Delayed decision as MPs remain divided over ban on visit visa to work permit conversion

TDT | Manama

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Parliament has decided to put off a vote on a contentious draft law that seeks to ban converting visit visas into work permits.

The proposal has stirred heated debate among MPs, with some arguing it’s a necessary step to secure job opportunities for locals, while others say existing measures already do the job.

The draft law aims to amend the 1965 Aliens (Immigration and Residence) Act by adding a new article that outright bans the practice of turning entry visas into work permits. A second clause would void any conflicting laws, and a third provision outlines the law’s implementation.

Hassan Bukhamas, chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence, and National Security Committee, asked for a two-week delay to allow for further study, a request Parliament approved.

Fairness

“This is about fairness in our workforce,” said MP Jalal Kadhem, who backs the law. “We need to curb the flow of cheap foreign labour, which has created unfair competition and reduced job prospects for Bahrainis.”

The law, originally proposed in May 2023, is intended to shore up employment for locals and back the government’s long-term labour market strategy, which puts Bahrainis first in hiring and supports them with training programmes.

Kadhem warned that the unchecked conversion of visit visas into work permits fuels unemployment and undermines this national plan.

However, not everyone is convinced the law is needed.

Goals

MP Hassan Ebrahim, the committee’s rapporteur, said the goals of the proposal have already been achieved.

He pointed to a February 2024 decision by the Minister of Interior, which restricts visa conversions to cases where the worker stays under the same guarantor, with a BD250 fee.

According to Ebrahim, these changes have slashed visa conversions by 87 per cent, addressing the issue without introducing new legislation.

Top choice

“This law was drawn up before these rules came into force,” said Ebrahim. “The current policies already ensure that Bahrainis remain the top choice for hiring while avoiding additional costs for locals. For instance, Bahraini families would face greater expenses if workers in roles such as domestic help couldn’t convert their visas.”

Ebrahim also noted that neighbouring countries like the UAE and Oman allow similar conversions, making Bahrain’s current approach less restrictive in comparison.

First Deputy Speaker Abdulla Nabi Salman dismissed the current situation as “meaningless”, questioning whether such a system has any place in Bahrain.