2. Living in UAE
In order to work in the Emirates you must have a valid employment visa and to live (rent a property, open bank
accounts, buy cars) you must have a valid residency visa. The company that you work for will arrange for your visas to
be processed and will inform you of any further paperwork that is required . Read more….
Visas
In order to work in the Emirates you must have a valid
employment visa and to live (rent a property, open bank
accounts, buy cars) you must have a valid residency visa.
The company that you work for will arrange for your
visas to be processed and will inform you of any further
paperwork that is required.
Once in Dubai, there may occasionally be a
requirement for you to leave the country and
return in order to ‘activate' or renew your visa.
Your company will inform you whether this is necessary.
Visa rules and regulations are prone to change by the
government, however your company should keep you
updated of any further requirements. The visa charges
for employees are almost always paid for by your
employer however sometimes that cost is clawed back if
you leave before a certain period of time - under six
months for example.
3. Banks
Many international and local banks are represented in Dubai. You will be able to
open a bank account when you first arrive, although you will not be able to use
all the facilities – notably cheque books - until you have a residency visa.
You will be able to get a credit card, however.
Cheques are important in Dubai - you will need to deposit cheques with your
landlord when you take your tenancy, and leave tens of cheques when you buy
a car - if you take a loan.
Usually your company will have a preferred bank which should be willing to
offer services such as car and housing loans and will be more helpful when it
comes to opening your account and administering the paperwork. Choosing a
bank will depend on your personal needs.
Travel within Dubai
The only way to travel within the emirates is by car. Taxis are relatively cheap
and easy to find.
Major hire car companies are represented in Dubai with the most economical
car costing approximately Dhs.1500 per month (approximately £250). You are
able to drive a hire car in the Emirates using some international licenses.
Buying & running a car
Buying a car in Dubai is relatively simple. You must hold a residency visa and
you may need finance. The car must be insured and registered. This can be
taken care of by the agency you are buying the car from, but it is worth
shopping around for the best interest rates and lowest insurance premiums.
4. Finance
The finance can be taken between 1 and 4 years. Interest is worked out yearly, and most often
offered on a "flat rate" as follows:-
A car costing Dhs.50,000 over 4 years will cost 50,000 x say 5% interest = 50,000 x 5% = 2,500 = 2,500
x 4 years = 10,000 = 50,000 + 10,000 / 48 months= Dhs.1,250 per month
Payment to the lender may be done by direct debit but more commonly it involves writing out the
appropriate number of cheques, i.e. finance over 48 months could mean writing and signing 48 post-
dated cheques.
Driving Licence
In order to drive anything other than a hire car you must have a valid UAE driving license. Holders of valid British
(and some other) driving licenses can obtain a UAE license without an additional test. As soon as your residency visa
is completed, it is illegal for you to drive in the UAE on anything other than a valid UAE license.
Companies often assist new employees obtaining the license although it will require your presence at the traffic
police HQ for a few hours.
The form must be typed in Arabic. You will also need to pass an eye test (cost approx. Dhs.25) which is available
from most opticians or can be done at the Dubai Traffic Department when applying for the licence.
If you do not hold a relevant international license you will be required to take a series of lessons and then a test.
This can take a period of several months. The UAE driving license is valid for 10 years. It is the responsibility of the
employee to ensure your license is valid.
5. Paperwork required: Valid residence visa, existing driving license, application form, passport copy and
original and eye test certificate.
Cost: For transfer from UK to UAE license approx. Dhs.150.
Insurance
Look out for all the usual catches. If you are buying a 4-wheel drive, for example, ensure that the car is insured offroad
and in Oman. The insurance usually covers the car, regardless of the driver as long as he/she has a valid UAE license. Get
full advice and details from your insurance agents.
Paperwork required: UAE driving license, passport copy and existing registration.
Cost: Approx. 4 - 6% of vehicle value
Registering your car
This can be taken care of when you first buy your car, but has to be renewed every year. You will need to have any driving
fines paid in full before renewing the registration (see below). There is a charge for vehicle registration.
