moving to qatar (partly IT related)
Hello,
I'll be moving to Qatar in a few months time for a period of a bit less than a year. Of course I have many questions.
My most important questions are regarding my partner. I suppose we need to be married for him to come along? Are there any restrictions on how old that marriage must be?
Furthermore, he's selfemployed but only needs a computer and internet to work. Is it a problem to transport a computer via UPS or a similar service to Qatar or would taking a notebook along on the plane be better?
Will expat accomodation have internet at all?
I think I read somewhere that the whole country only has one IP address. Might there be problems with connecting to certain services and servers outside the country?
And two more short questions for me:
Is contraception available in Qatar or do I need to bring that along, if I'm aloud to import it?
And is good high-level sun protection available? I'm thinking of > factor 50 and waterproof. I guess I won't be walking around in short sleeved shirts and shorts, but I do need something for hands, nose, etc...
Yes, I see. A friend did this in another country for a while. But he only needed to drive over the border and back again. No need for flights.
I'm still waiting for answers from HR. Is it common practice that companies help partners with business visas? There must be a solution I guess. At least in my business there are so many people abroad, and so many people's residence permits depend on the partner being in that country as well that I cannot imagine there's no solution. Legally, my partner would not be able to stay in the country we're now and could neither live in the country of my employers headquarter unless he tries to find work locally (difficult with the current economic downturn) as it's both not EU.
a visa trip costs MONEY, you pay for a flight to Dubai or Bahrain, and stay in the airport until the next flight back to Doha. Then you pay again for a new visa on arrival.
Oh, the Visa run might actually be the easiest thing for my soon-husband if he cannot get a business visa. We're currently also in company accomodation and he'd need to move out here as soon as I leave. And the rental situation here is so sad that he'd not get a room for the meantime. Besides, his residence permit is also tied to mine.
Has anyone here some experience with that practice? How long does that visa trip normally take and might there be problems of any kind?
If your partner has an EU passport he can get 1 month visa on arrival for a small fee and can renew this visa every month by doing a 'visa run' to Dubai/Bahrain
"only mad dogs and englishmen go out in the midday sun"
your partner does need a visa to be able to enter the country. if your employer can issue a business visa for him, and u on the work visa, then you can come together. but if you're sponsoring him, then you have to come first, then process the family visa for him -- if you're married that is.
perhaps you can bring a few supplies of pills for a month, and your husband can bring some more when he comes to join you. by that time, you would have already spoken to several pharmacists here.
good luck !
Thanks a lot for all your answers. Very kind of you.
Regarding the contraception: is there a Doctor I could send an email to to ask if my specific brand is available? It's such hassle to change to a different one, which might or might not have side effects.
My questions regarding residence permits and partners are circulating round at HR now until they found the right person ;)
Do you think it might be possible that I at first cannot bring my partner along because he needs to wait for a visa, or can he wait within Qatar?
Anyway, I'm really looking forward to this, first time living outside of Europe :)
your partner with you.
Yes you can bring your laptop (best choice). So far the only ISP here is Qtel. If you need special acces to some websites blocked/not allowed by Qtel you can go to their office and ask for your IP to be unblocked (of ocurse if those sites are not porn or other strictly prohibited)
Sun protection is available
Contraception also available unless you use something particular or special medicine. Here you have pharmacies and doctors in all specialties jus in case.
Welcome and Regards!!
No restrictions on the age of your marriage, it could be the same day.
Transporting a PC could be expensive, he can buy a PC or laptop here, they're not that expensive.
Accommodation may or may not include internet, you could always subscribe to ADSL (starts at QR200/mo - US $55)
No problem about connecting anywhere, only WEB access appears as being from one IP address, but every connection has its own, and can access any service anywhere (SMTP, POP3, Telnet, SSH, Skype, AIM, Yahoo, MSN, Messenger ....)
Contraception is available.
There's not much sun these days, I don't know about sun protection, but I expect you'll find what you need.
Sunflower, yes you will need to be married if you and your partner wish to live together in Qatar. You will need to have permission from your employer to sponsor your husband and sometimes that process can be difficult (ask tallg.) You will need to have documentaion of your marriage, again, ask your employer what is required. Some housing has internet, others do not but can be ordered from Qtel but it can take a while to set up - I believe you may have to have your RP to get it installed. Your HR person can advise you on your accomodations. You may bring your computers with you, no problem, they are also available here. I've never had a problem connecting to overseas websites. And don't worry about sunscreen, it's here also.
Mandi