What does the expat medical check for a Bahrain work permit involve?

Every expat applying for a work permit needs a medical check. It is done in two stages.

1. Before you travel
You are examined at a Wafid-approved medical centre in your home country. If your country is not covered by Wafid, you can use any hospital at home and your employer attaches the LMRA's non-Wafid form to the application.

2. After you arrive

• You give your biometrics at the LMRA office at the airport, or at an LMRA branch if you are already in Bahrain.
• The Ministry of Health then books you a medical appointment automatically at one of the centres your employer picked, and your employer gets the details by SMS and email.
• The appointment can be changed on bahrain.bh up to 24 hours before.
• If you miss it, contact the medical centre directly.

What the check includes

• Your medical history, vital signs, eyesight and colour vision.
• A physical examination.
• A chest X-ray.
• Blood tests for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis.
• A urine test.
• Some jobs need more tests: food handlers and cleaners give a stool test, and health-care and kindergarten workers have a TB skin test.

What people miss

• The Ministry of Health says people who test positive for HIV, hepatitis B or C are found unfit to work in Bahrain.
• Some jobs need a repeat check every two years.
• Dependants on a family visa do not need this medical.

Steps

1. Do the Wafid (or non-Wafid) medical in your home country.
2. Give biometrics at the LMRA airport office or a branch.
3. Attend the MOH-booked appointment (reschedule on bahrain.bh up to 24 hours before).
4. Wait for the MOH medical committee's fitness result to reach the LMRA.