA dependents page now lists a 'Health Insurance Certificate' as a mandatory document, specifying that its validity must align with the primary worker's residence permit duration. These applications, which generally cover spouses and children up to age 24, must still be submitted via the LMRA Expat Management System, and the sponsoring employee remains subject to the BHD 400 monthly net salary (SIO) threshold. As of now, it remains unclear whether these rules will apply to permit renewals, as no official guidance has been released.
Sponsoring employees are now required to budget for additional premiums to ensure compliance, as
incomplete insurance documentation can lead to the rejection or delay of residence applications. Other documents, including dependent passport copies, attested birth or marriage certificates, and relevant no-objection or custody papers, remain mandatory. Experts advise that applicants secure the insurance certificate before filing, confirm whether employer group policies cover dependents, and maintain original documentation.
Failure to comply poses risks for families, as missing paperwork could result in overstays for individuals transitioning from visit visas.
