BCG ME global transfer opportunities

Question

Hi everyone,

I recently got an offer from BCG ME, and had a question about global mobility and transfer opportunities.

I’ve heard that:

It can be quite difficult to transfer out of the Middle East to other offices
There are relatively few cross-border projects compared to other regions

I’d love to hear from people with first-hand experience:

Typically, after how many years can you apply for a transfer? Any specific criteria for application?
Are there any short-term / long-term mobility programs that people from ME have joined?
Any concrete examples or success stories would be super helpful
How can one best build skills and position themselves for a future transfer?
What’s the most effective way to grow a global network while being based in ME?

Thanks a lot in advance!

Answer 1

Congrats!

You can transfer, but transfers are not that easy.

Typically, they happen after 2-3 years of tenure, when you already have a value proposition of some sorts.

And they happen because you have the support of some Partners from your target office who make a case for wanting you in their office.

Otherwise, you can always try to put more emphasis on international staffing (going mostly for projects abroad, which you can express as an option) or go for temporary (6-12 month) temporary transfers (with these, if you develop the right network, they could turn into permanent transfers as well).

Since you're starting in consulting soon, you might also find these two guides useful:

Best,
Cristian

Answer 2

Hi there,

Congrats on your BCG ME offer. You’re right that global mobility can be a bit trickier from the Middle East compared to some other regions, but it’s definitely possible. A few points that might help:

Timing & criteria: Formal office transfers usually happen after ~2 years, when you’ve built a strong performance record and sponsor relationships. Offices will look at your reviews, capacity in the destination office, and your own case portfolio
Mobility programs: BCG runs global secondments and short-term mobility initiatives (like “Project Abroad” or “Ambassador” programs) where you can work in another office for 6–12 months. People from ME do get placed in these, though competition is high
Success stories: I’ve seen colleagues move to London, Europe, and Asia after proving themselves on demanding ME projects and building connections with partners in those regions. It’s less about where you start and more about consistently strong performance and having advocates
Positioning yourself: Focus on building a skillset that’s in demand globally (e.g. digital, energy transition, PE, transformation). These travel better than purely local public-sector experience
Networking: Proactively reach out to peers and managers you meet in global trainings, practice area events, and cross-staffing opportunities. Staying plugged into functional practice areas (like TMT, Energy, etc.) also helps create bridges beyond the ME region

So while the path might not be automatic, if you deliver well, align with a global practice, and actively nurture sponsor relationships, a transfer is very feasible within a few years.

Feel free to reach out if you need further advice :)

Best,
Evelina

Answer 3

Hey there :)

Congrats on your offer! From what I’ve seen, transferring from BCG ME is possible, but usually after you’ve spent at least two years in the region and shown strong performance. Offices prioritize local staffing, so you need to establish yourself first before mobility opens up. Short-term secondments (a few months in another office or on a global project) are sometimes easier to get than full transfers, and many people use those as a first step.

Success stories do exist, but the ones that worked best usually had a clear business case (unique skills, language, or client needs) or strong relationships with partners in the target office. Building a global network is key: join regional/global projects when they come up, take part in BCG’s functional practice areas, and actively reach out to colleagues abroad.

So in short: mobility is definitely possible, but you need to perform well, invest in relationships, and be patient for the right window.

best,
Alessa :)

Answer 4

Hey, huge congrats on the offer! That's awesome.

You've heard a lot of things about transfers, but the short answer is that it’s totally doable.

I actually did a global transfer myself back at McKinsey, and I can tell you the most important thing is not a formal program, but the network of sponsors you build.

My advice is simple:

Become a top performer in your home office first. That's the non-negotiable part.
Start networking on day one. Proactively seek out cross-border projects and build relationships with senior people from your target office. You need people who know your work and will go to bat for you.

Do that, and you'll be in a great position when the time comes.