The magnificent twin island of Antigua & Barbuda offers you relaxed refinement, turquoise sea waters, luxury ships, and big-shot residents. Hence, many tourists in the country. The population is still a bit small at only 85,000. However, it has been a high-end tourism destination for more than 70 years, remaining well-preserved while offering many of the conveniences smaller islands cannot.
The major industries, which account for the country’s gross domestic product are petroleum refining, aluminum, banking, agriculture, etc. in terms of tourism, the nation has the largest underwater theme park in the world, Dive Bahrain, and the biggest single-site aluminum smelter. Faced with a decline in oil production, it began petroleum processing and refining and ended up transforming itself into an international exporter of refined petroleum, raw aluminum, and iron ore. Due to the strict policies and religious laws, there are only a few job opportunities open to expats, which is why finding work here can come as a challenge for foreigners who are not highly skilled or experienced.
Because of the competitive job environment, there aren’t many options for expats. This page gives expats in Bahrain advice on finding work.
Types of jobs
The emergence of new forms of working systems is gradually taking over the typical weekdays working in an office setting. These forms are remote, part-time, hybrid, internship, contract-based, freelancing, seasonal work, etc. Thankfully, they are available in major industries where foreigners are allowed to work. Industries where expats can find work include but are not limited to tourism, petroleum, refinery, mining, etc.
Finding work as a foreigner
Despite the rate of unemployment, there are job vacancies in native and offshore companies, local warehouses, mines, refineries, banks, etc. carrying out business in the kingdom. The current method of looking for work among expats is hunting for openings on LinkedIn, websites like Indeed, glassdoor, etc., career pages of sought-after corporations, job groups on Facebook, job sections of local newspapers, etc. With these options, foreigners can find and apply to numerous jobs categorized to their fields of interest, level, job type, and work experience. As a result of the few positions available, only practiced migrants who meet up to the requirements employers want are employed. The last method an expat can try is networking: finding out about vacancies from relatives, friends, or foreign networks working in the desired company.
Work requirements for expats
The country offers employment to expats staying within and outside its territory. However, with the small number of openings available, employers often hire only trained and expert people for well-paying positions. If you do not meet this requirement, do not panic. Expats with no degree have lots of short-term jobs in the hospitality industry open to them. They do not require much education but they do not pay well compared to professional jobs.
Language skill
The official language is Arabic. Thus learning to speak English and Arabic before relocating is advisable for expats looking to communicate better with other residents around them and those thinking of staying permanently. Foreigners who are fluent in English have the odds in their favor of being employed, as native English speakers with TEFL certificates and teaching experience are sought after to teach English in native schools in the Kingdom.
Work visa/permit
After securing a job, expats residing outside the Gulf must apply for a work visa at a Bahrain embassy or consulate before relocating. This visa approves the entry of such an employee into the country for a certain period. Work permits are issued by the ministry of foreign affairs to domestic employees and emigrants.
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