Living and Working in UAE & the Middle East
Quick Links - Living and Working in : Bahrain / Kuwait / Oman / Qatar
Living and Working in Bahrain
Quick links: Accommodation / Bank Accounts / Healthcare / Pay & Bens / Tax / Visas / Travel
Bahrain is one of the most cosmopolitan and Westernised countries in the Middle East. While Islam is the main religion, Bahrainis are known for their tolerance. One of the key differences in Bahrain is the restriction of alcohol. Generally, only hotels have licenses to sell alcohol, so you are likely to find that the majority of bars, restaurants and clubs aimed at Westerners will be attached to hotels.
The month of Ramadan is a feature of life in the Middle East. During this month, eating, drinking and smoking are not permitted in public, from sunrise to sunset. This is strictly adhered to and even as a non-Muslim it is unacceptable to partake in any of the above.
While drinking might be frowned upon, shopaholics are more than welcome in Bahrain; it’s a retail paradise with breathtaking malls and department stores, selling everything from Blu-ray players to designer clothes, all tax free.
If you’re more of an outdoors person, you’ll have no trouble finding a local willing to share their love of fishing, horse riding, golf or water sports with you. Desert driving is also popular - what could be more exciting than taking a 4-wheel drive over the sand dunes?
Budding socialites will be at home among the thriving expat community; relax around the pool at one of the social clubs or sample the cuisine at restaurants serving Arabic, European, American and Asian cuisine.
Accommodation
Until recently, expats only had the option to rent in Bahrain, with ownership being restricted to Bahraini nationals. Now, however, expats can buy property in certain areas - Ahmed Al-Fatah, Hoora and Bu Ghazal are popular.
In the rental market a variety of accommodation is available, from unfurnished apartments to fully furnished villas. Many executive apartments provide additional amenities - swimming pool, tennis court, gym, sauna and so on.
Flats and houses can be rented for any length of period, from a day to a decade and beyond. The longer the rental period, the better the deal. Prices vary depending on size and location: one-bedroom apartments start around 280 BD; 2 and 3 bedroom apartments cost upwards of 370 BD and villas can go for anything up to 850 BD per month.
To find accommodation, contact real estate agents, scour the newspapers or ask friends and colleagues.
Bank Accounts
Several of the world’s leading banks and their subsidiaries have branches in Bahrain. A number of foreign banks, including the British Bank of the Middle East, Citibank and Standard Chartered, have a major presence here. Setting up an account is easy, as is transferring money home. You’ll be given a cash card to withdraw money from ATM machines and credit cards are widely accepted.
Healthcare
We recommend that you be covered for healthcare at all times. There are a number of international companies that specialise in private health insurance - comprehensive, regional cover costs around £35 per month.
Long waiting lists are almost unheard of, with every city and major town having at least one modern hospital. They are listed in telephone directories, yellow pages and tourist publications. When choosing a hospital, your best bet is to seek advice from colleagues and friends.
The term ‘clinic’ is used to denote a general practitioner’s surgery. There’s a high ratio of doctors to patients and a routine first diagnostic visit costs about £40, with additional costs for any tests.
The majority of dentists are from Scandinavia, Britain and Russia - embassies keep details of nationals practising dentistry here. Dentists and orthodontists also advertise in telephone directories, expatriate magazines and tourist guides.
If you need to get to A&E, the most reliable method is to use your own transport or go by taxi. On arrival in Bahrain take note of the emergency telephone numbers, the location of the major hospitals and the quickest route there.
Pay & Benefits
Bahrain’s prosperity is not dependent on its oil reserves, becoming known for its financial institutions as early as the 1970s. It now has a well established base of leading, international companies and financial institutions, attracted by the buoyant economic situation.
Having made major investments in education and social welfare, Bahrain aims to become as self sufficient as possible in terms of its work force. For a candidate to be employed from overseas they must have experience and skills that cannot be found locally. For those candidates with skills in demand, a move to Bahrain could be life changing; remuneration and benefits packages are among the best in the world.
Tax
A major incentive to move to Bahrain is its status as a free economic zone. You don’t pay income tax there.
Visas
To obtain a driving licence, bank account or health insurance you need a Residence Visa. Your employer will act as your sponsor during your stay and it will be their responsibility to organise your Residence Visa.
Travel
Bahrain International airport is located on Al Muharraq, an island on the northern tip of the mainland. Gulf Air, British Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa and KLM regularly fly in and out of Bahrain.
You'll need to acquire an International Driving Permit before entering the country. Many people purchase cars for the duration of their stay as cars and petrol are so cheap.
