Parliament Approves Expat ID Cards Linked to Residency Length

Parliament approved on Tuesday an amendment tying expat ID card validity to the length of legal residency, pushing it through despite a recommendation from Parliament’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee to reject the proposal in principle.

MPs also voted down a motion to postpone the discussion, keeping the bill on the day’s agenda before approving it at the sitting.

The change amends Article 3 of Law No. 46 of 2006 on the ID Card by adding a paragraph stating that, ‘in all cases’, a non-Bahraini’s ID card must not remain valid beyond the period of residence in Bahrain.

Justice Minister Nawaf Al Maawda told MPs that fees were not fixed, saying they were ‘always under review’, and adding that the ID card fee ‘will be reviewed’ to ensure it covers the real cost.

He urged MPs to distinguish between carrying an ID card and holding a valid residence permit, warning that anyone dealing with a person whose residency has expired faces consequences, and that banks and institutions are held to account through Labour Market Regulatory Authority procedures. ‘Has any harm fallen on employers from carrying the card?’ he asked.

Second deputy speaker Ahmed Qarata backed the bill’s aims but said the discussion exposed confusion over which body is responsible for deactivating an expat’s ID card once residency ends. He said there was ‘a lack of clarity’ in the replies of relevant agencies, pointing to differing roles cited for the Central Bank of Bahrain, the Information and eGovernment Authority, and the Labour Market Regulatory Authority.

Qarata also questioned claims that linking ID validity to residency would drive up operating costs, saying: ‘Issuing an ID card for a month or a year does not seem to create extra costs,’ and calling for a clearer explanation.

MP Jalal Kadhem said the measure was needed to close what he called a legal gap created when an expat is issued an ID card valid for five years while a residence permit may run for two, arguing that matching the terms would tighten labour-market discipline, stop cards being used after residency ends, and raise extra revenue without costing citizens; he cited an expat population of about 850,000 and estimated the missed income at around BD8.5 million, while criticising what he described as the state absorbing a BD4 per-card gap between the BD10 fee and a BD14 operating cost.

Al Maawda argued enforcement tools already exist, saying LMRA inspectors have devices to verify residency and that security services can confirm whether a permit is valid, while the ID card’s primary purpose is to confirm identity. He ended by stressing verification alongside a presumption of lawful conduct, saying: ‘The basic rule in the system is to assume good faith.’

The amendment now moves to the next stage of Bahrain’s legislative process.