Demand Letter and Documents Required to Hire Indian Workers in Bahrain
Short answer
A Bahrain employer hiring Indian workers needs a demand letter on company letterhead, a power of attorney for the Indian agency, proof of eligibility with Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), an employment contract, and the LMRA Work Permit approvals. The agency then obtains Indian emigration clearance, which is required for workers on ECR passports.
Employer document checklist
| Document | Prepared by | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Trade licence or commercial registration | Employer | Proves the establishment can employ workers |
| Bahrain establishment account or card | Employer | Active LMRA employer registration linked to the company's commercial registration (CR). |
| Authorised signatory ID | Employer | Confirms who signs the demand letter and contract |
| Demand letter | Employer, drafted with the agency | States trades, numbers, salary, benefits and contract length |
| Power of attorney for the agent | Employer | Authorises the licensed Indian agency to recruit on your behalf |
| Employment contract or offer | Employer and worker | Must align with Bahrain Labour Law No. 36 of 2012 |
| LMRA Work Permit approvals | Employer via Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) | Approved LMRA work permit for each Indian worker. |
| Emigration clearance | Indian agency | Required for ECR passport holders before departure |
| Medical and biometrics | Agency and worker | Medical fitness requirements depend on the visa route; the current requirement is confirmed against the LMRA file before mobilisation. |
What a good demand letter contains
- Company name, address, registration number and contact person.
- Each trade with headcount, minimum experience and any certification required.
- Guaranteed monthly basic salary and any fixed allowances, shown separately from overtime.
- Accommodation, transport, food, medical insurance and joining ticket details.
- Contract duration, working hours and leave terms.
- Project location and expected joining date.
Attestation and eMigrate
Indian emigration rules require foreign employer documents, including the demand letter and power of attorney, to be attested as notified by the Government of India, and the employer to be registered on the eMigrate system. Attestation requirements are updated from time to time, so confirm the current process with your agency.
Document mistakes that delay Bahrain mobilisation
- LMRA registration not linked to a current commercial registration.
- Work permit trade code not matching the trade named in the offer.
- Accommodation not meeting labour accommodation standards.