I am starting a new position this year in Bahrain. I was told that a medical test will be done in order to recieve work visa. I am just curious as to what the test entails and what they are testing for. I was also told it makes a difference also were you come from, is this true and if so what if you are western?

Sampson,

I did the medical recently. It includes Xrays, eye test, BP, heart beat, general medical etc and the doctor will give acertificate. Fairly straight forward and the whole process was over within an hour in my case.

Not too sure if they have different sets of test depending on where you come from etc. For myself I am a British citizen of Indian origin.

Hi Gentleurbane,

Please tell us in steps how things will move from your arrival in airport to getting your all formalities done, including Medical. Please also tell us how much does it take to complete each of the step.

It will be a great help to the forum members and also for me, if we know the process of settling step by step especially CPR and medical processes.

Yashin

ok here you go.
1. when you reach you can either come with all the papers with you, or do the simplest way ( I di the second). When I reached airport there was a guy waiting before immigration for me with the visa papers. Go to immigration with this along with your passport as usual , bingo, he stamps it and you are out in to the scorching heat..!
2. Once you are in country the first thing is to get your CPR done and the residence visa stamped in the passport. Your office will have ppl to do it. From your side you need to fill in applications, provide pictures (carry a lot of them you will need them for other stuff like licence etc anyway)
3. As a pre requisite for the above you need to undergo a medical as I mentioned in my earlier mail. Your office will make arrangements for the same, the process takes a couple of hours. I had a local gentleman sent along , I guess this cheerful guy was instrumental in ensuring a quick process for me...I took a couple of hours end to end including travel , that means the medical might have taken an hour or so.
4. CPR took two days.(done by office)
5. Residence Visa is applied for after this and takes another 2 days.(again done by office)
6. European/American licence holders could get a bahraini one without a driving test. All it takes is 25-30 BD and an eye test at the issuing centre.
7. All in all you are up and running in a week's time.
8. Do remember you need your CPR and Residence Visa to be able to open a Bank account.

the above might look a bit scary , but trust me , it is not that bad actually..

cheers...

Yes. I also got my CPR and Medical done. Pretty much followed the same steps as you have. Looks scary to start with, but things get in place with time and your persistence.
yashin