Hoping to move to Bahrain soon, does this sound realistic?

Member since 31 March 2014

steamsmyclamsMember31 March 2014 19:12:52

Hi everyone. I'm new here, so I'l introduce myself first. I'm currently living in the UK, but hoping to move out to Bahrain in the next couple of months. My OH currently lives and works there, and it looks to be a more permanent move for him, so trying to get myself out there. (Hes been out there for nearly a year.) I myself have been out there 3 times now and know it's somewhere where I'll be able to live.

A little history - since the beginning of the year, I've been looking for a job in Bahrain. I'm a web designer/email marketing specialist. I signed up to countless job sites, trawled through LinkedIn for companies based in Bahrain, emailed as many agencies as I could find. Since then, I've got the odd email back here or there telling me they'd let me know if anything comes up, a couple of promises of Skype interviews, but nothing ever comes out of it, no matter how many times I try and follow up.

So after a lot of thought, we've thought of a plan B. Plan B will be me working remotely with my current London based company, from Bahrain. I know I'll be on a tourist visa for 3 months. My hopes would be to find something Bahrain based within those three months. If I don't, I make a trip to Dubai, or back to London, and come back into the country (Terribly awful idea there?).

If I still can't find anything, I'd try and get back into contracting/freelancing. I did that for just over a year in the UK. It was okay. I'm guessing, as Bahrain is tax free, I wouldn't have to set up a company or anything to work as a freelancer in Bahrain?

Obviously, at the moment, the current hurdle is whether my current employer will let me work remotely. Hopefully, they won't have an issue with it. But how does everything else here sound? Does anyone have any advice? Does anything what I've said set off any warning signs for anyone?

Thanks so much!

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Philchan Member

Member since 17 February 2014

PhilchanMember01 April 2014 08:59:15

Hi there! im phil, well in your case if you will apply online they might recognize your CV and have an Interview , here in bahrain it is not that hard to find a job ,

brightonguy ViP

Member since 18 June 2012

brightonguyViP01 April 2014 09:53:19

1591

I don't think there is anything wrong in what you are planning to do. You can come and stay here for 3 months and then extend your stay for further 3 months without leaving the country, or simply take a trip to Qatar or Dubai and come back as you.

If you are married to your other half, then his company should be able to sponsor you so you get a dependent visa.

silver356 Contributor

Member since 09 November 2012

silver356Contributor01 April 2014 10:04:47

135

Welcome Steamsmyclams! Love your username! I think your plan sounds good. Not sure how the contracting/freelancing industry here compares to London but it's not as popular as in other countries. It would be great if your current company would let you work remotely - at least initially - and then later they may need to open a branch in Bahrain!

jaslitk Active member

Member since 24 March 2014

jaslitkActive member01 April 2014 12:43:56

good idea, and once you reached you can try to get marry here and can change your tourist visa to depended visa.
after that you can work as a freelancer.

steamsmyclams Member

Member since 31 March 2014

steamsmyclamsMember01 April 2014 20:28:43

Hi everyone! Thank you so much for the warm welcome!

@Philchan I'm hoping that might be the case. Will only find out.

@brightonguy I didn't know I could just extend my tourist visa. How does that work? Not married (it's a little further down the line ) But with a dependent visa, would I still be able to work in Bahrain?

@silver356 Thanks, username is from one of my favourite TV shows/comics, The Middleman. Hmm, I was wondering whether the freelance/contract market was all that buoyant in Bahrain. It's always a little bit all over the place in London (beginning of summer/beginning of the year is "high season", mostly). Similar in Bahrain, or is it generally not as "popular" over there?

@jaslitk Thanks for the info

Approached my direct manager about working remotely. Good news is is that she didn't have a problem. However... it has to go one level up. Fingers crossed that level up says it's okay too, then I'll be well on my way!

scottrace Serial expat

Member since 05 March 2013

scottraceSerial expat02 April 2014 05:07:01

283

Good luck and I hope your Senior Management agree. I tried it with mine before I moved from the UK and they refused

Just being married does not give you a right to work here. You will need sponsorship from your employer to make it all above board but of course there are many "working" "freelance" with no such sponsorship

Good luck with your move.

steamsmyclams Member

Member since 31 March 2014

steamsmyclamsMember03 April 2014 19:06:37

Cheers @scottrace - Still waiting to hear back from the higher ups. The waiting is killing me! Though I'm hoping, that as there's some waiting involved, some thought is getting put into this.

steamsmyclams Member

Member since 31 March 2014

steamsmyclamsMember07 April 2014 20:16:35

Good news - my employers have agreed to me working remotely from Bahrain! So I'll be heading over next month

Philchan Member

Member since 17 February 2014

PhilchanMember08 April 2014 02:35:17

#10

Well that that's great!

brightonguy ViP

Member since 18 June 2012

brightonguyViP08 April 2014 06:40:52

#11

1591

This is great news! Looking forward to seeing you when you get to Bahrain.

Farhaz ViP

Member since 19 May 2013

FarhazViP09 April 2014 12:57:43

#12

2081

Well done! best wishes

scottrace Serial expat

Member since 05 March 2013

scottraceSerial expat10 April 2014 05:25:59

#13

283

Congratulations!

How wonderful to have a forward thinking, flexible employer. They seem like a keeper!

See you in Bahrain very soon.

stphnmrdch Member

Member since 18 December 2014

stphnmrdchMember18 December 2014 11:49:54

#14

I'm looking for some advice on a similar matter. I grew up in Bahrain, and my parents still live there, I'm 36 now, and want to move back to Bahrain to work.

I am currently employed as a programmer/software-developer in Scotland, and my parent company have a data center in Dubai, so I'm going to ask if they will consider letting me work remotely from Bahrain.

What is the deal? Would I be able to do it? Whose taxes would I have to pay?