Paper work required: License, existing registration and insurance. It has to be fully insured before registering.
Cost: Approx. Dhs.360
Driving offences
It is essential that you obey and respect the laws of the UAE. Apart from the police patrols and checkpoints that it is possible to be stopped at,
there are a number of speed cameras around the Emirates. These will take a picture of a speeding car and the driver will incur a fine.
Occasionally this is sent to you but more often then not, the first you will hear about it is when you come to re-register your car - It has been
known for the number and amount of fines to come as an unpleasant surprise.
Different emirates have different levels of fines and the fine often has to be paid in the Emirate in which the offence was committed (i.e. you will
need to drive back to Fujairah to pay a for an offence committed there). You can keep yourself aware and pay the fines regularly by calling an
automated system.
6. Hospitals & Medical facilities
Hospitals in the Emirates can vary in quality although the level of facilities in both public and private hospitals is high. Should you
require regular treatment from a specialist you should ensure that there are trained staff and medical centres before you arrive.
7. Alcohol licence
Although alcohol can be bought and consumed in the majority of the Emirates,
it should be remembered that, as an Islamic country, the UAE has strict alcohol
sale and consumption laws.
You are allowed to drink in licensed bars and restaurants as long as you are not a
Muslim.
It is illegal to buy, transport or keep at home alcohol without an alcohol license.
It is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol.
Non-Muslim residents in possession of a liquor license can only buy alcohol in the UAE from special
licensed retail outlets. The license entitles you to purchase a prescribed amount of alcohol per month and
can only be used in other emirates to that in which it has been issued, if the police of the other emirate(s)
has endorsed it.
Sharjah does not permit the sale or purchase of alcohol within its borders.
Paperwork required: Passport - original, passport - copy, employment contract - copy, 3 passport
photographs, Tenancy contract - original
Cost: Approx. Dhs.250.
You must: Be a resident and have a monthly salary exceeding Dhs.4,000. Allow approx. 4 weeks for
completion.
8. Living in Qatar can be a
wonderful experience, thanks to
the well maintained streets and
locals of the Arabian peninsula.
Qatar is making a huge amount of
profit in the oil and refineries
which is also a major reason
which is why the country is able
to spend so much on its big
events and improvements for its
residents. Qatar Living can be real
fun as the country hosts a wide
range of sports events like Tennis,
Golf, Squash, Motorcycle racing,
Powerboat racing, Athletics,
Football and Sailing, in which the
residents are allowed a free entry!
Read more….
9. Living in Qatar is made easy and relaxing due to the liberal
Islamic regime which dos not produce hindrance to the
restaurants and nightclubs in the country. Housing
facilities are however suffering a bit at this moment due to
the shortage in the property and a corresponding heavy
workforce. This is also one of the main reasons why most of
the job opportunities in Qatar are accompanied by a
lodging facility. Housing facility is an important aspect of
Qatar Life and is usually accompanied with personal
swimming pools and secured compound areas.
Doha, the capital city of Qatar offers excellent studying
environment in its various schools, colleges and
institutions. The schools are mostly designed in accordance
with the French, UK and US systems.
Life in Qatar will be meaningless without experiencing the
variety of options offered by Doha like Site seeing,
Shopping, Kite surfing, Sailing, Wake boarding and Fishing.
There is however no specific means of public transport in
Doha apart from the taxi services which are quite
affordable. Most of the inhabitants of Qatar own private
cars. Even the companies provide company cars or car
allowance as a part and parcel of the job package.
10. Living in Oman
The Sultanate of Oman
encompasses an area of 300,000
sq kms and is home to
approximately 2 million people.
Around 1.5 million are Omani
nationals. The remaining are
expatriates from India, Asia, other
Arab countries, Europe and USA.
The country's climate is
predominantly arid and varies
slightly from one region to
another. In the coastal areas, the
weather is hot and humid during
the summer months, while it is
dry elsewhere in the interior.
Read more….
