Finding A Good Job In Bahrain: Tips And Tricks

Bahrain, a small Arab monarchy in the Persian Gulf, has the fastest-growing economy in the Arab world. The country's economy is largely petroleum-based, and the demand for oil has benefited its banking and financial sectors. Bahrain also exports aluminum and other construction materials. The country's tourism sector has also generated new jobs in recent years.

If you're looking for a job in Bahrain, here's a guide to help you get started.

Job vacancies in Bahrain

Bahrain is an island country located in the Persian Gulf with a growing economy. The official language is Arabic, and Manama is the big city. The country's major industries include oil, banking, finance, and petroleum-based exports, including aluminum and other construction materials. The tourism sector has also been generating new jobs in recent years.

If you are interested in working in Bahrain, you will need a work visa, a residency permit, and a CPR card (an identification document).

Work visas and permits

If you are interested in working in Bahrain, you will need to get a work visa, a residency permit, and a CPR (Central Population Registry) card, which is a local identification document.

Work Visas

Firstly, you will need to determine if you need a visa to work in Bahrain. All nationalities entering Bahrain need an entry visa, except for Gulf Cooperation Council nationals (Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar).

If you do need a visa, there are three types to choose from:

• Bahrain electronic visa: This visa is for tourism or business-related reasons and is available to certain nationalities for a period ranging from 14 to 90 days for one or multiple entries. It does not allow for employment.
• Embassy or consular visa: This visa is for nationals from countries that require the sponsorship of a Bahraini citizen, travel agent, or company to act as the guarantor. This visa is valid for one month and doesn't allow employment.
• Work visa: This permit is required for any type of employment and is valid for one to two years. It also entitles the holder to residency.

Sponsors

Foreigners entering Bahrain will usually need a Bahraini sponsor to support their visa application. Sponsors can be individuals, companies, or institutions, and in most cases, this will be the employer.

Requirements

The requirements for obtaining a work visa in Bahrain include:

• A completed visa application form
• The employee's passport, which must be valid for at least six months and preferably two years before applying
• A copy of the contract with the employee's name, birth date, and nationality
• A health record from an authorised clinic, conducted no more than three months before moving to Bahrain
• Academic or professional qualifications for the position

Process and Timing

The Bahrain Labor Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) processes and issues all visas before international workers arrive in the country. Bahrain typically processes work visa applications in around five business days, but delays can occur, taking up to two weeks.

Once the work visa is approved, the employer prints out the work permit, which is renewable and valid for the length of the employee's contract (one or two years).

Residency Permits

In addition to a work visa, those taking up employment in Bahrain will need a residency permit. This should be granted to the employer when the work permit is approved. Once the employee is in the country, the employer will print the residency permit via the Bahrain National Portal.

CPR Card

All expats in Bahrain will need to acquire a CPR card, which serves as a local identity card. The application for the card can be done online.

Job search websites

Bahrain is an island country located in the Persian Gulf with the fastest-growing economy in the Arab world. The country's economy is largely based on petroleum, but it also exports aluminium and other construction materials. The demand for jobs in Bahrain is high, and there are plenty of job opportunities for both locals and foreigners.

General Job Search Engines and Classifieds

• Gulf Talent: One of the biggest and most popular job platforms for job seekers in the Gulf Region, with access to over 10 million job seekers.
• Bayt: This website uses AI technology to help screen candidates and find the right matches. It offers access to a database of over 40 million CVs.
• Learn 4 Good: This site tends to be geared towards teaching opportunities but also has vacancies in other sectors.
• Monster Gulf: A trusted recruiting site worldwide, featuring jobs in various sectors, including tech.
• Expatriates: Check out the classifieds on this website.
• Career Jet: A well-known job search engine with options for Bahrain.
• Indeed: The Bahrain version of the large US job search site, Indeed.com. It offers free and paid advertising options and is one of the most popular job search platforms globally.
• Naukri: Chock-full of job postings, with free and paid options for employers.
• NaukriGulf: Offers advanced targeting features to help employers reach the best matches. It caters to job seekers of all levels, including management and executive positions.
• GrabJobs: A fast-growing international job board that provides employers with tools to reach audiences in Bahrain and evaluate candidates. It also offers applicant tracking and candidate screening tools.

