The Shura Council of Bahrain has passed a bill requiring private hospitals, medical centers, and clinics to maintain a minimum percentage of Bahraini employees, effective February 17, 2025.  

The exact Bahrainisation percentage for the healthcare sector is yet to be determined, as council members believe the proposed 50 percent target is too ambitious. 

After further review, the Supreme Council for Health (SCH) will establish a feasible target and issue healthcare practice licenses accordingly. These amendments to the 2015 Private Medical Establishments Law were recommended for approval by the services committee, chaired by Dr. Jameela Al Salman.  

“According to statistics presented by the Labour Ministry as of June 2024, Bahraini graduates in general medical specialisations number 516 out of 1,052 job seekers,” said Dr. Jameela.  

She further explained, “The 50% target set by MPs does not account for specialisations, which could lead hospitals to hire medics in departments where they are not needed just to meet quotas and avoid penalties. This is where the legislation falls short. However, prioritising Bahraini medics remains the right approach. We have therefore granted the SCH the authority to determine appropriate percentages and issue licenses accordingly.”  

HE Dr Jalila bint Al Sayyed Jawad, Minister of Health emphasised that Bahraini medics are given priority over expatriates, even if the latter have more experience. “Qualified citizens are preferred for every vacancy. Tamkeen (Labour Fund) initiatives have also strengthened Bahrainis’ position in recruitment.”

She added that, “We have a list of approved specialisations where no Bahraini professionals are currently available, including nuclear medicine, minimally invasive gynecological surgery/robotic surgery, pediatric sports medicine, breast aesthetics and reconstructive surgery, and forensic pathology. Recently, the NHRA has also added specialisations such as bariatric procedures fellowship, epilepsy and EEG, marriage and family psychotherapy, and musculoskeletal imaging/intervention.”  

Shura Council Second Vice-Chairwoman Dr. Jihad Al Fadhel clarified that both chambers agree on prioritising Bahraini medics for jobs. “However, when there are no qualified Bahraini medics in a specific field, it does not mean just anyone should be hired to meet the Bahrainisation target.”  

Senior health officials reaffirmed that Bahrainis would always be given priority in medical sector recruitment. Assistant Under-Secretary for Labour Affairs at the Ministry of Labour, Ahmed Al Hayki, added that expatriate licenses are only issued following consultations with the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA).  

However, Tamkeen, a leading semi-autonomous government agency, opposed the decision, arguing that mandatory Bahrainisation could hinder investments and limit future job opportunities for Bahrainis in the medical field.  

The Bahrain Chamber echoed these concerns, stating that while the initiative is “noble in concept,” the 50% quota is impractical. The Private Medical Establishments Association suggested that Bahrainisation should be encouraged voluntarily rather than enforced.  

In a significant decision for expatriate workers in Bahrain, the Shura Council has unanimously rejected a proposal that would have banned converting tourist visas into work permits. The government and Cabinet argued that existing visa regulations—updated in February 2024—already prevent misuse.  

Under the current rules, visit visas cannot be converted into work or dependent visas without a sponsor. Even with sponsorship, the conversion fee has increased from BD60 to BD250, provided the sponsor remains the same.  

Council members emphasised that stringent regulations are already in place, making additional legislation unnecessary. They also warned that restricting visa conversions could deter foreign investment by making it more difficult for businesses to hire expatriates when needed.  

Shura Foreign Affairs, Defence, and National Security Committee Chairman Dr. Ali Al Rumaihi stated that visa regulations and conversions have traditionally been handled through administrative decisions rather than legislation. Adding that the goal of limiting visit-to-work visa conversions had already been addressed with last year’s rule changes.  

Committee rapporteur Nancy Khadoury highlighted that the proposed ban contradicted Article 18 of the existing law, which allows visa conversions as long as applicants meet the necessary requirements. She explained that the authority overseeing residence permits has the discretion to grant, renew, or limit permits based on periodic legal reviews.  

Shura Financial and Economic Affairs Committee Chairman Khalid Al Maskati argued that the amendments would have negatively impacted Bahrain’s employment landscape. And that foreign investors often hire Bahrainis but may also need expatriates to fill key roles. Restricting visa conversions, could interfere with investors' business setup and operations, increasing hiring costs.  

Shura Council member Ali Al Aradi added that the flexibility of the current system is beneficial, particularly for expatriates who may face difficulties returning to their home countries before reapplying for a work visa.  

Interior Ministry Under-Secretary for Legislative Affairs Rashid Bunajma reaffirmed that existing laws are sufficient to achieve the intended objectives of the rejected proposal. He explained that Bahrain already prohibits granting entry visas to non-Bahrainis seeking work unless they obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Immigration and Passports Directorate.

The NOC is issued only after securing a valid work permit or sponsorship from an approved entity. Nothing that since the introduction of stricter rules, the number of visit visas converted into work visas has dropped by over 87 percent.

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Both bills will now return to Parliament for further review. If approved in their revised forms, they will be sent to His Majesty King Hamad for ratification.  

Cross-border talent mobility and labour market localisation are becoming even stronger trends in 2025. At the same time, new regulations and amendments in the Middle East are focusing on making the region an even more attractive place for global talent. These changes aim to bring in unique skills and expertise from around the world, while also creating better opportunities for local talent in the private sector, strengthening the region’s workforce from within.