11. Capital
Muscat
Government
Monarchy with a provisional legislature (the Majlis Ash Shura)
Head of State
His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said
Major industries
Oil, natural gas, agriculture, and fishing
Ruling body
His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said is Head of State and rules by decree. He is assisted by a cabinet of ministers, Diwan of
the Royal Court (the central body of bureaucratic affairs), and the Majlis Ash Shura, a body of representatives elected by
the populace.
Population
Approximately 2 million. Around 1.5 million are Omani nationals. The remaining are expatriates from India, Asia, other
Arab countries, Europe and USA.
Area
The Sultanate encompasses an area of 300,000 sq kms.
Airport
Seeb international airport, 40 km from Muscat city centre.
Seeb International Airport, located in Muscat, serves many international airlines such as British Airways, KLM, Kuwait
Airways, Swiss Air and Emirates. The national carrier is Oman Air, which flies to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), India,
Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, and Sri Lanka as well as performing domestic flights to Salalah, Masirah Island and Musandam.
12. Climate
The country's climate is predominantly arid and varies slightly from one region to another. In the coastal areas, the weather is
hot and humid during
the summer months, while it is dry elsewhere in the interior. Milder weather dominates the mountains and Dhofar region all
the year round. Winter
temperatures can be as low as 15°Celsius and summer temperatures can be as high as 48° Celsius in Muscat and as high as 54°
in the desert.
Dhofar, located in the southern region of the country however, enjoys a regular monsoon between June and October, every
year.
Average Temperature in Oman (in Degree Celsius) Summer Winter
Day Night Day Night
Muscat 43 C 32 C 25 C 17 C
Salalah 30 C 28 C 28 C 20 C
Best Time to visit
The best time of the year to visit Oman is between October and April, when the weather is pleasantly warm in the day and
cool in the evening. Temperature averages at 25-35 degrees centigrade during the day and dips to 17-19 degrees centigrade at
night.
13. • Religion
Islam, predominantly Ibadhi sect.
Language
Official language is Arabic. Other languages spoken include Urdu, Swahili and Baluchi. English is widely spoken and
along with Arabic is the common business language. Most Hotel staff speak German and French as well.
Culture
Like all the Arab countries, Arab Islamic Culture dominates the life style in the Sultanate. However, being an
international market, people of various other nationalities are also present.
• National Dress - Men
dishdasha (robe)
Kimah (cap)
mussar (turban)
• National Dress - Women
jallabia (dress)
sirwall (trousers)
thobe (overdress cloak)
lahaf (head shawl)
abaya (black cloak)
Women generally leave their face and hands exposed, while in the desert, women of the Bedouin tribes wear a mask,
called a "birqa."
• Working Hours
Ministries and government establishments: 7:30 am - 2:30 pm (Sat-Wed, week-end is Thursday and Friday)
Private sector companies: 8:00am - 1:00pm; 4:00pm - 7:00pm (Saturday-Wednesday) 8:00am - 1:00pm on Thursdays.
Markets: 8:00am - 1:00pm, 4:00pm - 9:00pm.
Banks: 8:00 am - 12 noon.
Timings differ during Ramadân.
Ramadân, the holy month of fasting, is the ninth month on the Arabic calendar which is a lunar calendar. Every year
Ramadân shifts back about ten days on the western solar calendar. In the year 2001 Ramadân will begin in the third
week of November. Restaurants and other eateries are closed during daylight hours during the Holy Ramadân period.
14. • Shopping hours
Shopping establishments are open from 9am to 1 pm and 4pm to 9
pm. Department stores, supermarkets and shopping complexes are
open throughout the day during Ramadân from 9am to 10
pm, with a short lunch break all through the week, except Fridays.
These timings could vary with different shops.
• History
Archaeology in Oman is still very much in its infancy. Prior to
1970, only one excavation had been sanctioned in the south of the
country. However archaeologists are currently in the process of
making exciting discoveries in the Ras Al Hadd area, with remains
dating back to the fifth millennium BC and possibly even earlier. It
is felt that from this area, perhaps for the first time anywhere in
the world, man started to embark on ocean travel. By the third
millennium BC, the harbours on the northern coast were on the
margins of the trade routes linking Mesopotamia to the Indus
Valley. This area then known as Magan was the original source of
copper to the ancient world. It supported large communities
whose only visible remains now are the plethora of hill top tombs
still easily viewed today, if one knows where to look.
