How to Invest in Index Funds & ETFs (Middle East & Global Expats)

In this video, we explore how to invest in index funds (ETFs) from the Middle East (UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt...), as an expat, or from any country outside the US or the UK.

ETF investing is the best way to build wealth and grow your money in the stock market.
As per Warren Buffett, by investing passively in a broadly diversified low-cost index fund, complete beginners can easily outperform the vast majority of professional traders over the long term.

For most expats and Middle East residents, the best way to invest in index funds for retirement is by buying and holding Exchange Traded Funds or ETFs that can be traded using a stock broker.

Therefore, in this video, we briefly cover how to invest in ETFs with the best stock brokers available for Middle East residents and expats. These brokers include Interactive Brokers, Swissquote Bank Ltd, Swissquote Bank Europe, and Saxo Bank).

We also tackle a couple of common investment mistakes most ETF investors make when starting their investment journey (and how to avoid them).

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⏱ CHAPTERS ⏱
00:00 How to Invest in Index Funds
01:14 What's an ETF?
01:49 Step 1: Open a Trading Account
03:16 Step 2: Fund Your Account
03:58 Step 3: Buy Your ETF
05:11 Common Investment Mistakes

#WiseInvestor #ElieIrani #indexinvesting #etf

ℹ️ ABOUT ℹ️
My name is Elie Irani and my mission at Wise Investor Middle East is to help regular people save and invest money (by themselves) to achieve Financial Independence.
I share money tips, resources, and guides on how to invest sensibly in the stock market using the "Bogleheads" simple investment approach in low-cost index funds and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). This proven investment strategy is backed by academic evidence and is endorsed by the best investment experts like Warren Buffett, John C Bogle (aka Jack Bogle), and many others.
Although the channel content is timeless and universal, we cater primarily to Middle East residents and global expats.

⚠️ DISCLOSURE ⚠️
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. In addition, I sometimes review or link to products or services that I use and believe you might find helpful. Wherever possible, I use affiliate links. This means that if you use my link to make a purchase or subscribe to the service, I might earn a small referral bonus (at no extra cost to you). All opinions remain my own.

⚠️ DISCLAIMER ⚠️
All information is provided on an "as-is" basis. This is NOT financial advice.
While Wise Investor Middle East, Elie Irani, and all associated persons have researched and reviewed the information provided to the best of their ability, no warranty is made with respect to the accuracy, completeness, suitability or validity of any information in this content.
All parties expressly disclaim any responsibility for any liability, loss, damage, risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any information provided in this content.

[wiseinvestorme]

Watch the complete beginner's guide to investing here:

[alijasim]

it is a great video, specially that middle east content is hard to find. thanks for your effort sir.

[anujasherchan]

Thank you so much for explaining so well

[dimagodfrey]

Doing God's work Ellie. Thank you

[constantinosiacovou]

Great video! Straight to the point for ETF investors!
Thank you!

[lanalane]

Many thanks, Elie! Following your wise pieces of advice on the FB Group, nice to e-meet you now as well.

[younesboukellal]

Thank you for your video a couple of questions related to Sarwa
1-Can you transfer your portfolio from Sarwa to another broker platform if someone leaves the UAE ?
2-what commission are applied on Sarwa for ETF investment ?
3- are we really buyng rhe ETF asset or a contract with Sarwa to follow the price of the ETF similar to CFD contract on etoro where you dont really own the asset but just a contract that follow its price on the platform
Thank you

[hahano]

Thanks a lot Elie for all your work to spread financial literacy in our corner of the world.

I was thinking of starting with either option 1: VWRA+IGLA or option 2: V80A. I'm an Iraqi expat but I'm not sure where I would be retiring yet. I wonder if you have any feedback on this.

[Dr.RajanGoyal]

Hi, thanks for sharing concise tips on investing.
I opened an account with Interactive brokers but wasn't able to buy ETF. It prompted me to upgrade to a Margin account (I currently have a Cash account). Is the way to go?

[hamzakashmiri]

Which one is better among swissquote Luxembourg or Switzerland?

[VishreshShiva]

Thank you for this video, I am from Qatar. Can you please clarify, are my returns taxable if I buy VWRA ETFS through Interactive Brokers?

[marafat]

Thank you, very valuable information, I am using IBKR for a while very good platform

[NegMit]

Such great video to help beginners to understand better 👌

[truthteller]

Can u invest in nasdaq in international brokerage in Kuwait?

[luappadilla]

Well explained.. Ellie, can you please make a video on how to use the interactive broker? Like step by step. Thanks.

[midnight-matches]

If we use something like Sarwa and buy stocks (not ETFs) like Apple, Google… does the same tax issues apply? Or these are specific to ETFs?

[faizanwajid]

I have been working in middle East for like 3mounths now and I'm looking to invest in middle East and I'm looking for some securities that would give me return and would slowly start investing in trading

[anthonymourra]

Thank you Elie for this great video! Can you please advise what would be the most cost-efficient way to fund/transfer money to IBKR? As per my understanding, Emirates NBD charges AED 105 for international transfers made in AED currency. Based on your experience, what is the best way with minimum fees?

[therckstar]

Thanks for your insight, im stuck between Swissquote Bank and Interactive brokers, I read somewhere that swissquote has higher fee's however I am trying to justify why theirs could better than IBKR.

[thameemyousuf]

Can you do a comparison video of diff brokerage sites..pros and cons