The installation newcomer’s Area Orientation (AO) and Inter-Cultural Relations (ICR) briefs are required for active-duty and civilian personnel.Family members are encouraged to attend. The course will cover information about Bahrain, the local area and intercultural relations.

To sign up, email: Bahrain.newcomers@me.navy.mil

In Bahrain, uniforms are not permitted to be worn off base.

If you are PCSing to Bahrain for longer than three months, you must have a visa issued into your official passport to legally stay in the country. Use this visa when entering or exiting Bahrain. The installation Immigration Office issues Bahrain visas.

In addition, you must obtain a Central Population Registry (CPR) card which is the identification needed for contracts and registrations in Bahrain. This includes things like vehicle registration, internet and other utilities. After attending AO and ICR briefs, visit the installation Immigration Office to obtain your CPR card.

Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA)

• Personnel who are paid E-5 and above are required to book lodging at the Navy Gateway Inn and Suites (NGIS). If NGIS rooms are not available, personnel must obtain a certificate of non-availability and may book a hotel off base.

• Personnel who are frocked E-5 and below will be assigned lodging in barracks.

Personnel in the NGIS or off-base hotels will receive a Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) entitlement for the actual cost of lodging for up to a maximum of 45 days. It is required that you pay your hotel up front in 10-day increments, and request the TLA reimbursement from the Housing Office. A final zero-balanced receipt must be filed with your final request. Civilians reconcile on a 30-day cycle (up to 90 days).

The Navy Exchange (NEX) has a small commissary area located on the first floor of the Freedom Souq. NEX privileges are available for military and civilians on orders to work in Bahrain. For alcohol purchases, you must be 21 years old or older and can sign up at the customer service counter for the ration program; bring your orders and military ID. The commissary is open daily 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Off-base grocery stores include large supermarkets, convenience stores and specialty markets.

• LuLu Hypermarkets, Alosra Supermarkets and Al Jazira supermarkets are large grocery stores that offer off-base home delivery.

• HyperMax is a hypermarket with groceries and other home goods.

• Cold stores are convenience shops with a small selection of grocery items.

• The Central Fish Market and adjacent Central Vegetable Market downtown Manama open daily at 4 a.m. and are the best places for fresh seafood and produce.

There are lots of options for quick meal delivery in Bahrain. Here are a few apps to try:

• Talabat

• Ahlan

• Jahez

• Pre-register for on-installation childcare at www.militarychildcare.com.

• Begin DoDEA school registration at www.dodea.edu/registration.

Getting an account through the Navy Federal Credit Union will eliminate headaches when paying bills, transferring money, making purchases, getting cash and managing funds between U.S. dollars and Bahraini dinar.

NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION Navy Federal Credit Union is the only financial institution on the installation. However, Western Union is available at the Navy Exchange. ATM Locations On Base:

• NFCU ATM #1 Bldg 261: Ground floor next to Navy Federal branch office.

• NFCU ATM #2 Bldg 261: First floor next to the Wi-Fi Lounge and movie theatre. NFCU ATM #3 Bldg 263: Outside of the Housing Service Center at the Pavilion/ Shawarma Truck.

DEBIT & CREDIT CARDS

Most Bahraini businesses accept debit and credit cards, but a few may not. Currency exchange rates may apply. • It’s always best to carry Bahraini dinar when off installation. • There are sometimes transaction fees when using debit cards, so having cash can bemore economical.

PAYING BILLS The most common way to pay bills for Bahraini services such as rent and utilities is through a Navy Federal Credit Union account. You will need to withdraw funds in U.S. dollars equivalent to the amount in Bahraini dinar in the form of a cashier’s check, and then take the check to the Dinar Exchange office where it will be converted into a Bahraini’s dinar check.

If you are not a Navy Federal member, you may cash a personal check at the Personnel Support Detachment (PSD) cash cage, or withdraw funds in U.S. dollars from an ATM and then visit the Dinar Exchange.

MWR Dinar Exchange Bldg. 261 (Freedom Souk), 1st floor Hours: Open daily, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Dinar Exchange offers monetary exchange services such as currency exchange, rent and EWA checks, vehicle registration, export, bill payments, driving license, CPR issues and renewals and traffic offenses.

If you need help managing financial or family affairs back home, or have U.S.-based legal problems that arise during your stay in Bahrain, the Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) EURAFCENT Detachment Bahrain is here to help you.

RLSO BAHRAIN Bldg. 100, room 110 DD Phone: +973-1785-4237 | DSN: 318-439-4237 Email: nsa.legal.assistance@us.navy.mil

Key legal issues for personnel coming to Bahrain:

• Special Powers of Attorney (SPOA): If you are coming to Bahrain unaccompanied or need people to act on your behalf while you are away, generate your own SPOA online at www.jag.navy.mil/legal_services/SPOA.htm and get it notarized at the RLSO office.

• Likely to give birth in Bahrain? A marriage certificate is required to issue a child’s birth certificate. Contact RLSO Bahrain for other specific requirements you should be aware of before giving birth in Bahrain.

• Other legal issues: Wills and estate planning, divorce, non-support (child or spouse), child, custody, adoption, paternity, landlord and tenant problems, consumer fraud or abuse, military rights and benefits, naturalization and immigration, etc.

• Benefit Pay is an app that allows users to pay and transfer funds using their smart devices in Bahrain in a fast, secure and convenient manner. Conditions required: CPR Identity, local bank account (ila bank is highly recommended) and a local phone number with active SMS.

For safety and command recall purposes, you are required to have cell phone service while in Bahrain. Upon arrival, switch your phone to airplane mode to avoid unexpected charges until you establish service. Your American phone must be unlocked to use in Bahrain.

WI-FI COMMUNICATION When you first arrive, it is helpful to use one of these popular texting apps that are free to use over Wi-Fi.

• WhatsApp • Facetime • Signal • Facebook Messenger

U.S. NUMBER Some U.S. providers offer international rates that you can add on to your current plan. This option allows you to keep your U.S. phone number, but may require occasional verifications to ensure you can receive messages.

BAHRAINI PROVIDERS Many people prefer using a pre-paid service or plan option with a local provider in Bahrain. This allows you to purchase a SIM card that includes a large amount of data to use within a single month. You can then set up automatic monthly payments with a web account, or add data as needed online, at grocery and convenience stores, and at SADAD kiosks.

• STC Bahrain—offers cell phone plans, home internet with broadband, mobile and fiber, plus car and device insurance. STC users can enjoy discount coupons for entertainment with the STC App.

• Batelco—offers mobile and home internet with fiber, mobile broadband and fixed line options.

• Zain Bahrain—offers mobile plans and home broadband, plus discount coupons using the Zain App.

Welcome to Bahrain