It is still not known what led to the decline of this area, but one
prime suspect is environmental degradation, caused by
overpopulation and deforestation due to the need to smelt the
copper ore. Trade with Mesopotamia seems to have ended by
2,000 BC, and this isolation in the north continued for more than a
millennium until the region became incorporated into various
Persian empires.
The area in the south of modern Oman however, together with
what is now part of Yemen, became the source of most of the
world’s Frankincense. At that time this product was as valuable as
oil is today and led to the region becoming a major centre of
commerce and great wealth, until its decline after the third century
AD. (Pliny writing in the first century AD, stated that control of the
Frankincense trade made its people the richest in the world at that
time!)
15. • The Arabisation of Oman began around the first century AD, with the migration of Arab tribes from what is now Yemen to south-west
Oman. This was caused by the collapse of the Ma’rib dam, and the civilisation it had encouraged. Omanis pride themselves on being among
the earliest converts to Islam around 630 AD, and Omanis played a vital role in the spread of Islam to southern Iraq and the conquest of the
Persian Empire.
• A major theme in Omani history has been the split between the coastal and inland areas. The ancient capital was at Bahla, and by the ninth
century, this had shifted to Nizwa. However after this the capital shifted to Sohar and from then until the present, the coast has remained
politically and economically more important. After Sohar, Qalhat to the north west of Sur became the next capital and was visited by Marco
Polo. During this time, the country was torn by civil war, and control of the coastal areas passed to dynasties from Persia and later the
Portuguese who occupied the major coastal cities in 1507. At this time, Rustaq became the capital city under Omani control. (Ironically it
was an Omani navigator who helped cement Portuguese power by guiding Vasco da Gama to India from the coast of east Africa). This
power however was in decline by 1622, when Muscat was made the major base in the area, and the Portuguese were finally expelled from
the country by the Omanis in 1650. (Incidentally contrary to popular belief, the only major remaining Portuguese buildings are Mirani and
Jalali forts in Muscat. All the other forts in the country are totally or mainly of Omani origin). Four years before the expulsion of the
Portuguese in 1646, the first treaty of co-operation with the British was signed. This and subsequent treaties marked the beginning of the
special relationship between the two countries, that has continued to the present day. The Persians still remained powerful however, and
they weren’t finally expelled until 1747, by the founder of the present Al bu Said dynasty.
• During all of this time, the Imamate based inland around Jebal Akhdar controlled much of the country. During the latter part of the 18th
century, there was a rapid growth in Omani military and commercial power, which allowed it to regain and extend the control of key ports
in Persia, India, and Zanzibar that it had enjoyed several centuries earlier. Eventually by the start of the 19th century, the Omani empire had
extended to control several parts of coastal East Africa as well as Zanzibar, and whole provinces in Persia and Baluchistan in present day
Pakistan. (In fact control of the last Omani toehold in Pakistan didn’t end until 1958). The Omani empire reached its peak in the middle of
the 19th century, under Sultan Said bin Sultan, who made Zanzibar his second (and preferred capital). Dhofar was added to Oman at this
time, and Omani control extended far down the coast of East Africa to the Portuguese colony of Mozambique. On his death in 1856, the
empire was split in two, one of his sons becoming sultan of Zanzibar (this line continuing there until1963). Oman itself then went into a
period of rapid decline cut off from its most lucrative domains.
• The Sultanate of Oman is situated on the southeast corner of the Arabian Peninsula and is located between Latitudes 16° 40' and 26° 20'
North and Longitudes 51° 50' and 59° 40' East. The coastline extends 1,700 Km from the Strait of Hormuz in the north, to the borders of the
Republic of Yemen in the south and overlooks three seas: the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
• The Sultanate borders Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the West; the United Arab Emirates in the Northeast, the Republic of Yemen in the South;
the Strait of Hormuz in the North and the Arabian Sea in the East.
