Health care costs now included in visa fees

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The government fees for Bahrain work and investor visas have risen in order to pay for health care for foreign nationals working in the country.

What does the change mean? The health care fees are 72 Bahraini dinars per year (about US$191) and are collected when applicants pay their fees for work and investor visas.

• Implementation timeframe:The changes took effect Jan. 6.
• Visas/permits affected:Work visas (new and renewal), investor visas (new and renewal), visa transfers, temporary work visas.
• Who is affected: Employers applying for visas in the categories listed above.
• Business impact:The higher government fees will impact company budgets.

Background: Last year, the Ministry of Health ordered mandatory basic health care for foreign workers. The government charges of BD 72 per year apply not only to new visas, but also for visa transfers, work and investor visa renewals and temporary work visas.

The new government fee, including the health care charges, for a one-year work visa is now BD 172 (approximately US$456). The new government fee, including two years’ worth of health care charges (BD 144, or roughly US$382), for a two-year work visa is now BD 344 D (approximately US$912).

A breakdown of the new fees for all visas is available at Bahrain’s Labour Market Regulatory Authority website.

BAL Analysis: Employers applying for work or investor visas should budget for the increased fees.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Bahrain. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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