Menu
Expat.com

Work Visa change and dependants

Post new topic

Richard4204

I have recently changed jobs, old visa cancelled and new visa sticker in my passport after 2 months they have not given my wife and daughter their new dependant visas.

They tell me I must go to LMRA and cancel my wife and daughter‘a old visa despite my old employer saying this is already done. They have stayed in Bahrain with me for over the 30 days as I was told this would not be a problem.

Could somebody please tell me the process to update my dependant’s visas in these circumstances?

Thanks

XTang

Dependent visas are automatically cancelled when the main visa ie yours is cancelled.

They should apply for your family visas as new visas. But the problem I see is that the family is overstaying so probably the system will block the application due to overstay.  Whoever told you that it is not an issue didn't know anything.

Unfortunately, your sponsor has to take it forward.  Show them a screen shot from lmra express services with your family details.... It should clearly show that their old visa is invalid.

Richard4204

Thanks.

I saw immediately on the expat forum that my old visa was was no longer valid, it still actually says that despite having the new visa in my passport, I was told repeatedly that my family didn’t have to leave and that it was ok for them to stay.

I will call the LMRA and take advice before speaking to my employers on Sunday

XTang

Think logically, if ALL your visas are cancelled and only you get a new one, why would the family not be subject to the 30 day rule?

Richard4204

I work for the Government and have been told that the LMRA don’t deal with this

XTang

Now I am confused. Is your new company part of lmra or not?  Or the old one only?

You should have given these details from the beginning. What you said and asked has a completely answer to what you are saying now.

For visas issued by npra and not lmra, the dependent visas must be cancelled manually and removed from system. They become invalid when your visa is cancelled but would need to be removed separately. So your company is right if that is the case. But cancellation would be with npra and not lmra.

Richard4204

Old company was on LMRA, new one is a Government Department. Should have made this clear, but didn’t know this was important until after speaking to LMRA

What you say now makes sense and has so far been the most helpful advice I’ve received.

Thanks

XTang

Ok now it makes sense. Your government company is confused and stating right process IF you were coming from another government company - but you are not. Explain to them that you were lmra and dependent visas are cancelled with both lmra and npra automatically when yours was cancelled. They can proceed without issue.

At max just go to lmra and get the cancelled stamp on all of your visas. Not necessary but helps with government bureaucrats :).

Richard4204

Yeah I’ve established that the stamp is the issue with them, basically I’ll have to do the leg work with LMRA and then they can apply (as new) with immigration!

Confused is an understatement!! Thanks for your help mate

Articles to help you in your expat project in Bahrain

  • Visas for Bahrain
    Visas for Bahrain

    Almost all travellers to Bahrain require a visa, with the exception of passport holders from the GCC (Gulf ...

  • Getting married in Bahrain
    Getting married in Bahrain

    Bahrain allows anyone who resides in the country to get married, irrespective of nationality or religion. The ...

  • Driving in Bahrain
    Driving in Bahrain

    Expats love the freedom and convenience of driving, and many choose to purchase or rent their own car. But, ...

  • Opening a bank account in Bahrain
    Opening a bank account in Bahrain

    Opening a local bank account is essential for receiving your salary. The Wage Protection System (WPS) is designed ...

  • Relocating with your pets to Bahrain
    Relocating with your pets to Bahrain

    One of the decisions to make when relocating to a foreign country is what to do about pets. For many expats, there ...

  • Starting a business in Bahrain
    Starting a business in Bahrain

    According to the World Bank Group report for 2019, Bahrain lies 3rd out of 20 nations, for ease of doing business ...

  • Studying in Bahrain
    Studying in Bahrain

    The universities and colleges in Bahrain are too numerous to mention. The majority are Bahrain institutions, but ...

  • Education and childcare in Bahrain
    Education and childcare in Bahrain

    Both public and private schools are available in Bahrain, but most expats tend to enrol their children in private ...

All of Bahrain's guide articles