• The Musandam Peninsula forms the country's northern tip, and is separated from the rest of the Sultanate by United Arab Emirates' eastern
coast and includes the only coast the Sultanate has on the Arabian Gulf.
• Musandam is just over 50 Km (30 miles) south of the Islamic Republic of Iran across the Strait of Hormuz.
• The total land area is around 309,500 Km2 and it is the third largest country in the Arabian Peninsula.
16. • Topography
Oman possesses a rich diverse topography ranging from rugged mountains and rocky deepwater fjords in the
North, to the spectacular dunes of Sharqiyah (Wahiba) Sands and two large salt flats in the centre, to the lush green
hills of Dhofar region in the South, with rugged coasts and placid beaches stretching along the 1,700 Km coastline.
• The northern coastal strip along the Gulf of Oman is known as the Batinah Coast; a narrow fertile plain separated
from the rest of the country by the Hajar Mountains. The highest peak is Jabal Shams (Sun Mountain) at 3,075 m.
The southern slopes of the range are notable for their oasis towns where date groves flourish in the dry desert air.
• In the south lies the second mountain range in Oman; the Qara Mountains, which attracts the light monsoon rains
during the mid-summer months, turning them green with vegetation whose roots help delay the effects of erosion
resulting in a soft rolling landscape more akin to central Africa.
• As in the north, a narrow fertile coast plain lies between the mountains and the sea at whose centre Salalah lies,
surrounded by lush vegetable farms and coconut groves.
• Administrative Regions
The Sultanate is divided into eight administrative regions;
• 3 Governorates:
• Al-Batinah
Al-Dhahirah
Al-Dakhliyah
• 5 Regions:
Muscat
Dhofar
Musandam
Al-Sharqiyah
Al-Wusta
17. Living in Bahrain
The cost of living in Bahrain is
The lowest in the GCC, with
accommodation reasonably
priced and a wide range of
housing to suit all tastes and
lifestyles. With many housing
selections to choose from with
competitive utility rates, and
With competitive wages,
Bahrain offers the highest
quality of life for employees
and their families.
Read more….
18. • Bahrain is an Arabic word meaning "Two Seas", and refers to two facts, one
that the islands contain two sources of water, sweet water springs and salty
water in the surrounding seas, or to the south and north waters of the
gulf, separating it from the Arabian coast and Iran, respectively.
History
The island was once known as Dilmun, and was home to an ancient
civilisation that played a central trading role between the peoples of the
Indus Valley (now India) to the south and Mesopotamia (now Iraq) to the
north. Dilmun’s capital was a major port whose remains are visible today at
the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bahrain Fort (Qal’at al Bahrain).
The Kingdom also features in one of the world’s oldest and most enduring
pieces of literature – the Epic of Gilgamesh, where the island was home to
the source of eternal youth. The tale is believed to refer to the pearls from
the shallow gulf waters around Bahrain, which were one of Bahrain’s
biggest exports for generations.
In more recent years, Bahrain has been a regional pioneer and became a
specialist business centre. The Kingdom has a whole series of Gulf ‘firsts’
under its belt - from discovering oil, to diversifying the economy, to
providing education for both males and females from the 1920s onwards, to
becoming the first democracy with universal suffrage in the region
19. • Key facts
• Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands in the Arabian Gulf midway between the Qatar peninsula and
Saudi Arabia. Bahrain Island is a pear-shaped land mass 48 km. long and 16 km. wide.
• Bahrain is connected to Saudi Arabia by 23-km causeway, which opened in November 1986
• Capital: Manama
• Total Land Area: Bahrain has a total area of 770 sq km
• Climate: hot summers, pleasant winters
• Bahrain Time Difference: GMT + 3 (Winter)/GMT + 2 (Summer)
• Governorates: Bahrain is divided into five governorates; Capital, Central, Muharraq, Northern, Southern
• Total Population: 1,039,297
• Official Languages: The official language is Arabic. English is very widely spoken and is the principal
language of commerce.
