Bahrain being surrounded by lively cities like Manama, Seef and Muharraq, along with a really well-developed infrastructure and good international schools, a plan to start living there cannot go wrong. With this guide of ours, we will walk you through everyfast fact you need to know about Bahrain. Before we get into the details, let’s start with the basics. Manama, a vibrant city where tradition and modernity go hand in hand, is the capital city of Bahrain. The currency being used is Bahraini Dinar (BHD) and the time zone being followed is Arabia
Standard Time (GMT + 3). Arabic and English are the primary languages used in this country.
Climate in Bahrain
This island nation has sunshine and a sub-tropical climate throughout the entire year, which makes getting used to the heat one of the major challenges for expatriates to overcome. Temperatures can go high up to 45 degrees in the summer months of June to September. During the cooler months, December to March, 24 degrees Celsius is the common temperature. To bear with the heat, most buildings are usually airconditioned.
Visas and permits in Bahrain
If you are someone who does not have a job in your hands, multiple organisations or other resident expats can sponsor your visas. You will have to obtain a Bahrain residency visa and ID card. A residency visa can be secured through a couple of ways like finding a job and being sponsored by your employer, setting up and registering a business in Bahrain, and receiving a family visa on behalf of your spouse or parent
who is a resident. You can also apply for a work permit if you have any plan to work
while living in Bahrain.
The entire process would be smoother if you already have a job offer letter with you. Sponsorship will also mostly be taken care of, as a lot of companies lend a hand with the paperwork and other parts of a visa application. You should always verify if you have the right visas and permit for your time here because it is illegal to work here on a tourist visa.
Connectivity:
Since being connected with every part of the world is important for most people, how to get online the moment you reach Bahrain is a question that you might have. Below is how you can get connected on your mobile and in your new home.
Mobile
There are 3 telecom companies to choose from: Batelco, STC, and Zain. After opting for a provider, you will need a valid Bahrain ID to register and sign up for a mobile phone number.
Home internet
Here, you get a choice among a number of different telecommunication companies in Bahrain. The documents you need to get set up are a Bahrain ID (original and copy) and a passport, including a stamped residency visa (original and copy).
Accommodation in Bahrain
This is where you will have to break the bank while staying in Bahrain. You should decide whether to rent or buy a property based on how long you are planning to stay.
Renting a property in Bahrain
Both furnished and unfurnished properties are available, which basically depends on where you are looking forward to living in Bahrain. You can pay your rent for the year upfront with a security deposit. Some landlords accept post-dated cheques too, so the better idea would be to speak to a prospective landlord about this. When you sign a lease, you will need to present your residency visa, passport and proof of income.
Buying a property in Bahrain
Freehold areas, which are the only designated areas for expat property purchases, give you different price points and property types. You can buy properties that are ready to move in to, or ‘off plan’, which is a property that is marketed but not built yet.
Working in Bahrain
Bahrain is considered to be one of the best destinations by expats to work in the Middle East. The working week runs either from Sunday to Thursday or Saturday to Thursday to observe the Muslim holy day of Friday. Eight work hours a day are standard, but some businesses may extend this to nine hours. You can find many different industries throughout the country as well as the option to be self-employed. Just make sure you have the right Bahrain work visa depending on the type of employment you are after. To avoid any salary related issues, it is always good to have your bank account set up before you start working. Also, check if it is possible to add to your pension while working here.
Day-to-day spending
A few of the smaller shops and restaurants may ask you to pay with cash, but credit and debit cards are widely accepted here. You may also get rewards for spending, which mainly relies on the card you have and who you bank with.
Paying tax
There is zero income tax but there are other taxes to pay in Bahrain. All residents have to pay 10% VAT on the purchase of all goods and services.
Education in Bahrain
As mentioned earlier, you get a good range of international schools here. They can be limited at times, so try to find and secure a school place before you move here. There is also an option to send your children to a public school, which generally teaches in both Arabic and English, while private schools teach just in English.
To learn more about Bahrain education, check out the Bahrain Ministry of Education website.
Transport in Bahrain
Buses and taxis are the main means of transport that Bahrain provides. Owning a car would be better if you plan to settle here or stay for a longer period of time. Plus, the major cities do have well-appointed bus routes. Uber and Careem are the two main ride-sharing apps if you ever want to hire a private car. And when you drive, know that traffic regulations here are very strict and there is a zero-tolerance policy towards drinking and driving or using your phone while driving. It is okay to drive with an international licence, but you will need a local licence if you have residency status.
Tradition and Culture
Being a diverse country that is open to wide-ranging cultures and faiths, Islam is the official religion of Bahrain and it has a huge role to play in how citizens live their everyday lives. You will also find places of worship available for many other major religions. In the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is the most sacred time of the year. You should avoid eating, drinking and smoking in public or in front of Muslim friends and colleagues during fasting hours, as a token of respect towards their spiritually significant time. Expats are welcome to join in the breaking of the fast at sunset. Many companies operate on fewer hours than usual during this blessed time.
What is the Next Step?
Because of the excitement about moving to a new country, there are a lot of things that one can forget. So, creating a checklist for moving to Bahrain can help you make everything fall in place. Here, we have put together 10 things you need to do before you leave for Bahrain.
1. Check your passport is valid
Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months as early as possible, because renewal usually takes some time. This saves you from any kind of delay in your journey.
2. Apply for work permits and visas
Obtain a Bahrain residency visa and/or work permit. If you have already secured employment, your employer may be able to sponsor your visa application and handle all the paperwork involved. Always check in advance what they will cover so that you can allow yourself enough time to collect any documents you may require to support your application.
3. Find out if you need any vaccinations or health checks
You will be asked to take a health assessment at times when you move to Bahrain for the first time. This includes checking for any communicable diseases or conditions you might carry or be at risk of contracting. Speak with a healthcare professional before you move to see if any vaccinations are required and to discuss any medication you may need.
4. Set a budget for your moving costs
You should be prepared for all the expenses that come with moving to a new location. This is not just about your flights and initial accommodation but also any furniture or household items you wish to bring with you. Extra baggage fees with airlines, the cost of services of a moving company to help you transport everything, and every other possible thing you might need to pay for in your first weeks after arrival should be taken care of by ensuring you have sufficient money set aside so you do not fall short.
5. Start building up your savings
After you are done with outlining your budget, set yourself some savings goals to build up a moving fund. This assists you with covering all your expenses, even the unexpected ones, when you arrive. Set goals that are realistic and achievable. If you are struggling to reach your target, look for any areas where you can cut corners on your current spending, or revisit your moving budget.
6. Review your taxes
Get to know how taxation works in your home country, and inform the government that you will be moving overseas. This allows you to clear any tax payments that are due, which you have not accounted for.
7. Research local schools
Do thorough research on education options if you are moving to Bahrain with schoolage children. It will be useful to find out in advance if there are any waiting lists you need to join, and what school fees you should expect to pay.
8. Set up your banking
To open a bank account in Bahrain, you will need to acquire a residency visa first. Additional documentation such as your passport, a proof of address and a letter of employment may also be requested.
9. Gather other key documentation
There are some other things you might want to arrange like a valid international driver’s license if you plan to drive in Bahrain and hold onto some references if you are renting a property. Gather all of these before starting your journey to Bahrain.
10. Consider travel insurance for your move
Have an extensive travel insurance policy that can cover you for any accidents or emergencies that might occur during your move. You may need to take out a policy with a company that specifically offers expat insurance. You can choose your travel insurance option when you book your flights to cover you if anything happens.
If you want more details, book a consultation with us.
Mohammed Ashiq
Consultant @fahdan
+973 33602509
info@fahdan.com