Bahrain has a decent bus service linking most of the major towns with Manama and Muharraq. Taxis are metered, but for longer trips expect to negotiate an hourly rate.
Living and Working in Kuwait
Quick links: Accommodation / Bank Accounts / Healthcare / Pay & Bens / Tax / Visas / Travel
As the third largest oil producer in the Middle East, Kuwait is a wealthy and culturally diverse country. Kuwait has a pro-western stance and huge steps have been made to open doors to foreign investors, encouraging international trade. Kuwait was the first Arab country to have an elected parliament and granted full political rights to women in 2005.
Only 40% of the residents are nationals, the remaining population comprising South Asians, East Asians and Westerners. This exciting mix of cultures, languages and religions is complemented by a strong cultural tradition of family, hospitality and courtesy; the ‘old values’ sit comfortably with the ongoing developments.
Regarded as cosmopolitan and Westernised by its Middle Eastern neighbours, this is still an Islamic country - residents and visitors are expected to dress and behave appropriately. The month of Ramadan is a feature of life in the Middle East. During this month, eating, drinking and smoking are not permitted in public, from sunrise to sunset.
While drinking might be frowned upon, shopaholics are more than welcome here; it’s a retail paradise with breathtaking malls and department stores, selling everything from Blu-ray players to designer clothes, all tax free.
If you’re more of an outdoors person, you’ll have no trouble finding a local willing to share their love of fishing, horse riding, golf or water sports with you. Desert driving is also popular - what could be more exciting than taking a 4-wheel drive over the sand dunes?
Budding socialites will be at home among the thriving expat community; relax around the pool at one of the social clubs or sample the cuisine at restaurants serving Arabic, European, American and Asian cuisine.
Accommodation
In Kuwait, expats only have the option to rent. A variety of accommodation is available, from unfurnished apartments to fully furnished villas. Executive apartments providing additional amenities such as a swimming pool, tennis court, gym and sauna.
Flats and houses can be rented for any length of period, from a day to a decade and beyond. The longer the rental period, the better the deal. Prices vary depending on size and location: one-bedroom apartments start around 250 KWD; 2 and 3 bedroom apartments cost upwards of 300 KWD and villas can go for anything up to 2000 KWD per month.
To find accommodation, contact real estate agents, scour the newspapers or ask friends and colleagues.
Bank Accounts
- Kuwait has seven conventional banks:
- Alahli Bank, ABK
- Bank of Bahrain & Kuwait, BBK
- Burgan Bank, BB
- Commercial Bank of Kuwait, CBK
- Gulf Bank, GB
- Bank of Kuwait & the Middle East, BKME
- National Bank of Kuwait, NBK
- Kuwait Finance House, KFH
Setting up an account is easy, as is transferring money home. You’ll be given a cash card to withdraw money from ATM machines and credit cards are widely accepted.
Healthcare
We recommend that you be covered for healthcare at all times. There are a number of international companies that specialise in private health insurance - comprehensive, regional cover costs around £35 per month.
Long waiting lists are almost unheard of, with every city and major town having at least one modern hospital. They are listed in telephone directories, yellow pages and tourist publications. When choosing a hospital, your best bet is to seek advice from colleagues and friends.
The term ‘clinic’ is used to denote a general practitioner’s surgery. There’s a high ratio of doctors to patients and a routine first diagnostic visit costs about £40, with additional costs for any tests.
The majority of dentists are from Scandinavia, Britain and Russia - embassies keep details of nationals practising dentistry here. Dentists and orthodontists also advertise in telephone directories, expatriate magazines and tourist guides.
If you need to get to A&E, the most reliable method is to use your own transport or go by taxi. On arrival in Kuwait take note of the emergency telephone numbers, the location of the major hospitals and the quickest route there.
Pay & Benefits
Since the Iraqi invasion of 1991, Kuwait has undergone an impressive economic recovery. Although it traditionally depended on oil production to fund economic and social development, clever investment of profits has resulted in an impressive diversification of industry, including a deep-water port on Bubiyan Island - a gateway for trade into Iraq and western Iran.
Kuwait aims to become as self sufficient as possible in terms of its work force. For a candidate to be employed from overseas they must have experience and skills that cannot be found locally. For those candidates with skills in demand, a move to Kuwait could be life changing; remuneration and benefits packages are among the best in the world.
Tax
A major incentive to move to Kuwait is its status as a free economic zone. You don’t pay income tax there.
Visas
To obtain a driving licence, bank account or health insurance, you need a Residence Visa. Your employer will act as your sponsor during your stay and it’s their responsibility to organise this.