• Country dialing code: 973
• Education: State (203) and private (56). There is a choice of Bahraini, British, American, and Lebanese
curricula in private schools
• Healthcare: 18 hospitals and 293 private clinics
• Electricity: 240 volts (3 pin plugs)
• Local Media: There are 8 daily newspapers, 2 of which are in English; Bahrain Television transmits local
and international news, current affairs, documentaries, educational programmes, as well as
entertainment series and films. Bahrain TV also runs Channel 55, which broadcasts in English
• Government
• Parliament: Bahrain has a bicameral legislature with a lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, elected
by universal suffrage and the upper house, the Shura Council, appointed by the King. Both houses have
forty members. The inaugural elections were held in 2002, with parliamentarians serving four year
terms
• Membership: Bahrain is a member of the UN, Arab League, Gulf Co-operation Council and the
Organization of the Islamic Conference
20. • Currency and taxation
• There are no Exchange Controls on the movement of monies
• Bahrain's currency is the Bahrain Dinar (BD), which is pegged
to the US Dollar.
• Bahrain has the lowest corporate and personal taxes in the
GCC with:
• - No capital gains tax and no withholding tax.
- No personal income tax
- No tax on capital gains
- No withholding tax
- No restriction on repatriation of capital, profits or dividends
- Few indirect taxes (e.g. 10% municipal tax on rents)
•
Transportation & Logistics
• Bahrain has an excellent road network with causeway
connections to Muharraq and Sitra islands and to Saudi
Arabia. A road link is also planned between Bahrain and
Qatar - construction is due to complete in 2013.
• Bahrain International Airport in Muharraq is one of the
busiest airports in the Middle East with the most connections
to the rest of the region. It is used by most major
international airlines.
• Steamers run scheduled service from Bahrain to other Gulf
ports and to Pakistan and India Bahrain has the shortest travel
time between its seaport, airport and the logistics processing
zone of anywhere in the Gulf enabling more efficient and
faster processing of trade goods. Bahrain also offers the
lowest costs and best value for money when it comes to
operating costs.
• International cargo carrier DHL has exploited Bahrain’s
strategic location since 1978 basing its Middle East hub in
Manama. The Airport is DHL's regional distribution centre for
Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
21. • Current requirements to live and work in Bahrain
Anyone wishing to live and legally work in Bahrain will need to apply for the following visas and permits. Employers
are advised to arrange and process necessary documents to the Labour Market Regulatory Authority prior to the
arrival of their employees and dependents.
Work Visa. Submitted to and issued by Labour Market Regulatory Authority. Requirements:
Visa application form
• Employee’s passport
• Passport size photograph
• Sponsorship Letter: a letter of employment indicating employer’s name/organization, commercial registration
number, employee’s capacity, salary, contract duration, employee’s name, birth date and nationality
• Copy of the contract
• Health record from an authorised clinic
• BD 200 fee (for 2 years) and BD 10 payable monthly per registered employee
•
• Residency Permit (Family Visa), Submitted to Labour Market Regulatory Authority and issued by General Department
for Nationality & Passport Residence. Requirements:
• Application form
• Employee & family’s passport copies
• Employee’s sponsorship letter
• Employee’s contract
• Family health record from an authorised clinic
• BD 90 fee per applicant
• CPR Card (Identification Card). Submitted to and issued by Central Informatics Organization. Requirements:
• Employee (or spouse) passport
• Sponsorship letter stating names of dependents
• Marriage certificate (for spouse) and birth certificate (for children)
• Free of charge
22. • Where to Live:
• Adliya
Adliya is a bohemian neighborhood in Bahrain. Very multicultural and always
busy, Adliya is a residential, commercial and a cultural spot in Bahrain. Young
families, expatriates and young Bahrainis reside in either villas or apartments in
Adliya. Cafes, retail stores, boutiques and galleries are scattered throughout the
neighborhood. The heart of the neighborhood, recently refurbished to include a
pedestrian square, has old town houses that have been converted into chick
international restaurants, cafes, bakeries and art galleries.
