SETTING UP AN OFFICE AND HIRING STAFF

Transcription

1 inspire. empower. connect Bahrain SETTING UP AN OFFICE AND HIRING STAFF

2 KEY SUPPLIERS Setting Up an Office HOW TO FIND OFFICE SPACE, OFFICE FURNITURE, AND SHORT-TERM BUSINESS CENTERS Bahrain s property market is likely to remain subdued for some time due to lack of financing, while oversupply in the commercial sector will see continued good value in rentals although it has been somewhat less impacted than in other countries such as Dubai. There is, then, an excessive number of commercial buildings which will take time to get occupied. Cluttons ( has specialized in the real estate sector in the regions and provides tailored solutions for companies wishing to rent office space in Bahrain. Equally, the company Coreo ( com) provides a wide range of services for companies that wish to expand to Bahrain. These services include administrative and recruitment services as well as property search. Arabian East properties ( and Bahrain Property World ( are both local letting agencies that offer office space for rent. Business Centers There are short-term business centers in Bahrain which can be used either prior to moving into a permanent office or for short-term consultancies and projects. All short term business centers listed below are located in or in proximity to the city s business and financial center and are set up with office furniture, meeting rooms, phones, internet connection, IT infrastructure, faxes and printers. The Business Hub REGUS Business Center Seef Business Center H3SIXTY

3 Other international agents that provide office space for rent include: Search Office Space Office Broker office-space/bahrain-serviced-offices.html Bahrain_Office+Space+To+Rent_1.htm Serviced and Virtual Offices Bahrain has a well-developed corporate sector, therefore, it has some options on virtual office and serviced apartments. The following websites offer information on these types of rental arrangements: Servcorp Smart & Virtual Offices Bahrain Financial Harbour th Floor Al Jasrah Tower Tel: Regus Center Almoayyad Tower Tel: Office Furniture There is no shortage of office furniture suppliers in Bahrain, the most popular being: Bukannan Furnishing Mohammad Jalal Group Business and Exhibition Centers Bahrain has an authority responsible for exhibitions called the Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Authority ( The exhibitions are held at the following venues which have world-class facilities Pico World Bahrain International Exhibition Center

4 KEY SUPPLIERS Workforce HOW TO FIND YOUR WORKFORCE AND TEMPORARY STAFF The high productivity of Bahrain s workforce is attributable to the country s advanced education system, which is designed to produce skills in line with the requirements of the private sector. Bahrain s workforce is considered amongst one of the most highly skilled in the region. Bahrain allows foreign workers to work, this is done almost exclusively on a temporary basis. Expatriates are generally not allowed to become part of the permanent population. The following websites are valuable resource for posting jobs and finding suitable employees: The Gulf Talent ArabRec Gulf Jobs Azrek Coreo Bayt As in other Gulf countries, the small size of Bahrain and the close community connection means that the best way to find and advertize for temporary employees is through word of mouth.

5 KEY SUPPLIERS Visas and Permits HOW TO OBTAIN NECESSARY LABOR VISAS AND PERMITS Visas and Permits The movement of foreigners is tightly controlled in Bahrain, and issuing of visas and other permits is subject to strict procedures. All nationals of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states and British citizens (by birth) may enter Bahrain without a visa and receive an entry stamp in their passport. British citizens can stay for a month and gain a short extension by applying to the Directorate of Immigration and Passports, Bahrain International Airport, PO Box 331, Manama (Tel: ). Nationals of all other countries require a visa whether on holiday or business trips or intending to live and work there. For any visa type, the documents required to enter Bahrain are: A passport valid for at least six months and at least three, sometimes four photocopies At least six passport-sized photographs Birth certificates for all family members Medical certificate in the case of workers Foreigners working in Bahrain must have a certificate to show that they re in good general health and free from HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. The following site helps a visitor apply for visa electronically and also provides all information related to the visa process (including information on sponsors): Tourist Visas Bahrain has a burgeoning tourist industry and is keen to promote this further. Tourist visas are issued for stays of two weeks to citizens of the European Union (EU), Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and the USA. Applicants must possess valid, up-to-date passports and a return or onward ticket. A small charge is made around BHD5 (US$12) and hotels can arrange visas if given advance notice. Visitor Visa These visas require the sponsorship of a Bahraini, who has to apply to the Directorate of Immigration and for Passports on the visitor s behalf. Visitor visas are valid for a month and cost BHD22 (around US$54). They do not allow employment.

6 72-Hour & Seven-Day Visas These are obtainable at the point of entry for short stay business visitors and cost around BHD10 (US$24) and BHD15 (US$36) respectively. The applicant needs a return or onward ticket and a valid passport. Business Visa Those intending to stay longer than a week on business must obtain a business visa through the Bahrain embassy in their own country. Business visas are valid for up to four weeks. The applicant must complete an application form and present his/her passport, photographs, an employer s letter indicating the purpose of the trip and a letter of no objection or a no objection certificate (NOC) from a Bahraini sponsor. The duration of the visa varies depending on the nature of the trip. Work Visa In order to be able to take up employment in Bahrain, a work visa is required which is normally valid for one or two years. This also entitles the applicant to reside in the country. A medical examination is required and fees are applicable. The sponsor company is normally responsible for arranging most of the necessary paperwork. The visa for expatriate workers is issued by Ministry of Labor s Employment Directorate and may be subject to numerical restrictions set by the Ministry. Bahrainisation requirements apply to companies who hire ten or more expatriates. Information on work permits is available from the website of the Ministry of Industry & Commerce: Post+Registration+Services/WorkPermits Import/Export Permits Bahrain, considered to be one of the countries following an open-market philosophy, has earned the reputation of being the Gateway to the Gulf. Its small size and importance of trade and commerce ensures that the government keeps a beneficial and benign regulatory environment. Export and Import permits are dealt by the Ministry of Commerce. Necessary procedures: Documents preparation Customs clearance and technical control Ports and terminal handling Inland transportation and handling Required documents for import/export: Bill of lading Commercial invoice Commercial registration certificate Packing list Technical standard/health certificate

7 COUNTY INFO CENTER 2010 Wamda Ltd. These documents may be shared but may not be used for commercial purposes, nor copied or reproduced in any format without permission from Wamda. All cited information is subject to the copyright laws of the source.