Bahrain is one of the top choices for a lot of expats who want to live in the Gulf region. Bahrain has a lot of advantages among other countries in the Middle East. It has a great economy and it is a really fast-growing financial center. Bahrain invests a lot in banking, finance, and tourism. And these three things are right now the most important in the Bahrain economy growth. Knowing these facts it is really not unexpected that a lot of people are moving to Bahrain and need help from international movers Bahrain to relocate and settle down. So, knowing this we will talk more about Bahrain and how to relocate here easily and without any problems.
Why are people moving to Bahrain?
Bahrain is growing really fast and it is becoming more and more attractive for expats. It is home to more than 1.3 million people and a large portion of this number is expats. Bahrain has a really open economy, great tax regime and that is why it is becoming a choice for many people. Before you move to Bahrain you should know that this is a Muslim country and a pretty conservative country. It is really important to pay attention to customs in Bahrain and pay attention to their laws. Bahrain culture is pretty interesting, and you should do your best to respect it. You can talk to your moving company, like Four Winds Bahrain and they can give you additional information and warn you about certain things.
Immigration information before you move to Bahrain
Immigration information should be one of the first things you explore before you decide to relocate here. People who live in Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates) are free to visit Bahrain without any visa. If you are coming from some other country, you will need a visa. Visas can be standard or they can be eVisa and you will not have any visible stamps on your passport. If you have a sponsored visa, the visa is arranged by a sponsor- for example, your future employer. There are a lot of different types of Visas, so make sure to apply for one and gather all the information.
There is no personal tax income regime
Although it might sound strange for someone from the western hemisphere – Bahrain does not impose any personal income tax, however, employees are subject to social security contributions. And they are paid by the worker and the employer. Contributions are calculated based on the employee’s monthly salary. If you do not have a job waiting for you, make sure to learn about everything you will need in order to work in Bahrain.
Also, you will need to learn about Islamic holidays and vacations. In Bahrain, free days are Friday and Saturday. It might seem a little bit hard to adapt in the beginning since usually, the days off work are weekends. But do not worry – you will adjust very easy and very fast!
If you are moving to Bahrain prepare yourself for the extreme summers
A lot of people don’t really think about it before they actually move to Bahrain. Summer in Bahrain lasts from April to October and the temperatures can go up to 48 Celsius (118.4 Fahrenheit). Winters are very mild, so depending on when you are moving to make sure to pack your belongings accordingly to the weather in Bahrain. You should also know that there are no permanent rivers in Bahrain.
Bahrain experiences periodic droughts and dust storms. Exposure to dust storms can lead to lung infections. Protect yourself by staying indoors or covering your nose and mouth with a mask when going out. Wear airtight goggles to prevent eye infection and drink lots of water to keep your body hydrated. These are just some basic tips if you are not accustomed to weather like this.
Learn about customs
A thing that will help you a lot os to learn about laws and customs in Bahrain. You probably know that Bahrain is home to F1 Grand Prix, but besides that – there are a lot of other things that make Bahrain rather unique. While you are preparing yourself for life in Bahrain and learning, make sure to be in touch with your movers. Move to Bahrain can take time depending on where you are coming. So a great thing you can do is sign a contract with your moving company. That way – you will be able to focus on life in Bahrain and not on some paperwork.
Bahrain has a really long history, dating back to the Bronze Age. The Bahrain Kingdom has declared its independence in 1971. After that, they joined the United Nations. You should definitely visit museums since they are very dedicated to preserving their history that is rather interesting. You can learn a lot about their customs. One of the museums that should be on your list is Beit Al Qur’an. It is regarded as one of the top Islamic museums in the world.
Moving to Bahrain with kids
If you are moving with your kids, you do not have to worry about their education nor their fun activities after school. The only thing that you should do is to prepare them for the relocation. And explore the options for their education. There are a lot of international schools that are very competitive. They are specially designed for the special needs of kids of different nationalities. So although Bahrain is conservative, you can be sure that your kid will get a very good education.
Life in Bahrain
Life in Bahrain can be pretty interesting. There is a very interesting and vibrant expat community. And for example, you can enjoy so many different cuisines from around the world. Also, Bahrain is home to shopping, and it has a lot of different things to offer. And, if you like to visit some cultural events – do not worry – there is something happening all year round. You can choose from a variety of different events and enjoy your time in Bahrain.