Getting money out of Bahrain – what are your options?

Getting money out of Bahrain as an expat – that will be the topic of today’s article.

Nothing written here should be considered as financial advice, nor a solicitation to invest. 

For any questions, or if you are looking to invest as an expat, you can contact me using this form, or via advice@adamfayed.com 

It is usually better to “kill two birds with one stone” and invest as an expat, rather than send money home to buy shares or a house.

Introduction

Bahrain, the full official form is the Kingdom of Bahrain (Arabic – Mamlaka al-Bahrain) – an island state on the archipelago of the same name in the Persian Gulf in Southwest Asia, the smallest Arab state. Bahrain occupies three relatively large and many small islands 16 km east of the coast of Saudi Arabia and is connected to this country by a road bridge.

Bahrain is an island state in the archipelago of the same name, consisting of 32 islands located in the Persian Gulf off the coast of the Arabian Peninsula. The islands are about 24 km from Saudi Arabia and 28 km from Qatar.

The total area of ​​the islands included in the archipelago is 780 km2, which is slightly larger than the area of ​​Singapore (715 km2). The area of ​​the largest island of the same name in the state is 590 square meters. km, about three-quarters of the entire area of ​​the state. The island is stretched from north to south for 48 km, and in the widest, northern part, for 6 km from west to east.

Life in Bahrain is especially exotic. The Kingdom of Bahrain is the smallest island state in the Persian Gulf in southwest Asia. The capital of the state is Manama. The kingdom is connected to Saudi Arabia by a road bridge. Most of the country is occupied by a desert plain.

If you’re considering moving to Bahrain, we’ll try to take a look at a number of important considerations, such as the cost of living and the challenges that international relocation often poses. With proper preparation and attention to detail, they can be avoided.

What you should know when moving to Bahrain?

It’s no secret that the sharp drop in oil prices has led Bahrain to focus on the tourism industry and curb the flow of emigrants perceptibly. Alas, this was due to the need to deal with terrible unemployment.

Bahrain’s daily life has been hit hard by the results of the Arab Spring. Rallies, protests, and riots can be observed to this day, so emigrants should be especially careful and prudent in crowded places. Visitors are advised to listen carefully to the news and observe state security measures.

Do not live in the past and gradually get used to the current state of affairs. Bahrain has ceased to be the most liberal state in the entire Persian Gulf. The country will require great patience, skill, and readiness for unexpected turns from the emigrant. Regardless of where you are moving from, Bahrain will certainly surprise you with its culture and mentality.

Looking at the history of this trading nation, it can be seen that emigrants from all over the world flocked to the former British colony for centuries. The unemployment rate and the impressive flow of emigrants have led to the fact that the country’s leadership has repeatedly had to take tough measures to reduce jobs and increase tax rates for visitors.

Given the limited reserves of minerals, the state resorted to oil refining activities based on the import of crude oil. Over time, Bahrain acquired the status of one of the Middle East financial epicenters, thereby pushing Beirut off the pedestal.

It is noteworthy that the emergence of new prospects and financial opportunities did not protect Bahrain from a sharp decline and unrest. Evidence of this is the uprising in Bahrain, which thundered all over the world in 2011.

The basis for moving safely and quickly is well prepared. In order to move to Bahrain, you should think about employment in advance, take care of knowing at least English to start working in the service sector. Visa processing is carried out at the Bahrain Embassy and does not take much time.

Reasons to move to Bahrain

Bahrain is the most desirable country in the world for different nationalities due to the coexistence of people in an atmosphere of security and tranquility, which makes the Kingdom an incubator for all.

If you are still thinking about making the decision to move and live in Bahrain in the future, we will provide you with some help to help you solve this problem by showing you undeniably good reasons for you to live in the pearl of the Persian Gulf.

Housing in Bahrain

Let’s start with the most basic human need, namely housing. Housing options in the Kingdom of Bahrain are varied, varied, and generally affordable to meet the needs of all social classes.

The prices for renting apartments in the Kingdom of Bahrain are among the cheapest among all other states of the Persian Gulf; Sale prices are good too.

In addition, the Bahraini government has opened the door for foreign real estate investors to purchase property in so-called freehold zones.

Ten years ago, the government designated a number of territories, including the islands of Durrat el-Bahrain, the islands of Amwaj, Jaffair, Sif, and other important areas, freehold ownership.

The set of real estate rules that underpin the sector is flexible and aims to ensure the rights of all contracting parties, whether owners, tenants, or investors.

Cost of living

Life in Bahrain is affordable; For additional basic expenses, check out our article on the cost of living in Bahrain.

The government subsidizes all necessary goods to make them affordable for everyone, including gas, meat, and others. The cost of basic services such as electricity, water, and the Internet is also relatively low in order to make these services affordable for everyone.