Travel
Kuwait International airport is 10km south of Kuwait City; Gulf Air, British Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa and KLM regularly fly in and out of Kuwait.
You'll need to get an International Driving Permit before entering the country; driving is on the right. Many people purchase cars for the duration of their stay as cars and petrol are so cheap.
lternative transportation is essentially limited to taxis, which are metered, although you might discover the meter is ‘broken’ and you have to haggle. Bus services are not generally used by expats and as yet there is no rail system.
Living and Working in Oman
Quick links: Accommodation / Bank Accounts / Healthcare / Pay & Bens / Tax / Visas / Travel
The Sultanate of Oman is on the south-east coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It borders the United Arab Emirates in the northwest, Saudi Arabia in the west, and Yemen in the southwest. Oman is a country of dramatic mountains and long unspoilt beaches. It is a safe, secure, stable, clean and environmentally aware country, currently going through an impressive period of growth andmodernisation.
Oman remains one of the most traditional countries in the Gulf. Residents and visitors are expected to dress and behave appropriately. The month of Ramadan is a feature of life in the Middle East. During this month, eating, drinking and smoking are not permitted in public, from sunrise to sunset.
While drinking might be frowned upon, shopaholics are more than welcome here; it’s a retail paradise with breathtaking malls and department stores, selling everything from Blu-ray players to designer clothes, all tax free.
If you’re more of an outdoors person, you’ll have no trouble finding a local willing to share their love of fishing, horse riding, golf or water sports with you. Desert driving is also popular - what could be more exciting than taking a 4-wheel drive over the sand dunes?
Budding socialites will be at home among the thriving expat community; relax around the pool at one of the social clubs or sample the cuisine at restaurants serving Arabic, European, American and Asian cuisine.
Accommodation
Until recently, expats only had the option to rent, with ownership being restricted to Omani nationals. Recently, however, plans have been outlined for expats (resident or not) to buy property in certain areas. The details and restrictions are currently vague, but the relevant areas will be those earmarked for tourist developments.
In the rental market a variety of accommodation is available, from unfurnished apartments to fully furnished villas. Many executive apartments providing additional amenities such as a swimming pool, tennis court, gym and sauna.
Flats and houses can be rented for any length of period, from a day to a decade and beyond. The longer the rental period, the better the deal. Prices vary depending on size and location: one-bedroom apartments start around 280 OR; 2 and 3 bedroom apartments cost upwards of 385 OR and villas can go for anything up to 700 OR per month.
To find accommodation, contact real estate agents, scour the newspapers or ask friends and colleagues.
Healthcare
We recommend that you be covered for healthcare at all times. There are a number of international companies that specialise in private health insurance - comprehensive, regional cover costs around £35 per month.
Long waiting lists are almost unheard of, with every city and major town having at least one modern hospital. They are listed in telephone directories, yellow pages and tourist publications. When choosing a hospital, your best bet is to seek advice from colleagues and friends.
The term ‘clinic’ is used to denote a general practitioner’s surgery. There’s a high ratio of doctors to patients and a routine first diagnostic visit costs about £40, with additional costs for any tests.
The majority of dentists are from Scandinavia, Britain and Russia - embassies keep details of nationals practising dentistry here. Dentists and orthodontists also advertise in telephone directories, expatriate magazines and tourist guides.
If you need to get to A&E, the most reliable method is to use your own transport or go by taxi. On arrival in Oman, take note of the emergency telephone numbers, the location of the major hospitals and the quickest route there.
Bank Accounts
Several of the world’s leading banks and their subsidiaries have branches in Oman. A number of foreign banks, including the British Bank of the Middle East, Citibank and Standard Chartered have a major presence here. Setting up an account is easy, as is transferring money home. You’ll be given a cash card to withdraw money from ATM machines and credit cards are widely accepted.
Pay & Benefits
The Omani economy has undergone a dramatic transformation over the last forty years. Until oil went into production in 1967, the economy consisted of trading in dates, limes and skins and was otherwise at a subsistence level. All that changed however, after the accession of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos in 1970. Emphasis was immediately placed on the path to a rapid modernisation, with transportation, commerce and industry developed almost from scratch.
Oman’s goal is to become as self sufficient as possible in terms of its work force. For a candidate to be employed from overseas they must have experience and skills that cannot be found locally. For those candidates with skills in demand, a move to Oman could be life changing; remuneration and benefits packages are among the best in the world.
Tax
A major incentive to move to Oman is its status as a free economic zone. You don’t pay income tax there.
Visas
To obtain a driving licence, bank account or health insurance you need a Residence Visa. Your employer will act as your sponsor during your stay and it will be their responsibility to organise your Residence Visa.
