New Work Permit

If I understand your post correctly:

This only applies if your "residence" permit was not issued through LMRA and/or you had a dependent visa and / or have a Golden visa (to some extent - this is called a termination certificate on Golden visa) where you apply for a right to work to LMRA - as opposed to directly applying for a work visa (meaning you have a residence visa already and then you file a separate application to LMRA to get the right to work).  So if you are on one of these then there is no other way round it.

LMRA site link:

https://www.lmra.gov.bh/en/page/show/547

@XTang

Thanks for the reply.

Note that i came via visit visa through my father's company sponsoring me for family visit and then found this job,so my sponsor (ex employer now) got visit visa converted to work visa. This may be what you are referring to.

Regardless note that as per discussion with various agents at docs clearance and visiting LMRA in person, like I Mentioned above, they are informing mobility is available only when the present sponsor allows it in the system.

One of the agent mentioned this rule came into effect this June 13, 2024.

The reason I mentioned this is because even LMRA informed and I quote "If sponsor doesn't transfer, then we can't help you dear".

They mentioned even without checking if mine is an RP already issued case as you mentioned. (golden visa or RP issued outside LMRA)

Since you are supporting by responding to a lot of queries, you can check if the above stated info is valid  for all cases from you part to have an updated info.

If possible, could you help me out with one more issue I am facing with the above situation.

My new sponsor have informed me they will apply for new work permit after exit so I am leaving this week but my final settlement amount is still not transferred though ticket is ready.

Old sponsor informed they would share the amount to my old bank account after exit. My doubt is whether the bank account will close immediately since my RP and cpr will be cancelled once I exit since this is a type of final exit and when I come back with new permit (if all goes well), I will have to undergo medical, fingerprint scanning etc though I'm aware the same cpr no will be issued.

To restate, incase settlement is not given by end of week, should I do something now like a labor case?

If I exit without collecting, do I lose my right to appeal for the same?

Your response would be greatly appreciated.

This is slightly different to what you said before.  Yes mobility has to be allowed by sponsor but you can get mobility without permission if you have worked with the sponsor for more than one year.  This has always been the case and it is not a new rule.

However, people get around it by cancelling their visa while staying in Bahrain and applying for a new one.  But this does not work for non LMRA RPs as they need cancellation certificate to transfer from within Bahrain. 

Hope it is clear now?

Your bank account will not close until the earlier of the expiry of the RP or the CPR is reached in the bank's records.  Accounts are not directly linked with immigration as is the case with Saudi.  Also, you don't lose your rights - you should consult with a lawyer and have him on standby to file the case if the employer delays too much.