Recently my company renewed my work permit online – with Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA). From the time they took my passport, I found that the work permit renewal was done in just one day.

And the very next day, on the expat portal section of LMRA website – I could see the details of my visa with the renewed date.

LMRA’s online focus seems to have speeded things up. Good job done. And subsequently residence permit and re-entry visa stamping were also done in a week’s time. (Of course, I must admit that my company is a large organisation and so probably they are keeping all their paperwork up-to-date and found it the renewal process easier.)

One observation – I find that expiry date of RP and REV are still written by hand – it is illegible – whereas the issue date is neatly printed with a rubber-stamp.

I don’t know why the General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence cannot use one more rubber stamp for the expiry date also.

I have only one request to LMRA – since by definition your work mainly involves dealing with foreigners (most of whom don’t speak Arabic) – please ensure that all your frontline staff (including security guards) are people who are sufficiently fluent in spoken English.

That will remove communication problems and definitely lead to a positive LMRA image among expats.

Satisfied expat.