Travel
Oman’s main International airport is Seeb International Airport, based in Muscat; Oman Air, Gulf Air, British Airways, Emirates and Lufthansa regularly fly in and out of Oman.
You'll need to acquire an International Driving Permit before entering the country. Many people purchase cars for the duration of their stay as cars and petrol are so cheap.
Alternative transportation is essentially limited to taxis, which are metered, although you might discover the meter is ‘broken’ and you have to haggle. Bus services are not generally used by expats and as yet there is no rail system.
Living and Working in Qatar
Quick links: Accommodation / Bank Accounts / Healthcare / Pay & Bens / Tax / Visas / Travel
For centuries, Qatar’s economy was based largely on pearling and fishing. The discovery of oil in the 1940s transformed the country’s future. Today, oil and huge offshore gas reserves ensure a high standard of living for its citizens.
Qatar may only be a small peninsula, but it has an infrastructure and transport system to rival any other Middle Eastern nation. While Arabic is the official language, English is widely spoken and Persian, Hindi, Nepali and Urdu are also common. This is a country where traditional Islamic values exist alongside modernity and personal freedom, permitting a lifestyle with few limitations.
The majority of expats will be based in the capital, Doha, which offers all the advantages of modern city living. Journey beyond it and you will find beautiful beaches and majestic sand dunes.
If you’re more of an outdoors person, you’ll have no trouble finding a local willing to share their love of fishing, horse riding, golf or water sports with you. Desert driving is also popular - what could be more exciting than taking a 4-wheel drive over the sand dunes?
Budding socialites will be at home among the thriving expat community; relax around the pool at one of the social clubs or sample the cuisine at restaurants serving Arabic, European, American and Asian cuisine.
Accommodation
Expats are usually accommodated in self-contained compounds. These comfortable places are ideal for families and often come with swimming pools, tennis courts, satellite TV and security.
Doha also has a choice of spacious villas and comfortable furnished apartments close to the city centre. All homes come have air conditioning.
To find accommodation, contact real estate agents, scour the newspapers or ask friends and colleagues.
Bank Accounts
There are 14 commercial banks operating in Qatar, including six national banks. You’ll be given a cash card to withdraw money from ATM machines and credit cards are widely accepted.
Healthcare
We recommend that you be covered for healthcare at all times. There are a number of international companies that specialise in private health insurance - comprehensive, regional cover costs around £35 per month.
Long waiting lists are almost unheard of, with every city and major town having at least one modern hospital. They are listed in telephone directories, yellow pages and tourist publications. When choosing a hospital, your best bet is to seek advice from colleagues and friends.
The term ‘clinic’ is used to denote a general practitioner’s surgery. There’s a high ratio of doctors to patients and a routine first diagnostic visit costs about £40, with additional costs for any tests.
The majority of dentists are from Scandinavia, Britain and Russia - embassies keep details of nationals practising dentistry here. Dentists and orthodontists also advertise in telephone directories, expatriate magazines and tourist guides.
If you need to get to A&E, the most reliable method is to use your own transport or go by taxi. On arrival in Qatar take note of the emergency telephone numbers, the location of the major hospitals and the quickest route there.
Pay & Benefits
Economically, Qatar is now a top performer in the Middle East, with GDP growing around 6.5% per year. An average per capita income level of around $30,000 is also among the highest in the world.
Qatar’s goal is to become as self sufficient as possible in terms of its work force. For a candidate to be employed from overseas they must have experience and skills that cannot be found locally. For those candidates with skills in demand, a move to Qatar could be a life changing; remuneration and benefits packages are very generous.
Taxes
A major incentive to move to Qatar is its status as a free economic zone. You don’t pay income tax here.
Visas
To obtain a driving licence, bank account or health insurance you need a Residence Visa. Your employer will act as your sponsor during your stay and it is their responsibility to organise it.
Travel
Qatar enjoys excellent transport facilities. In 2002, the government launched the Taxi Company, ‘Karwa’. 100% owned, managed and operated by the government, over 2,000 well-maintained taxis make it easy and affordable to get around the country.
Many expats choose to rent a car during their stay. There are plenty of reputable car rental companies, including Hertz and Avis and the road infrastructure in Doha is good. Expect to pay around 1500 Riyals a month. You can use your national driving licence for one week, after which a Qatari licence must be obtained. Alternatively, an International licence can be used for 6 months.
The main airport is Doha International. After recent major development, the airport is fast becoming one of the world’s largest with a state of the art infrastructure. This is the home of Qatar Airways, a national airline flying to destinations in Europe, Asia and America.
