Can I leave my job without notice in Bahrain?
Yes, but ask LMRA about your work permit before you stop work. Your contract ends on your last day at work (Art. 99). You owe your employer compensation only if you left at a bad time, to cause harm, or caused serious damage (Art. 112).
Checked 24 October 2026
Get your datesEvery deadline as a date, from your last working day.
What to do now
- If you can, give 30 days in writing or ask your employer to waive it in writing.
- If an Article 105 or 106 case fits, keep evidence and contact the Ministry of Labour.
- Build your leaving plan for your final pay and claim dates.
See an example plan
What to ask HR
- Will you waive my notice, in writing?
- When will you pay my final dues?
What happens if you just leave
When a worker ends the contract, it ends from the day they leave their duties (Art. 99).
Your employer is entitled to compensation only if you skipped the notice (Art. 112).
Even then, a court looks for more. You must also have left at an unsuitable time, to cause harm, or causing serious damage.
So the safer route is still to give 30 days in writing (Arts. 99 and 100), or to ask your employer to waive it (Art. 103).
Your permit and residence
Walking out can put your work permit and residence at risk. Ask LMRA what it means for yours before you stop work.
After your work permit is cancelled, you have 30 days to leave Bahrain or move to a new employer.
When you may leave at once
Article 105 lets you leave without notice if your employer assaults you, or commits an immoral act against you.
That exit is treated as unfair dismissal. Ask the Ministry of Labour what that means for your claim.
Breach or fraud by your employer
If your employer seriously breaks the contract, or used fraud, follow Article 106:
- Ask your employer in writing to put it right, within a period of up to 30 days.
- If nothing changes, you may then end the contract with notice.
- If the breach is proven, the exit counts as unjustified dismissal.
Your indemnity
Article 116 has no cut for resigning. It pays half a month's wage a year for 3 years, then a month a year. The base is basic wage plus any social allowance (Art. 47).
For expats, SIO pays the part for service from 1 March 2024. Ask SIO what resigning means for that part.
Absence
Do not simply stop turning up. Long unauthorised absence, after written warnings, is a ground for dismissal without notice (Art. 107).
Your final pay
When you leave of your own accord, your employer has up to 7 days from the day you leave to pay (Art. 40). Late wages carry 6% a year.
Your visa
Once your work permit is cancelled, you must leave Bahrain within 30 days, or transfer to another employer (bahrain.bh).
If you are not paid
Once the job has ended, claims go to the Labour Case Administration Office at the Ministry of Justice. You have 1 year from the end of the contract to bring a claim (Art. 136).