Bank Account in Bahrain mandatory for expats?

Member since 17 October 2019

FRossyMember17 October 2019 10:18:36

Hello everybody,
my name is Fabio I am from Italy.
I have been offered a job position聽 by a foreign company operating in Bahrain so I started collecting some information.
One issue is related to the bank account in Bahrain. Is it mandatory to have it? I mean, can the salary be fully paid in an account outside Bahrain or is there a minimum salary which must be paid in Bahrain?

Thanks a lot for your help
Ciao
Fabio

XTang Bahrain/UAE/KSA Expert

Member since 22 April 2014

XTangBahrain/UAE/KSA Expert17 October 2019 10:26:11

11965

Well, yes and no.

There is no requirement to open a bank account for any expat who is here on a residence visa.聽 That is entirely your choice.聽 And if you have an agreement with your employer, your salary can be transferred offshore.聽 In practice, they don't generally do that except for very senior roles - because of costs and complexity that is involved in that.

However, there is a recent initiative of a WPS (Wage protection system) that is planned to be rolled out this and next year, by the Government.聽 This will make it mandatory for the employer to transfer an employee's salary into their bank account.聽聽By salary, I mean, the amount that is listed on your offer with LMRA and is subject to GOSI deduction with SIO.聽聽Any amount above that is free to be transferred anywhere - but again subject to agreement with your employer.