Amwaj Islands
Amwaj Islands is a group of man made islands purposely built as a residential
gated community located in the northeast of Bahrain, near the coast of
Muharraq. Overlooking the sea and man-made lagoons, the community offers
100% freehold land ownership of villas and apartments to expatriates living in
the Kingdom of Bahrain. The island contains residential, commercial, service
apartments and retail spaces, as well as a marina. Amwaj is a true community
with facilities that include a private school, a hospital, a fuel station, a fitness
centre and a lagoon side dinning and cafe district.
Juffair
Juffair is a neighborhood located in Manama. The area was reclaimed since the
1970s, but today is bustling with many hotels, furnished apartments, restaurants
and villas, mainly attracting single expatriates and young urban Bahrainis.
The offices of the Central Informatics Organization, Bahrain Society of Engineers,
and the Bahrain Tribune newspaper are all located in Juffair. The Bahrain School,
an American school following an American curriculum and associated with the
United States Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), and Modern
Knowledge School are both located in Juffair.
A new commercial strip in Juffair has now become a very because of its
restaurant and retail outlets such as McDonalds, Chilli’s, Nando’s, Dairy Queen
and Starbucks. There is a large supermarket and Post Office located in close
proximity.
Saar
Saar is a suburb of Bahrain, alongside a village located northwest of the island.
The area is typically inhabited by affluent families, ambassadors and expatriates
residing in compounds, large villas or gated communities. Originally a farm land,
Saar is greener than urban residential areas in Bahrain with less traffic
movement in its neighbourhoods
•
23. • Cost of Living
• The cost of living in Bahrain is the lowest in the GCC, with accommodation reasonably priced and a wide range of housing to
suit all tastes and lifestyles. With many housing selections to choose from with competitive utility rates, and with competitive
wages, Bahrain offers the highest quality of life for employees and their families.
The breakdown below is an indicator of basic living costs in Bahrain, including rent, utilities, school fees and transportation.
Rent
1 bedroom furnished apartment (high end): BD 1000 (US $2660)
1 bedroom furnished apartment (medium): BD 400 (US $1065)
3 bedroom furnished apartment (medium): BD 650 (US $1730)
3 bedroom villa, no pool, with garage (medium): BD 800 (US $2130)
5 bedroom villa with pool, parking (medium): BD 1,200 (US $3191)
4 bedroom villa with pool, parking (high end): BD 2000 (US $5320)
3 bedroom villa with parking (medium): BD 1,500 (US $3990)
3 bedroom villa in a gated community (medium): BD 750-950 (US $2000-2500)
Utility Bills
Apartments: Utility Bills are typically included in monthly rent of apartments.
4 bedroom villa utility bill: BD25 (US $66), BD 30-40 (US $80-106) in the summer
Meals
Average casual lunchtime meal: BD 3 (US $8)
McDonald’s Big Mac: BD 1 (US $3)
McDonald’s Big Mac Meal: BD 1.5 (US $4)
Gas
BD 5 per week-BD 20/month) (US $13 per week-$53/month)
Groceries
Small Family (3 people): BD 160 (US $425)
Large Family (5 people): BD 200 (US $531)
1 person: BD 100 (US $265)
Movie Ticket
BD 3 (8)
Schools (Annual)
Private School: BD 2,500 (US $6,700)
International Private School: BD 8000 (US $21,300)
Nursery/Child Care: BD 1,500 (US $4000)
• Cab Fare
Manama to Airport: BD 4 (US $11)
• Bahrain has a heritage of learning and education. We were the first state in the Gulf to provide education for both males and
females back in the 1920s.
You have a choice of over 30 schools for your children. Schools St Christopher’s School, and the British School of Bahrain
which are based on the British curriculum; Bahrain Bayan School and the Bahrain School which is associated with the United
States Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA); the Ecole Francaise; the New Indian School; and the Japanese
School of Bahrain, a Nihonjin Gakko school which offers the same curriculum as public schools in Japan. All these schools
enroll children from K1 up to highschool.
Universitites, training and vocational institutes are also plentiful, and have been expanding due to the recent education
reforms. The University of Bahrain, New York Institute of Technology and the Bahrain Polytechnic are just a few examples of
higher education options available in Bahrain.