On the other hand, Bahrain is a state of art, construction work is underway throughout the kingdom to improve infrastructure, improve the quality of services offered and expand the road network.

The changes taking place in Bahrain’s real estate industry have become evident. The towers are growing side by side in the central regions, and work is underway on sea reclamation projects such as the Diyar el Muharraq Islands and similar projects.

Bahrain tops the list of countries where foreigners choose to live not only because of high wages, but also because of many other factors that positively affect people’s lives, such as lifestyle, privileged location, mild weather, and friendly people.

Many immigrants also have the opportunity to find work and work in Bahrain, in addition to being able to combine work and personal life. Numerous statistics prove that Bahrain is one of the best countries for expats to work and live in.

Also, there is no income tax system like in other countries. However, the government recently introduced a “social security tax” that is only 1% of your gross salary for 12 months of work.

Transfers through local banks

As mentioned above, one of the most popular options for sending money from one country to another is to use the services of local banks. This can be done at a bank branch or through Internet banking.

Usually, transfers from account to account are used by those citizens who constantly make transfers or payments abroad. For such a transfer, you need to open a bank account. It is opened at the nearest bank branch, as a rule, free of charge or for a small amount. The transfer can be made at the branch of the credit institution. For this you need:

• indicate the name of the beneficiary bank and its address;
• indicate the full name and account details of the recipient;
• indicate the full name and account details of the sender;
• specify the transfer amount and currency.

The amount is usually credited to the recipient’s account within one to five business days. If currency conversion is required, a commission will be charged for this operation (as a result, the addressee may receive a smaller amount). But this option is expensive, and no one will use it unless of course there is an urgent case.

When transferring from an account to a card, the procedure remains the same, however, when making a payment, you must specify the card account details of the bank card.

The algorithm for transferring from a card to an account is similar. The only difference is that instead of the card number, you must specify the account details. The transfer operation itself can be performed in several ways:

• At a bank branch. You can also transfer money abroad with the help of a cashier at a bank branch.

To do this, you must have with you:

• the passport;
• details of your account (or card) and the account (or card) of the recipient.

Before the procedure for sending funds, it is necessary to replenish the account, as well as inform the bank employee of the details of the payee. The specialist will fill out forms that will need to be signed.

When transferring at a bank branch, you need to immediately clarify the issue of the commission. In some banks, it must be paid separately and in advance, while in others it can be deducted from the transfer amount. Receipt of money to the recipient occurs within one to five business days.

• Through internet banking. This procedure is convenient because money transfers abroad can be made without leaving home. To do this, for a small fee, you need to activate the Internet banking service and check on the hotline of a credit organization about the possibility of transferring money abroad.

Yes, it is definitely a good option to get money out of Bahrain, but sometimes it can take time to request the recipient’s bank details, and usually, people are looking for an easier and faster way to send money. In this case, let’s try to learn about bank transfers.

Wire transfers

To determine the best provider for your needs when getting money out of Bahrain, the first thing to consider is the current TWD – the country’s exchange rate, the time it takes for the funds to be delivered, and the level of commission you will pay when transferring.

If you are looking for the best combination of price, speed, and reliability, use the online transfer service when you want to transfer your money from/to Bahrain.

There are many reasons why people send money online and it’s important to make sure you’re getting a lot. Perhaps you want to send money to your family living abroad, or you need to make a payment to a company in Bahrain quickly and easily, but regardless of the reason you are transferring funds, you should always compare money transfer providers.

Before making a transfer to another country, you should consider how quickly you need the money to get to Bahrain and how much you are willing to pay.

As a general rule, when transferring the money from/to Bahrain, consider the following:

• Size of your transfer
• The payment method you are going to use
• Recipient withdrawal method
• Transfer submission time
• Money transfer provider you use

Online money transfer companies tend to provide the fastest way to get your money out of Bahrain, especially those that use a P2P system where senders and recipients are matched in real-time. There are many online money transfer companies offering their services, you can search, compare them, read reviews from previous clients and then choose the company you want to use for your future transfers.

Before getting the amount out of Bahrain to your desired country, you should consider the following:

• The amount you want to transfer: It is likely that the more money you send, the more value you will receive. This is because any fixed fee is a smaller percentage of the transfer amount, and also because many providers allow you to negotiate better exchange rate margins when sending larger amounts.
• Exchange rate margin: Money transfer providers charge a small percentage above the average market exchange rate to generate revenue. Make sure you find the provider with the lowest margin so that your money reaches the intended recipient.
• Hidden fees and charges. Before sending money, make sure the provider you are using does not charge any hidden fees. Our reviews and comparisons will tell you exactly how much you will pay for each provider.
• Discounts and offers. Different companies offer different perks when sending money online, so it’s a good idea to take a quick look through them and see if any companies have any particularly attractive deals.

