Where is it best to have your Salary paid while working in the Mid East?

**sodum** · 19th July 2010 05:56

If you have a "Direct Deposit is a Condtion of Employment" clause in your contract, and the company decides for whatever reason, that you owe them something, they can take it directly from your account.

Bottom line is to have an account that only serves as a transit point for your paycheck. Transfer the funds out at 00:01 hrs on payday.

**process** · 7th September 2010 19:45

Brilliant, thanks.

To add to this... If going in on a business visa, you can't open a bank account or rent a car.

**latm** · 8th September 2010 08:18

I don't think that is true. When I first came I opened a savings accoount with ATM without even a tourist visa. That was a number of years ago, but I suspect that it is still possible, based upon what others have written on here.

I have never tried to rent a car, but I have never had an problem renting on in any country I have visited, so I suspect that tourists would be welcome at just about all of the car rental companies.

**process** · 8th September 2010 23:37

Hmm don't know abotu that. There's no such thing as a tourist visa for Saudi. And I've been told that a business visa gets you no 'iqama', which = no bank account / car rent

**latm** · 9th September 2010 00:26

Sorry, in the wrong country.

**process** · 17th November 2010 16:18

To clarify...

No Iqama = No bank account (unless your recruiter has contacts)
It is possible to rent a car without an iqama

As for tax...if you get recruited after the start of the UK tax year (April) you can transfer funds to a UK account & avoid tax.

& some questions for those in the know...

Do the compounds have propper beer or is it all home brewed?

To have a good beer & cheap woman, where is it best to go? Bahrain - a little expensive? Maybe better to get a flight to Dubai or Beirut?

**tomcat** · 17th November 2010 16:27

Originally Posted by process

Do the compounds have propper beer or is it all home brewed?

...home brew, unless you have military/diplomatic connections...

...beer and women are expensive in the Gulf for obvious reasons...if they are priorities, better to look for employment somewhere other than Saudi...

**process** · 17th November 2010 17:33

not priorities mate...more like the odd luxury!

& I'm already here... Tossing up Bahrain, Dubai or Beirut for a little R&R ><

**tomcat** · 17th November 2010 20:39

...Beirut has a fascinating history; the other two have...expatriates chasing after drink and whores...

**process** · 17th November 2010 22:49

So better off going with the other 2 yeah

**jimbo** · 18th November 2010 00:54

Originally Posted by process

Do the compounds have propper beer or is it all home brewed?

Both and don't need DQ connects anymore....just a wallet.

---------- Post added at 01:54 ---------- Previous post was at 01:53 ----------

go with bahrain over dubai. bah is cheaper all around.