Overseas and Expat Job Portals:

• EFinancialCareers: A search engine for finance jobs, with limited options for Bahrain.
• Overseas Jobs: This site has been around for a while and often has overlapping postings with other sites.
• Go Abroad: A good job portal with information on visas and global embassies.
• LinkedIn: A huge professional social network for building contacts and networking.

Teaching Jobs:

If you are a native English speaker, teaching English could be an option. Here are some websites to explore:

• ESL Employment
• Total ESL
• ESL Cafe
• Tesall
• Footprints Recruiting

In-demand industries

Bahrain has the fastest-growing economy in the Arab world, with a diverse range of industries contributing to its growth. Here is a breakdown of the in-demand industries in Bahrain:

Oil and Gas Industry

The oil and gas industry is the biggest and most important sector in Bahrain, with petroleum being the country's most exported product. This industry accounts for 11% of Bahrain's GDP and 70%-86% of government revenue. The Abu Safa offshore oilfield, owned by Saudi Aramco, contributes 80% of the income from this sector, while the remaining 20% comes from the Awali oilfield.section

Banking and Financial Services

Bahrain has one of the most sophisticated banking industries in the Arab world, serving as a hub for Islamic finance and banking in the Persian Gulf region. The banking sector contributes over 25% of the country's GDP and employs approximately 14,000 people. The success of this sector is closely tied to the regional boom driven by the demand for oil.

Aluminium Industry

Aluminium is Bahrain's second-most exported product after petroleum. This industry has an estimated investment of $5.2 billion, a workforce of 12,184, and an export value of $1.7 billion, contributing 12% to the country's GDP. Bahrain Aluminium (Alba) is a significant player in this sector and is one of the largest aluminium smelters in the world.

Tourism

The tourism sector has been a significant source of income for Bahrain, contributing approximately $142 million, which accounts for 75% of the country's Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Bahrain has been actively working to increase overseas visitors and improve its tourism offerings to boost this sector further.

Heavy Industries and Construction

Bahrain has been investing in heavy industries and construction, with construction materials being another important export for the country. The country has also been focusing on infrastructure development, with modern transportation and telecommunications networks.

Hospitality

The hospitality industry in Bahrain offers job opportunities for foreigners, particularly those with experience in hotels or related fields. This sector is expected to grow as Bahrain continues to attract visitors and international businesses.

With its diverse and growing economy, Bahrain presents a range of in-demand industries that offer job opportunities for locals and foreigners alike.

Business etiquette

Bahrain's economy is growing faster than any other Arab country, with a booming banking and financial sector, and a petroleum-based economy. This has led to a huge demand for jobs in the country.

If you are looking to work in Bahrain, there are some key points of business etiquette to be aware of.

Relationships and Communication

Bahrainis like to do business with people they have a personal relationship with. They will spend a lot of time getting to know you and building a relationship, so you must be patient. This is a small community, so your behaviour will quickly become public knowledge.

Communication Style

Communication is formal and follows a hierarchical structure. Always show deference to the most senior person in the group. Bahrainis are non-confrontational and tend to be indirect communicators. They will rarely say a straight 'no' to a proposition, so you must listen carefully. If they say 'leave it with me' or 'I'll think about it', it is likely a polite rejection.

Meetings and Negotiations

Arrive at meetings promptly, and expect a prolonged discussion about health and family before getting down to business. Meetings are not usually private, so don't be surprised if others enter the room and start a separate conversation. Be prepared to repeatedly refocus the conversation.

Good personal relationships are important, as trust is required to conduct business. Decisions are made slowly and by the highest-ranking person, so don't try to rush things.

Dress Code

Business attire is conservative. Men should wear lightweight, good-quality, conservative suits, and women should avoid giving offence by wearing extremely conservative clothing.

Greeting People

When greeting people, always greet the most senior person first. It is important to use someone's full name and title when addressing them. You may impress your colleagues by greeting them with "As-salaam-alaykum", to which the reply is "Wa-alaykum-salaam".

Refreshments

Always accept refreshments that are offered to you, and only use your right hand, even if you are left-handed.

Frequently asked questions