No, the employer is not allowed to charge you any fees for the work permit, but he has the right to sue for damages as a result of the breach or premature cancellation of a time-specified contract.

For more information about the employee/ employer obligations, please check the below

Employer Obligations

In line with its responsibilities to regulate the Labour Market in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Labour Market Regulatory Authority has set a number of rules and regulations to control and organises the relationship between the employer and his employees. These regulations clarifies the rights and duties of all parties concerned. Each of the parties should ensure that these rules are met. Below is a list of regulations, employers should follow:

1. Do not employ an expatriate employee without a valid work permit issued by LMRA.
2. Do not charge money or obtain any other benefits or advantage from an employee for issuing him a work permit, or renewing it.
3. The expatriate employee must only perform the same job role (occupation) mentioned in his/her work permit.
4. Ensure the completion of the enrolment process of expatriate employees and their family members (digital finger print, photo and signature) on the specified dates.
5. Ensure that the expatriate employee will only perform their work in the specified location of the employer mentioned in his/her work permit, or in the branches of the same employer engaged in the exact same activity.
6. Pay due fees and other payments to LMRA on time.
7. Inform LMRA immediately when an expatriate employee is absent from work against the conditions of his work permit.
8. Inform LMRA if the expatriate employee gets infected with a contagious disease, which obliges LMRA for his expulsion from the country as specified by the regulations of Ministry of Health.
9. Notify LMRA if you intend to liquefy the business’s capital, or as soon you file for insolvency or bankruptcy, or canceling your registration of the commercial register – CR, or revoking the activity licence.

Expatriate Employee Obligations

The Kingdom of Bahrain is a preferred destination for both skilled and qualified expatriates, who are attracted by its openness to the world cultures and tax-free environment, among others.

Expatriates who are coming to the Kingdom of Bahrain to take up an employment need to follow certain regulations set by LMRA:

1. Do not work without a valid work permit issued or renewed by LMRA.
2. Provide LMRA with the digital finger prints, photo and signature when entering the kingdom for the first time, or within a period not exceeding one month from the date of entry.
3. Do not abscond from work for more than 15 days without the employer's permission or work only for the same employer you are permitted to work with – as per your work permit.
4. Work only at your employer's premises as stated in the work permit.
5. Inform LMRA and the employer for your intention to work with another employer within the period specified in the transfer decision and follow the transfer procedures.