World Remit

Let’s talk about another international money transfer provider that is quite popular. One such organization that claims to offer the “best way to send money” abroad is World Remit. The platform allows you to send money abroad with the click of a button through your bank account. In some cases, you can even use your debit or credit card.

If you are thinking about using World Remit for international money transfers, we recommend reading our detailed review. Let’s start learning everything from how the platform works, fees, payment methods, transfer times, and more.

Since its inception in 2010, World Remit has served over 4 million customers in over 90 different currencies. According to the World Remit specialists themselves, 90% of the international transfers they make are completed within a few minutes.

Moreover, 70% of mobile transfers have an average transaction processing time of only 3 minutes. World Remit makes transfers much faster than traditional bank transfers or ordinary bank transfers.

World Remit has an extensive banking network in many countries. This not only leads to fast transfers but is also cheaper due to the work in several currencies. This is because, unlike traditional money transfer providers, World Remit partners already own the currency in which you wish to make the transaction.

When it comes to paying for a transfer, you have several options. If you choose bank transfer, you will need to transfer funds directly to certain account details provided by World Remit. They then send the cash to the recipient through an international network of partner banks.

Alternatively, you can also pay for the transfer using a debit or credit card, or even a prepaid card. If that’s not enough, World Remit also accepts Apple Pay, Android Pay, and Sofort.

World Remit also operates in Bahrain and you will be presented with all the necessary information related to your transfer before making a payment. This will include the transfer fee, exchange rate, and estimated transfer time. The rates offered to you are only valid for 24 hours, so you need to make sure you transfer funds within this period. So, now you know how the World Remit payment system works.

There are millions of ways to get money out of Bahrain, wherever you are. There are different durations, the recipient can receive money in 3 minutes or 5 days, and it’s up to you to decide. You can use your local bank, send money from your nearest branch or from your phone, you can use online wallets, money transfers and of course the best international money transfers like Money Gram,  Wise or World Remit.

Wise

Another provider that is reliable and safe is the former TransferWise. This is an international money transfer system through which you can send money at the rate of your currency, and the recipient will receive the amount at the rate of the currency of his country. And definitely one of the most convenient ways to send money anywhere on this planet, this service is called Wise. This will help you transfer money, find a suitable exchange rate and not lose a lot of money, as you do when using other banks or transfers.

Wise, unlike many of its competitors, gives you crystal clear information about how much fees you pay before transferring. Money transfer companies can often try to hide fees and exchange rates from the user, giving Wise a breath of fresh air. Wise offers accounts for both regular users sending messages to others and business accounts with additional features.

If you frequently travel abroad or receive payments in foreign currencies, be sure to check your Wise Borderless account to make sure it suits your needs.

As long as you’re sending the local currency, the Wise fee remains the same no matter what country you’re sending from. Fees are determined as follows:

• Quantity. The more money you send, the higher your commission will be. This is because commissions are based on a predetermined percentage. Each currency has its own percentage.
• Payment method. You can pay with a bank account, bank transfer, debit or credit card – each uses a different fee depending on the amount you send, but the percentage will generally be the same no matter how much you send.
• Location. The same fee table should be used for transfers from different locations, but this may change if you are traveling abroad and sending money from other countries.

Wise offers you 6 easy steps:

• Register for free. Register online or in their app for free. All you need is an email address or a Google or Facebook account.
• Select the amount to send. Enter the amount you want to send. They will show you their fees in advance and tell you when your money is due.
• Add the recipient’s bank details. Fill in the recipient’s bank account details. If you don’t know their details, the service may request them for you.
• Verify your identity. Some currencies or large transfers require a photo of your ID. This helps keep your money safe.
• Pay for the transfer. Send money by bank transfer, debit or credit card.
• That’s all. They’ll take care of the rest. You can track your transfer in your account and the company will notify your recipient that it will arrive.

How long does Wise money transfer take?

Wise transfer speed depends on how much you are willing to pay and when you send the transfer.

The fastest option is instant. If you use a credit or debit card, you will pay more fees, but your money can be transferred directly to the recipient’s bank account. Your credit card may be charged an additional cash withdrawal fee, which will further increase the cost of your transfer.

The cheapest option is up to four business days. Making an ACH payment through your bank account to pay for a transfer is usually the cheapest way to send money through Wise, but is almost always the slowest. Wise usually receives the money within two days and another two days to transfer the funds to the recipient’s bank account.

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Adam is an internationally recognised author on financial matters, with over 376.8 million answers views on Quora.com and a widely sold book on Amazon