Visa has introduced its Visa+ service in Bahrain, enabling users to send money to Visa cardholders across the GCC using just the recipient’s mobile number. Initially available through Benefitpay, the service is offered to customers of Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB) and Khaleeji Bank.
Bahrain becomes one of the first global markets to adopt Visa+, showcasing its readiness to embrace innovative financial solutions and enhance digital-first experiences. With Visa+, customers of BisB and Khaleeji Bank can transfer funds to Visa debit and prepaid cardholders in other GCC countries using only a mobile number, eliminating the need to share sensitive details like debit card numbers (PAN) or IBAN, thus enhancing security and convenience.
The initial rollout focuses on enabling seamless cross-border transfers from Bahrain, UAE, and Qatar, involving BisB, Khaleeji Bank, Emirates NBD, and Qatar Islamic Bank. This marks the beginning of a broader initiative to create a connected network of banks across the GCC, eventually expanding to Pakistan and EU countries, facilitating cross-border remittances for more users globally.
Abdulwahed AlJanahi, CEO of Benefit, emphasized the importance of this partnership with Visa, marking a significant step toward innovation in the fintech sector. He also expressed gratitude to Visa, BisB, and Khaleeji Bank for their collaboration.
Ahmed ElKaffass, Visa’s Country Manager for Bahrain, highlighted that Visa+ would transform remittances, simplify money transfers, and reshape the landscape of money movement in Bahrain. The service aims to offer a secure, convenient, and fast solution for individuals and institutions, enhancing the overall remittance experience.
