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Tamkeen Wage Support Guide
How much of a Bahraini hire's wage does Tamkeen support?
Checked against Tamkeen rules · reviewed 1 Oct 2026 · next review 1 Jan 2027
How Tamkeen wage support works
Tamkeen pays a share of a new Bahraini employee's wage for a fixed number of years. You pick one track when you apply: front-loaded (70/50/30 over three years), flat 50% for three years, or flat 30% for five years. Special tracks exist for engineers, and employees with disabilities attract an extra 10% a year. The hire must meet a minimum monthly wage that depends on their qualification.
Support by track and year
| Track | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three years, tapering | 70% | 50% | 30% | — | — |
| Three years, flat | 50% | 50% | 50% | — | — |
| Five years, flat | 30% | 30% | 30% | 30% | 30% |
| Engineers track | 40% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 40% |
Percentage of the employee's wage. Add 10% a year for employees with disabilities.
Check with Tamkeen
- Tamkeen updates its tracks and caps; confirm your offer on tamkeen.bh before you hire.
- Bahrainisation percentages aren't covered here — they vary by activity.
Data Sources
Compare with expat costs
Estimate LMRA fees for your expat workers with the Bahrain LMRA fee calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much wage support does Tamkeen give for Bahraini hires?
Under the National Employment Program employers choose a track: three years at 70%, 50% then 30% of the wage; three years at 50%; or five years at 30%. An engineers track pays 40% for five years, and employees with disabilities get an extra 10% a year.
What is the minimum salary to qualify?
High school: BHD 350; Diploma: BHD 430; Bachelor's degree or higher: BHD 500; Actuary: BHD 500; Engineer: BHD 500; Doctor or dentist: BHD 800 a month.
Which employees qualify?
Bahrainis registered with the Social Insurance Organization, on an open-ended contract, who are fresh graduates with up to 24 months' experience, Ministry of Labour nominees or Jobs+ participants. Business owners, CR holders and first- or second-degree relatives of the employer don't qualify.
Which Tamkeen track pays the most in total?
Added up year by year, as a share of one year's wage: the front-loaded track (70% + 50% + 30%) comes to 150%, three years at 50% to 150%, five years at 30% to 150% and the engineers track to 200%. The front-loaded track pays the most in year one; the longer tracks spread the support out. These totals assume the wage doesn't change, and employees with disabilities add 10% a year.
When do I need to apply?
Within six months of the employee's hire date. Your company needs an active commercial registration, no violations with Tamkeen or LMRA, and must not be an outsourcing firm placing staff elsewhere.
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