THE Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) has accepted 31,648 applications until last Thursday, with 80 per cent of them being approved, new figures have revealed.

These included applications for new work visas and renewal of visas of employees and their dependents, said LMRA e-services and public relations manager Waheed Al Balushi.

Also there were applications for cleansing the data of expatriate workers.

“Eighty per cent of all the applications were approved,” Mr Al Balushi told the GDN.

“From July 1 until last Thursday, 2,189 new work visas were issued.

“A total of 21,779 applications were for renewals. The renewal process is simple.

“As soon as it is approved, the employer or his representative can go direct to the cashier and collect the renewed visa on payment of the required fees.”

Mr Al Balushi said only 957 applications were rejected for various reasons.

“These included lack of necessary data and the failure to meet the Bahrainisation percentage,” he added.

Small firms employing one to 10 workers can apply to LMRA for increasing the ceiling of expats in their establishments, if their application is rejected for Bahrainisation reasons, said Mr Al Balushi.

“A committee will look into their applications and review the decision in 10 days,” he added. “Those employing more than 10 workers should approach the Labour Ministry and give an undertaking to meet the Bahrainisation target within a specific period. “The Labour Ministry will increase the expat ceiling online which will be reflected on our records, following which their applications will be processed.”