Bahrain NOC/ work permit
#1
need a new teeshirt
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2008
Location: Bahrain
Posts: 170
Bahrain NOC/ work permit
Hello all..I finally took the plunge after 7 months of tedious negotiation (they finally broke me) Was wondering how long the visa process takes in Bahrain. They started the process about two weeks ago I believe and my NOC still hasn't been approved. If the govt bureaucracy is anything like my employers my kids are going to miss the first month of school..
#2
Re: Bahrain NOC/ work permit
Hello all..I finally took the plunge after 7 months of tedious negotiation (they finally broke me) Was wondering how long the visa process takes in Bahrain. They started the process about two weeks ago I believe and my NOC still hasn't been approved. If the govt bureaucracy is anything like my employers my kids are going to miss the first month of school..
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: BAH
Posts: 109
Re: Bahrain NOC/ work permit
^^ Dutchie, there's a few less roundabouts these days - slowly being replaced with traffic lights (incredibly slowly in some places!)
heartofdarkness - re the NOC, hubby's was scanned and emailed to us before we left (contract was only signed about 6wks prior) and the hard copy was waiting at the airport when we arrived. Things have changed a bit recently with visa processing (I'm not sure of the changes exactly), so perhaps things have changed with that.
heartofdarkness - re the NOC, hubby's was scanned and emailed to us before we left (contract was only signed about 6wks prior) and the hard copy was waiting at the airport when we arrived. Things have changed a bit recently with visa processing (I'm not sure of the changes exactly), so perhaps things have changed with that.
#4
need a new teeshirt
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2008
Location: Bahrain
Posts: 170
Re: Bahrain NOC/ work permit
thanks..so it looks like I've got a bit more of a wait...and I heard its rather pleasant there now!
#5
Re: Bahrain NOC/ work permit
^^ Dutchie, there's a few less roundabouts these days - slowly being replaced with traffic lights (incredibly slowly in some places!)
heartofdarkness - re the NOC, hubby's was scanned and emailed to us before we left (contract was only signed about 6wks prior) and the hard copy was waiting at the airport when we arrived. Things have changed a bit recently with visa processing (I'm not sure of the changes exactly), so perhaps things have changed with that.
heartofdarkness - re the NOC, hubby's was scanned and emailed to us before we left (contract was only signed about 6wks prior) and the hard copy was waiting at the airport when we arrived. Things have changed a bit recently with visa processing (I'm not sure of the changes exactly), so perhaps things have changed with that.
#6
Re: Bahrain NOC/ work permit
Bahrain is a great place to be, loads of expats mostly UK. Great night life and eating out possibilities. A little pearl in the Middle East.
Dutchie
#7
need a new teeshirt
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2008
Location: Bahrain
Posts: 170
Re: Bahrain NOC/ work permit
I'm really looking forward to it, another adventure..its the wife and kids that are apprehensive
#8
Re: Bahrain NOC/ work permit
Believe me, once they "discover" Bahrain you have a second full time job keeping them indoors. Also for kids, mega loads to do over there as I remember.
#9
need a new teeshirt
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2008
Location: Bahrain
Posts: 170
Re: Bahrain NOC/ work permit
Macteepee..where you able to travel with your husband and stay in Bahrain with his NOC while residency permit was being proceeed? Im being told that family would have to leave for a week while thier visas processed, which can't be done till I have an RP..thanks
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 44
Re: Bahrain NOC/ work permit
Hello all..I finally took the plunge after 7 months of tedious negotiation (they finally broke me) Was wondering how long the visa process takes in Bahrain. They started the process about two weeks ago I believe and my NOC still hasn't been approved. If the govt bureaucracy is anything like my employers my kids are going to miss the first month of school..
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: BAH
Posts: 109
Re: Bahrain NOC/ work permit
So basically, no I never had to leave - but every company probably does things a bit differently. As I've mentioned before, I'm sure the ladies on the EW board would be more helpful re family visas..
#12
Re: Bahrain NOC/ work permit
No one will have to leave in order for permits to be processed. Depending on your nationality you can get a visit visa on arrival which will then be transferred to your residency. It all depends on the company which your employers use to do visas, some (as in Macteepee's) will try and hold on the your passport for ever and day. If you pull them up on it they are usually all smiles and apologies though. IMHO I wouldn't give them my passport until the day they are actually going to stamp the visa in it, they can make do with photocopies until then. Don't know how your employers will be if you do that but mine were brilliant.. it lit a fire under their *ss and it got done quick smart!
#13
need a new teeshirt
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2008
Location: Bahrain
Posts: 170
Re: Bahrain NOC/ work permit
I'm American as my kids. My wife is Singaporean. I will be working for a local bank. What HR is telling me is if my family travels with me initially, they will have to leave the country for ten days while the family visa is procesed. This seems to contradict everything I am hearing. School starts on Aug 20. I'm still waiting for NOC and starting to panic!
#14
Re: Bahrain NOC/ work permit
Both Singaporian & American passport holders can get a visa on arrival or you can get it on the internet.
http://www.evisa.gov.bh/
If you do get it via the net, make sure not to get it too far in advance because it is only valid for a certain time after you purchase.
The visa is only valid for two weeks but can be extended once here. I have never heard of a company asking the family to leave for ten days though. I am in the process of organising new visas for someone at work so will ask the agency tomorrow if they have heard of it before.
Good luck!
http://www.evisa.gov.bh/
If you do get it via the net, make sure not to get it too far in advance because it is only valid for a certain time after you purchase.
The visa is only valid for two weeks but can be extended once here. I have never heard of a company asking the family to leave for ten days though. I am in the process of organising new visas for someone at work so will ask the agency tomorrow if they have heard of it before.
Good luck!
#15
need a new teeshirt
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2008
Location: Bahrain
Posts: 170
Re: Bahrain NOC/ work permit
thanks..much appreciated